What is it?
The observation form is what data contributors see when they record a new observation. It contains all the fields they need to fill out, matched to the right equipment and units. The form isn't just for Water Rangers testkits either. If your program uses other equipment, that can be mapped out in the form as well.
Why is it important?
A well-built observation form does two things: it makes life easier for data contributors and helps keep your data clean. When you assign equipment and units to a parameter, the platform automatically applies limits based on what that equipment can measure. If someone tries to enter a value outside the normal range, the system will flag it before it becomes a problem. Read more about our QA processes here.
Laying out the form in the order data gets collected also makes the whole experience smoother and more intuitive.
Beyond the contributor experience, the form captures important metadata about the equipment being used. That means anyone who wants to work with your data will have a clearer picture of how it was collected, making it much easier to compare the data across datasets.
Who is responsible in your organization?
The dataset administrator sets up the observation form when the dataset is first created, and can edit it at any time. Water Rangers offers ready-made templates based on our most common testkits, which are a great starting point. Data contributors cannot edit the form.
How do you do it?
If you’re a data collector
Data collectors cannot make changes to dataset forms. However you can view the form used by any dataset. Navigate to the dataset of interest and scroll down to the Data and methods section. Click View form to see what parameters are tested and what equipment is used.
If you’re a dataset administrator
When setting up your dataset, you'll be prompted to create your observation form. You can start from one of our templates or build from scratch. Add parameters as needed, and make sure the equipment and units you select match the tools your contributors are using.
To edit an existing form, head to your dataset and click "Edit dataset" in the light blue menu at the top left.
If you don't see the equipment you're using listed as an option, reach out to us. We add reputable water monitoring tools that meet Water Quality Exchange (WQX) standards.