[Esip-preserve] FYI: my paper on equivalence

[Curt Tilmes]

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2011.04.057

Distinguishing Provenance Equivalence of Earth Science Data

Abstract

Reproducibility of scientific research relies on accurate and precise 
citation of data and the provenance of that data. Earth science data are 
often the result of applying complex data transformation and analysis 
workflows to vast quantities of data. Provenance information of data 
processing is used for a variety of purposes, including understanding 
the process and auditing as well as reproducibility. Certain provenance 
information is essential for producing scientifically equivalent data. 
Capturing and representing that provenance information and assigning 
identifiers suitable for precisely distinguishing data granules and 
datasets is needed for accurate comparisons. This paper discusses 
scientific equivalence and essential provenance for scientific 
reproducibility. We use the example of an operational earth science data 
processing system to illustrate the application of the technique of 
cascading digital signatures or “hash chains” to precisely identify sets 
of granules and as provenance equivalence identifiers to distinguish 
data made in an an equivalent manner.