How to access data
e-RA provides two types of access to data from the Rothamsted Long-term Experiments National Capability.
| Open Access Datasets (OADs) | e-RAdata* | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Form | On first download, there is a form to fill in, but none of the fields are mandatory. We do not ask for email or confirmation of identity. The form lasts for seven days after first login. |
This requires registration for a password. |
| Cost | Free | Free** |
| How long is the form? | Simple and brief | Detailed |
| Confirmation | None needed. Instant access to dataset | A team member will contact you |
| Login info | Not required | Username and Password are prepared by a team member You will receive details to login to e-RAdata. Please allow up to five working days. |
| Description | Summary OADs = summary data or selected plots/years with limited supporting metadata. |
Provides access to daily meteorological (met) data and additional LTE data not yet formatted as Open Access Datasets (OADs). It also provides access to original digitised data not included in the OADs. |
*e-RAdata is the new name of the e-RA Data Extraction Tool (DET): if you already have an account with us, you do not need to reapply
**For large commercial requests we charge a fee to cover staff time for preparing a dataset.
Open Access Datasets (OADs)
These are curated datasets accompanied by metadata and supporting documentation to support interpretation and re-use by dataset users. However, while the e-RA curators have made every effort to provide sufficient documentation to allow users to independently use these datasets, users are still strongly encouraged to contact the e-RA Data Curators for support if needed.
Summary OADs provide averaged or selected data with some accompanying metadata and descriptions in a simple .xlsx file. These provide a summary overview of key data, findings, trends, or changes in the data averaged across a restricted number of plots and/or years. Both LTE and met data are in this format. Meteorological (met) data present daily data averaged to monthly or annual values.
Complete OADs provide comprehensive data with full metadata contained in a frictionless file format (both .xlsx and machine readable). These provide all plots and years relating to a distinct period of time in an LTE, with treatments, agronomic information and yields provided. Currently only LTE data is provided in this format.
All OADs are published with a citable DOI (a permanent unique identifier for a dataset) and are free to use under a CC-BY-4.0 license, therefore if you use the dataset you must give appropriate credit by citing the dataset using the provided citation which includes the DOI. Any reasonable changes made to the dataset must also be indicated but not in a way that suggests Rothamsted Research endorses the user or the use.
Before downloading a dataset you should read the Conditions of Use and must adhere to these conditions.
What data is included in OAD?
All LTE data is gradually being converted to Open Access Datasets, it is an ongoing process.
For LTEs, the data provided in the OA datasets may represent a subset of experimental treatments, crops or plots for an LTE. If this is the case, the data included is determined by the LTE data curators using the following criteria:
- Sufficient documentation exists to support interpretation and re-use of the data.
- Usefulness, importance, relevance and/or comparability of an experiment treatment to other treatments in the LTE or other LTEs.
- Popularity based on previous use and requests for research.
The digitised original data not included in published datasets is accessible from e-RAdata on request for access.
The daily met data is accesible from e-RAdata, and is updated on a daily basis.
How can I find Open Access Datasets?
These datasets are grouped by their LTE or meteorological station. You can find datasets either under the Experiment Data/Meteorological Data menu item above and following a link for an LTE or met station, which will display all relevant published datasets for that LTE or met station. Alternatively, under the Experiments menu item above, follow a link to an LTE or met station then click the Datasets tab. This will display the same list of published datasets.
Why am I asked to provide some information when first downloading published datasets?
Registration is free and we ask you some information for the following reasons:
- It helps us to understand who is using the data and how.
- It allows us to measure the use and impact of the LTE data and report to our funder, the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Demonstrating continuing use and impact helps to ensure this data resource continues to be funded and the data remain accessible.
- This information helps us to prioritise data curation activities.
e-RAdata
e-RAdata, the e-RA database, provides access to original LTE and daily meteorological data, once a Request access to e-RAdata form has been completed. The database is accessible online using the password protected e-RA data extraction tool.
Before requesting access to the e-RA database, please review the published datasets as these provide many of the most widely useful and usable e-RA data.
To request access please complete the Request access to e-RAdata form.
After you submit your request the e-RA Data Curators will provide a password and may contact you to identify the right data for your research question.
Please note, if your request requires significant support and time from the e-RA Curators to help in the interpretation or preparation of datasets we may request co-authorship in any research publications. For large commercial requests we charge a fee to cover staff time for preparing a dataset.
For further information and assistance, please contact the e-RA curators, Sarah Perryman and Margaret Glendining using the e-RA email address: era@rothamsted.ac.uk