Standardizing Algorithm Documentation For Improved Scientific Data Understanding: The Algorithm Publication Tool Prototype

Abstract

Algorithm Theoretical Basis Documents (ATBDs) are documents which accompany Earth observation data products generated from algorithms. While ATBDs are essential to scientific reproducibility, these key documents are not standardized and are often difficult to find. In this paper, we present the prototype Algorithm Publication Tool (APT), a cloud-based ATBD authoring and editing tool for NASA’s Earth science data systems. A standardized ATBD information model is also described as well as lessons learned from developing the prototype tool.