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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Could you please provide the full name of MaDiPHS and explain what it is?

MaDiPHS means Malawi Digital Plant Health Service Project. This project aims to establish a digital agricultural plant health service at the national level in Malawi, based on coordination of internationally developed digital systems. The Malawi Digital Plant Health Service (MaDiPHS) Data Catalogue manages the collection and sharing of agronomy meta (data), crop pest and disease data, topo-edaphic (landforms and soil conditions), data for weeds, weather data and knowledge libraries to be searchable by metadata and tags like pests, diseases and crops.

How do I access the MaDiPHS Data Catalogue?

You can access the mobile-friendly platform by clicking on this link (https://ckan.madiphs.org/)

Who can use the MaDiPHS Data Catalogue?

The platform is available to data holders in the agricultural sector

What are the benefits of using the MaDiPHS Data Catalogue?

The MaDiPHs Data Catalogue serves as a tool that will enhance crop yield and sustainability by making agricultural data more discoverable, accessible, and reusable. By facilitating knowledge sharing - this Data Catalogue helps farmers and researchers implement more efficient and environmentally friendly farming practices by making data-driven decisions.

How do I find data on the MaDiPHS Data Catalogue?

Start by searching on the open data portal. You can filter your search further by topic, division, and other attributes in the catalogue’s left sidebar. If you can’t find what you need the first time, try searching with different keywords.

What do I do if I run into an error when I download a file?

If you find a problem with a file, please report it by filling in the form in the MaDiPHS project contact us page. Please include the name of the data sets and a detailed description of the problem – the more details we have, the more we’re likely to be able to help you. Be sure to verify that you have the right software to open the data set before notifying us, as we are unable to provide user support for the data itself. If you have questions about dataset contents, check with the division that publishes the data itself for specific questions. You’ll find the relevant publisher’s contact information listed to the left of every dataset.

Can I preview data before downloading it?

Some of our datasets are enabled with extended visualization capabilities! Please note that this feature is only available if the data set was uploaded to our CKAN datastore. We encourage every division to load their data directly from a source system so they can take advantage of special features like instant visualization.

Is personal information private?

Metadata information included is visible, only if you select ‘Public’ and it is made private if you select ‘Private’. Hence, personal information included in metadata section can be visible or made private.

What are the licensing arrangements and restrictions for open data?

In accordance with our Open Data Policy and License, you can copy, redistribute, and use the material for any purpose, providing you give appropriate credit, include a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.

How can I get more information about a dataset?

While every effort will be made to request the additional data, please keep in mind that divisions/agencies will not necessarily be asked to change their business methods to facilitate requests to collect new data but rather asked whether the data you’re requesting is already collected, in which case it may be added to the Open Data Portal. In some cases, you may need to submit an FOI request for more specific data or historical data that may not be available through our open data catalogue.

Can I request a specific dataset?

Feel free to contact us by filling in the form in the MaDiPHS project contact us page.

How do I download a dataset?

Start by searching on the open data portal. Once you find what you’re looking for, scroll down to the “Download” tab and select the format you’d like.

How do I report a problem with a file?

If you find a problem with a file, report it to us directly by filling in the form in the MaDiPHS project contact us page. Please include the name of the dataset and a description of the problem. Please be sure to verify that you have the right software to open the data set before notifying us. We do not provide user support for the data.

What is a “Data Type”?

A “Data Type” refers to the format or method in which the data is presented on the dataset package page.

  • “Document” refers to a static form of data often found in Word or Excel files.
  • “Map” denotes data presented in a Geographic Information System (GIS) format, which can be used to visualize and analyze geospatial information. Usually this data has coordinates in either Lat/Long or XY coordinate systems.
  • “Table” indicates that the data is organized in tabular form, often as a result of a direct connection to the source system, facilitating easy reading and analysis.
  • “Website” refers to a type where the user is redirected to an external website to download or view the raw data.

What is a “License” in the context of Open Data?

  • A “License” in the context of Open Data refers to the legal framework that outlines how data from the Open Data portal can be used, reused, and distributed. has context menu

What is the meaning of the acronym FAIR in MaDiPHS?

FAIR is an acronym for Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable data.

Do I need to register to use the MaDiPHS Data Catalogue?

You can access the MaDiPHS Data Catalogue and use it without logging in/registering. However, you are unable to update, upload, or make any administrative changes to metadata records if you haven’t signed into your account.

Do I have restrictions on using the data and resources found in the catalogue?

