Full document / COSOC-W-86-002 - the National Sea Grant Library

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The applications expected of the LEO data and the willingness 'if
the volunteer observers determine the collection period and frequency
of observations* As a minimum, observations should be made four
times a weak ovor a period of a year to generate a useable data set.
Data Processing and Storage
Before being converted to a standard computer-readable format,
the LEO data sheets, as they come in from the field, are visually
checked for proper coding of date and location and for obvious
errors. The forms are then sent for keypunching. During computer
processing LEO data are passed through an edit routine that checks
for unreasonable values and flags those particular values. The
observer Is then contacted and requested to verify or correct
questionable data. After these corrections are oade, the LEO data are
archived in a data base that is presently stored on magnetic tapes.
Data Retrieval
The LEO retrieval system is a computer-baaed system that perforins
three functions; data retrieval, data analysis, and report generat
ing. The system Is designed to be Interactive and self-tutorial. It
guides the user through various steps of retrieving a data set for a
particular location and time period from the data base and then uses
this data set to produce available statistical reports. The reports
may be displayed at the user's terminal or directed to a high-speed
printer.