What is Radiolaria.org?

Radiolaria.org is an online database containing information about radiolarians.

The idea behind Radiolaria.org is that anybody can contribute with their expertise, i.e. add species with images, descriptions, references, synonyms, taxonomy and links etc. Under each species there is also a discussion forum where you can post and exchange ideas, opinions, comments etc. Anyone has the opportunity to contribute from any web browser any time. Hopefully this will be an easy way of sharing and exchanging data between all radiolarian researchers.

How it works

The goal is to gather high quality information about radiolarians from all time periods and make this available online. To ensure the quality, the process of contributing data consists of the following steps:

1) A researcher prepares information for entry into Radiolaria.org.

2) The data is entered via a web browser into the system.

3) The newly added information is not made visible before a "Radiolaria web editor" has looked through and ensured the quality. If everything is ok the information is placed on the web site. If the web editor has questions regarding the information entered, the contributor of this information may be contacted. It is important to note that the web editors are not to censor information which they do not agree with, but merely ensure that the information submitted is based on published material with correct citations. Of course the web editor will not have any control over the discussion part, as this is an open source for exchanging opinions and ideas.

4) Radiolarian researchers now have access to the new information and can contribute with further information and comments.

How to contribute

Radiolaria.org welcomes you to add information to the database. Your contributions can help build this site into a useful resource for all radiolarian researchers.

Adding information can be done in several ways. A contributor can add a species by selecting the stratigraphic/geographic location where the species is known to be present and click on the “Add species” link on top of the page. This will take the contributor through several steps (pages), where different forms are filled out. In form one (Species and original description) and two (Other description), the genus and species name along with at least one description (including author and year) is inserted. Synonym(s) and Reference(s) are entered in form three, and Image(s) with related information is added in form four. All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required fields that need to be filled in order to submit the data into the system. Once the data entry is completed, the user can preview the contributed information. After approval, the data is submitted along with the contributors name and e-mail address.

A user may also add single pieces of information to a species that is already registered in the system. This is done by selecting the species of interest, locating the “Add”-link on top of each page in the submenu (e.g. Add description, Add image, Add synonym/reference), filling out form(s), and submitting the information.

When data are submitted into the system (either way described above), it is not instantly made visible on the site, but placed in an administration area and flagged for review. Web-editors are allowed to log on to the administration system (with a username and password) and check submitted material flagged for review. A web-editor is assigned a certain geographic or stratigraphic area, according to his/her expertise, and reviews all information related to this area. The role of web-editors is to ensure that the information submitted: 1) is (with regards to species descriptions, synonyms and references) based on published material with correct citations; and 2) that the images, distribution and weblinks are correctly assigned. If the web-editor finds errors, or judges the data entry to be insufficient or wrong, and needs to contact and discuss with the contributor, he/she can use the name and email that was submitted with the content. The review process (checking of submitted material before it is made online on the website) also prevents intentional sabotage by online pranksters.

Read more in the manual (pdf, 579 KB, opens in new window)

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