Kindly check the licenses attached to each data and knowledge resource to know the boundaries in which you are able to use each date/resource.

How do I find a resource that helps me understand a specific dataset?

Reaching out to contacts information provided in the metadata information section would be a good place to start as the data owner would be able to interpret the dataset efficiently/accurately and respond to inquiries regarding this.

Could you please, in simple language, provide the procedure one can follow to navigate through the catalog to find information?

The MaDiPHS Catalogue consists of five menus which can aid navigation, and they are: * Datasets  * Knowledge Products * Organizations * About * All resources

How can I become an admin for my department? How can I add members to MaDiPHS? Can any organization register on the MaDiPHS data catalog if they have data that the project can use?

At the moment, you would send a request to H.Mibei@cabi.org or b.beddie-memberr@cabi.org to facilitate the creation of your admin accounts for your organization. In the coming months, you would be able to do this by registering/signing up on the MaDiPHS Data Catalogue.

How can I provide feedback to the data I have accessed in MaDiPHS?

The quickest way to do this is by reaching out to the contact information provided in the metadata information/or reaching out to the point-of-contact for the data owners (organization/department).

Could you please differentiate between data, metadata, Knowledge Product and information?

  • Data: Data represents raw elements or unprocessed facts, including numbers and symbols to text and images.
  • Knowledge product/resource: these are guides, materials, resources e.g. Factsheets, case study publication
  • Information: You get information when data is processed, organized, interpreted, and structured.
  • Metadata: Metadata is defined as the information that describes and explains data. It provides context with details such as the source, type, owner, and relationships to other data sets.

Why should I use MaDiPHS data catalogue?

The MaDiPHS Data Catalogue will help organize and manage your metadata; providing a clear, searchable inventory of data assets and knowledge products. This makes it easier to find, understand, and use data within the boundaries of licenses provided, ensuring consistency, and improving data governance.

Can I use MaDiPHS data catalogue as a research reference source?

The MaDiPHS data catalogue itself is not typically used as a direct research reference source. Instead, it's a tool for discovering and understanding datasets and knowledge products shared by organizations. However, you can use the datasets and knowledge products found through the MaDiPHS Data catalogue as reference sources in your research. When doing so, you should cite the original data sources and any relevant details provided in metadata information.

Does MaDiPHS Data Catalogue include crop diseases in Malawi?

Yes, use the search box to search for this information.

Reference Number in metadata section, what is it used for?

‘Reference number’ (in the metadata section) gives users the opportunity to provide assigned Persistent Unique Identifiers (PIDs) to your data assets e.g. ORCID, DOI - and include the reference number in the metadata section; https://www.doi.org/ , https://orcid.org/

What type of data /information can I upload and access to MaDIPHs?

It is advisable to upload data assets and knowledge products that have clear licenses attached to them.

Can I edit/add/correct some misinformation/incomplete information on some data/resource on this platform? Or to whom do I report?

You can manage metadata information/data assets/knowledge products/organization information by going into the platform and clicking on manage

How do I restrict datasets from being accessed?

You can restrict access by making data assets private; this makes it only accessible to your organization only.

What do I do if access to a dataset I want to download is restricted?

Reach out to the contact information provided in the metadata information for this data asset entry.

How can I identify a suitable license for my dataset? How can we add/remove a license to a dataset?

A simple to use tool is the https://chooser-beta.creativecommons.org/ to choose the right license for your dataset and then, select the license recommended in the chooser tool and include this in the metadata section.

Are there restrictions to usage of data available on the Data catalog?

There may be, to identify restrictions, please have a look into the license section to identify attached licenses.

In case I need more data than what I am getting from the catalog, is there a chance to contact the owner of the data?

In the contact information you are able to get contact information to reach out to data owners.

Can FAIR principles be applied to other fields of data generation cycles?

Yes, the FAIR principles — Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability — can be applied to various fields beyond Agriculture. These principles are relevant to any domain involving data generation, including healthcare, finance, education, and even cultural heritage. By applying FAIR principles across different fields, data becomes more standardized, easier to share, and more useful for a broader range of applications, enhancing collaboration, transparency, and the overall impact of data-driven insights.

Can we add datasets at any time to this platform using the credentials given?

Yes

Is there a cost associated with using the MaDiPHS Data Catalogue?

No, the MaDiPHS Data Catalogue is a free tool.

Can I delete the dataset of a different organization?

No, only super-admin can do this