Physical sampling (taking specimens) is a fundamental strategy in many
natural sciences, typically to support ex-situ observations in
laboratories with the goal of characterizing real-world entities or
populations. The ability to assign web identifiers to the digital
representations of these physical samples allows us to link to data,
literature, investigators and institutions, thus creating an “Internet
of Samples”.

This course will introduce the International Geo Sample Number (IGSN)
which has been used to provide unique identifiers for rock, fossil,
mineral, soil, regolith, plant and synthetic materials. Each IGSN
directs to a digital representation of the physical object. IGSN is used
in Universities, Museums, National Research Centres and Geological
Surveys in North America, Australia, Europe, South Africa, Korea and
Japan.

Contents of the short course:
(a) Review of the workflow of the sampling process from the field to the
recording of observations and measurements through to final publication;
(b) Show how individual samples and derivative subsamples can be
assigned IGSN unique identifiers;
(c) How these sample identifiers can be linked to multiple digital
observations and measurements recorded;
(d) How samples and data can be linked in a publication;
(e) How the IGSN can be used to determine how your samples relate to
others sampling campaigns
(f) How IGSN can be used to link your research to datasets and
publications on similar samples
(g) How to work with IGSN Agents to register new IGSN.


Please register for the short course at
https://goo.gl/forms/aZGSXnBMxNOl3iQg2.