Content models are used to facilitate interoperability by making it easy for computers to analyze data from multiple sources and multiple people without extensive interpretation. Consequently, data submitted for the National Geothermal Data System (NGDS) should conform to NGDS content models.

In order for subrecipients to submit data for NGDS via content models, subrecipients must first have data they wish to submit. In addition, this data must be accommodated by the content models. For example, there are no NGDS content models capable of supporting meteorological data. A list of content models can be found on the USGIN Schemas website.

If you are a subrecipient under the Arizona Geological Survey for the AASG Geothermal Data project, and if you have data to submit, the content model workflow is as follows:

1. If you do not have a software application that is compatible with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, you must acquire one (see Table 1)
2. Go to the USGIN Schemas website and examine the content models available there
3. Download a content model that accommodates your data
4. Assess the manner in which your data will be mapped to accommodate the content model in accordance with Step 2 of the USGIN Data Provider Workflow.
5. Map your data to the content model by populating the Template spreadsheet of the content model with data, mapping your data to the appropriate field
6. Submit your data for approval by the Arizona Geological Survey; if any changes are necessary, your dataset will be returned to you; implement the prescribed changes and resubmit your data
7. Host your data using either the appropriate AASG Geothermal Data hub or via contract-designated computing resources

AASG Geothermal Data content models are stored and submitted as Excel spreadsheets with the .xls file extension. Consequently, data providers must use a program capable of reading and writing Excel spreadsheets (Table 1) to map their data to the desired content model.

Table 1: Popular, actively maintained spreadsheet applications capable of reading and writing Excel spreadsheets

Assuming you are a subrecipient with data to submit; assuming your data can be accommodated by one of the content models listed at the bottom of the page; and assuming that you have an application capable of interacting with Excel spreadsheets, the next step is to locate and download an appropriate content model.

Continue the tutorial by clicking the links below.