Method term list

metadata_elementmethodID

requirement_level

required

definition

identifier for the method used

format

only alphanumeric characters and dash "-" and underscore "_" allowed

additional_instructions

must be unique within the dataset | recommended to maintain a consistent set of methodIDs within a team or project

examples

ANION_T_AN_000 | FRZ_80C | H2Odilutionx2

metadata_elementmethod_Type

requirement_level

required

definition

the type of method

format

text | camelCase preferred

additional_instructions

use recommended vocabulary if possible | include definitions for used terminology in dataDictionary

examples

analysisMethod | storageMethod | preparationMethod | dataProcessingMethod

metadata_elementmethod_Description

requirement_level

required

definition

method description detailed enough to pass peer review in a scientific publication

format

text

additional_instructions

may refer to publication of method including any deviations and modifications applied

examples

EPA 353.2 Rev 2 | Vials were stored at -80 degC until prepared for analysis | Dissolved organic C was analyzed by the non-purgeable organic C (NPOC) method on a Shimadzu TOC-L analyzer with in-line acidification (phosphoric acid) of samples to volatilize inorganic C

metadata_elementmethod_Instrument

requirement_level

required

definition

instrument specifications: type | model | manufacturer | manufacturing location

format

text

additional_instructions

use N/A for methods that did not involve a specific instrument

examples

WestCo SmartChem 200 Discrete Analyzer | ICP-MS XSERIES 2 - 135 Thermo Scientific - Cambridge - U.K.

metadata_elementmethod_Lab

requirement_level

required

definition

name of the laboratory where the method was performed

format

text

additional_instructions

as specific as possible | may be more than one laboratory if appropriate but must be clarified what was done where in that case

examples

EMSL-PNNL | UC Davis Analytical Lab

metadata_elementmethod_LabContact

requirement_level

recommended

definition

contact details for the laboratory where the method was performed

format

text

additional_instructions

include all relevant contact information; website | email address | postal address | phone number| name of contact person

examples

UC Davis Analytical Lab; University of California Davis; CA-95616-5270; (530) 752-0147; anlab (at) ucdavis.edu

metadata_elementmethod_Temp

requirement_level

recommended

definition

temperature at which method was carried out

format

text | degrees celsius preferred

additional_instructions

recommended format is temperature in degrees celsius (e.g. 20C, 2C, -80C), but can also be "ambient", "unknown", "iced", "heated' etc that provides relevant information even if the exact temperature is not known

examples

2C | -80C | frozen | room temperature

metadata_elementmethod_Light

requirement_level

recommended

definition

light conditions for the method

format

text | camelCase preferred

additional_instructions

report if light conditions are relevant for sample integrity

examples

ambient light | dark | unknown

metadata_elementmethod_Atmosphere

requirement_level

recommended

definition

atmosphere for the method

format

text | alphanumerical preferred

additional_instructions

report if atmosphere is relevant for sample integrity or method specificity

examples

anoxic | 95to5-N2toH2| vaccuum | He

metadata_elementmethod_Moisture

requirement_level

recommended

definition

moisture conditions of sample exposed to method

format

text

additional_instructions

only relevant for solid samples

examples

dry | field moist | 30 percent water holding capacity | field capacity

metadata_elementmethod_Medium

requirement_level

recommended

definition

medium used for the method

format

text

additional_instructions

report for methods involving manipulations of the initial sample medium: extractions| dilutions | nutrient media for incubations. Must include concentrations and specific composition in method description field.

examples

N/A

metadata_elementmethod_Time

requirement_level

recommended

definition

time span for method

format

number and unit

additional_instructions

report if relevant for the method: incubation time | storage time | extraction time etc

examples

2 hours | 30 days | 20 minutes

metadata_elementmethod_Reference

requirement_level

recommended

definition

citation or link to published method description

format

text

additional_instructions

if possible provide the citation if the method has been published or a link to method description website

examples

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-08/documents/method_353-2_1993.pdf

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