Quality Control and Management of Oceanographic Wave-Gage Data
Abstract
The processing, analysis, and quality control of oceanographic wave data is a complex procedure. Quality control at each step of the analysis is vital to ensure that the results accurately represent the physical environment that was monitored. A central theme of this report is that a skilled analyst must examine the data graphically. Three of the most common sources of data errors are: 1) malfunctions of the instrument during deployment; 2) errors during data transfer to the user's computer; and 3) inadequate validation of the software used to process the data. Of the three classes of error, gage malfunction is the most serious, because often the data are irretrievable. Data- transfer problems are subtle and can usually be corrected. The software that is used to process the data must be developed and used with a sensitivity to the severe conditions that are often encountered in the marine environment. Keywords: Oceanographic data; Ocean waves; Data transfer errors; Directional wave gages; Data management; Data processing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA220769
Entities
People
- Andrew Morang
Organizations
- Coastal Engineering Research Center