UTLS OZONE Data Protocol

The aims of the Data Protocol are:

• to encourage rapid dissemination of scientific results from UTLS OZONE.
• to protect the rights of the individual scientists funded by UTLS OZONE.
• to have all the involved researchers treated equitably.
• to ensure the quality of the data in the UTLS OZONE data archive.

These aims conflict at times, and it is hoped that the provisions of the protocol resolve these conflicts fairly. It is recognised that this cannot always be achieved to everyone's complete satisfaction; there are bound to be cases where individual interests clash with those of the UTLS OZONE programme. Therefore to try to meet these aims, all PIs involved in UTLS OZONE, in accordance with and on behalf of their co-investigators, must agree to abide by the following conditions:

1. Preliminary data must be made available to other UTLS OZONE scientists as soon as possible. There are 2 advantages to quick release a) planning of the future phases of the mission can be greatly improved, and b) scientific evaluation of the data can occur in a timely manner.
2. Any corrections or amendments to the preliminary data should be announced as soon as possible.
3. Validated data must be made available to other UTLS OZONE scientists via the BADC within 6 months of creation. The data will then be made available to the public domain 18 months after its submission to the BADC. Exceptions to these times will be outlined in the Implementation plan.
4. Results of model studies using data acquired during UTLS OZONE must be made available to other UTLS OZONE scientists via the BADC. The time scale for submission is the same as that for validated data, as outlined in point 3.
5. Data submitted to the BADC must be in the data format agreed between UTLS OZONE PIs and the BADC. All agreed metadata describing the data must also be supplied.
6. It is each PI’s responsibility to ensure that the data used in publications are the best available at that time.
7. All scientists involved in UTLS OZONE are to have equal and complete access to measurements and model results produced during UTLS OZONE.
8. If measurements or model results from other research groups within UTLS OZONE are used in a publication, joint authorship must be offered. This does not necessarily have to be accepted, particularly in cases where due credit and acknowledgement can be given in other, possibly more appropriate, ways.
9. Whilst the data is restricted from the public domain (see point 3), each PI has the right to refuse to allow his/her work, whether measurement or calculation, to be used in a publication or presentation prior to the PI’s own publication of that work.
10. Whilst the data is restricted from the public domain (see point 3), no data should be transferred to a third party without the originator’s consent.
11. In the event of dispute the final decision rests with the UTLS OZONE Scientific Steering Committee.