Observatory Data Quality Control – the instrument to ensure valuable research

Observatory data are the foundation for international scientific research. Valuable results can be achieved only if the data are precise and faultless. High quality instruments and a high level of ability and motivation of the observatory personnel are necessary, but a rigorous process of checking is as important for data quality control. Observatory data are useful for science only if the quality can be assured through peer review prior to publication. INTERMAGNET encourages participating observatories (IMOs) to check their definitive data before they are submitted. Furthermore, definitive data are carefully double-checked by volunteers and by the Definitive Data Subcommittee before they are published to the scientific community. This procedure is labour-intensive, but is essential to maintain a consistently high level of data quality. Different methods of data checks are described and their efficiency is discussed with consideration to the different instrument base of an observatory. Reason will be given as to why each data check is necessary and the tools available for effective data checks are described.