Toward New Partnerships in Remote Sensing: Government, the Private Sector, and Earth Science Research (2002)

Steering Committee on Space Applications and Commercialization, National Research Council

Synopsis: Much of the remote sensing data needed for earth sciences research are now provided by private sector entities, and are made available to the federal government and university researchers through various licensing agreements and partnership arrangements. The report evaluates these arrangements and makes recommendations for how they should be structured in order to best advance science. The report explores intellectual property issues involved when private sector data is obtained for use in government and university environments. The principles developed might be useful for other fields where data generated by the private sector might be utilized to advance research.

Integrity in Scientific Research: Creating an Environment That Promotes Responsible Conduct (2002)

Committee on Assessing Integrity in Research Environments, National Research Council, Institute of Medicine

Synopsis: Provides a high-level view on research integrity and how it can be promoted. Much of the focus is on institutional approaches to education and self-assessment. Consistent with this study’s findings and recommendations on institutional responsibility.

Geoscience Data and Collection: National Resources in Peril (2002)

Committee on the Preservation of Geoscience Data and Collections, National Research Council

Synopsis: Describes the importance of geoscience data and collections and the challenges of stewardship. Develops criteria for prioritizing geoscience data and collections to be preserved, and recommends a specific strategy for doing so. A case study of the tension between devoting resources to creating new data and preserving existing data. A good example of how criteria can be developed on a disciplinary basis for making these judgments.

Assessment of the Usefulness and Availability of NASA’s Earth and Space Science Mission Data (2002)

Task Group on the Usefulness and Availability of NASA’s Space Mission Data, National Research Council

Synopsis: Calls on NASA to devote more resources and management attention to data stewardship, including ensuring compatibility with parallel data efforts such as the National Virtual Observatory. Earth and space science examples illustrating the importance of data reuse.