The INGV data registry as a curated metadata infrastructure for Earth Science data stewardship

Area of Science:

• Geophysics and volcanology
• Data science and management

Background:

• The Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) manages extensive and diverse geophysical and volcanological datasets.
• Open Science mandates require enhanced accessibility and management of these valuable research assets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement a centralized, curated metadata infrastructure, the INGV Data Registry.
• To support the FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) for INGV's distributed data assets.

Main Methods:

• Developed a metadata-only system decoupling data description from physical storage.
• Implemented a three-tiered validation workflow for metadata quality.
• Integrated Persistent Identifiers (ORCIDs, RORs) for enhanced interoperability.

Main Results:

• Established a dynamic ecosystem managing hundreds of records, each with a Digital Object Identifier (DOI).
• Ensured high-quality, interoperable metadata through rigorous validation and standardization.
• Provided a single discovery point for INGV's distributed data, accelerating scientific discovery.

Conclusions:

• The INGV Data Registry serves as a critical infrastructure for effective data stewardship in large research organizations.
• This model facilitates data availability beyond traditional publication cycles, promoting open science.
• The publicly available and citable metadata dataset supports broader research and collaboration.