Methods for Systematically Identifying Gaps in Arctic Observations to Support Operations and Research
Abstract
Observations are a critical to advance scientific understanding of Arctic systems and processes and support public services. In order to systematically identify gaps in Arctic observational coverage, it is necessary to first understand what observations currently being used and for what purposes. The 2017 International Arctic Observations Assessment Framework (IDA Science and Technology Policy Institute and Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks) presents a common structure for understanding the purposes to which Arctic observations are applied and can used to structure an assessment of which observations are currently used to meet Arctic objectives.The Framework was developed by an international group of Arctic subject matter experts (SME). It presents 12 Arctic benefit areas, 41 sub-areas, and 163 objectives to which observations contribute. The next step is to identify Arctic key products, services, and research outputs (KPSOs) that are used to achieve specific objectives and evaluate their fitness-for-purpose.
In this presentation, we demonstrate how a modified Delphi SME elicitation method can be used to determine (1) the extent to which the objectives are being achieved and (2) whether additional observations are needed. In this method, SMEs are first asked the extent to which the set of KPSOs listed, as a whole, are sufficient for achieving the objective and the adequacy of individual KPSOs for meeting the objective. SMEs are asked to quantify the adequacy of both the set and individual KPSOs using a standardized scale and swing weighting methods (NOAA technical report NESDIS 147). Next, SMEs are asked if any shortcomings are due to issues with underlying observations (e.g. geographic coverage, spatial resolution, temporal frequency) or due to other issues (e.g. data management or dissemination limitations). If the issue is observational, SMEs are asked what new observations would be needed to adequately meet the objective, beyond what is currently available, and how the provision of this data would improve their ability to meet specific objectives. This method provides a systematic identification of gaps, identifies which observations would address those gaps, and how. This information can be used to inform budgetary and programmatic decisions to develop and deploy new Arctic observations.- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AGUFM.A24K..04G
- Keywords:
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- 0399 General or miscellaneous;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTUREDE: 0434 Data sets;
- BIOGEOSCIENCESDE: 0799 General or miscellaneous;
- CRYOSPHEREDE: 4299 General or miscellaneous;
- OCEANOGRAPHY: GENERAL