It is the intention of the AKN that data be shared whenever possible, while carefully considering the tradeoffs between widespread distribution of datasets, the need to ensure data quality and validity, the privacy rights of land owners, and the intentions of the Data Owner(s). AKN, therefore, offers the following data access levels and sharing options that specify which level of access is granted by Data Owners. These are applicable to each and every record in the network individually, so that different records may have different sharing levels.
The AKN encourages its partners to anticipate that most data collected will eventually become part of the public domain. We encourage Data Owners to share data 10 years old or older without restrictions (Level 5). However, the AKN ensures that their data and tools are secure and that access is controlled based on Data Owner intent.
The following are the Avian Knowledge Network’s Data Sharing Types:
Raw
Data initially input into the AKN that has not been reviewed for accuracy. This data cannot be used in any analysis and is not available in the AKN Data Warehouse for download or the Data Catalog. Data are waiting either Biologist or Project Leader approval to be elevated to CLEAN. Only the contributing institution has access to data at this level.
Clean
Data input into the AKN was reviewed for accuracy and accepted as valid. The data will be copied into the AKN Data Warehouse for download by those affiliated with the project via the Data Downloader. The data are also available for use by the AKN Analyst Tool. The data are waiting Project Leader approval for elevation to higher sharing levels. Only project members have access to data at this level.
Approved
Data are available for use by the contributing institution (those associated with a project at the Analyst, Biologist, and Project Leader roles). Data are copied into the AKN Data Warehouse for download by those affiliated with the project.
Restricted
Information about the project associated with the records is made available in the Data Catalog. However, information about restricted records is not shared with the Data Catalog or any other AKN tools. Only the contributing institution has access to data at this level
Data published under one of the four Data Sharing Levels below are stored in the AKN’s primary data warehouses.
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Level 1 – Metadata Only
Metadata about Level 1 records are made available in the Data Catalog, including contact information, locations, survey methods, species surveyed. However, records are not used in any other AKN tools. Only project members have access to data at this level.
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Level 2 – Summarize Only
Level 2 inherits all Level 1 rules, plus allows the use of data as part of publically available visualizations and summaries without survey effort and specific count details.
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Level 3 – Share with Permission
Level 3 inherits all Level 2 rules, plus parties seeking access to full observation data and metadata detail can request permission for access from the data owner, usually within the context of a data sharing agreement between the two parties. *Level 4 is similar to Level 3 and is not applicable for most AKN users.
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Level 5 – Share Openly
Full public accessibility. Level 5 allows full observation data and metadata detail to anyone for use without the need for explicit permission from the data owner.