Getting Started with MaRIP Shared Resources
The Shared Resources Folder is a Google Drive folder containing all MaRIP SOPs, templates, field sheets, and reference materials. You can either access most resources directly from the links below, or alternatively access the entire Shared Resources Google drive folder and use the READMEs to guide you.
If this is your first time working on a MaRIP project, follow instructions below, completing each step as you go.
If you are already familiar with the setup and just need to find something, skip to the Quick Reference & Downloads section at the bottom of the page.
Before you start
Collaborative marine research - spanning multiple fieldtrips, analysts and projects - only works if everyone organises their data the same way. Standardised systems mean your data can be combined with others’, quality-checked consistently, and used to answer questions at a scale no single project could manage alone.
To support this, MaRIP uses three core tools:
Template Folder Systems (TFS) - standardised folder structures that organise your resources, project data, fieldtrip data and extraction outputs. See below figure for the full layout, but we have two main TFS:
- 1_resources: folders that stores all resources, downloaded once and reused across projects.
- 2_project: folder structure that organises everything associated with a project, fieldtrip, samples and extraction.
Unique Identifier Codes - every sample, fieldtrip and project gets a consistent unique code (e.g. 22-04_ab_sbruvs_001) so data can be sorted, tracked and integrated across teams.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) - step-by-step guides for every phase of a MaRIP project, from field setup to data archiving. Organised by role and method so you only need the ones relevant to you.
Once you are set up (see below), more details on these core tools can be found in SOP1a: Project Setup & Data Management - available directly from your 1_resources folder (once set up) or view it here.
Set Up Your Workspace
Choose Your Setup
Follow the instructions below or use the Project setup decision tree to choose the right setup for your workspace. Your goal is to create the folder structure shown in the diagram below by downloading the two Template Folder Systems from the MaRIP Shared Resources: 1_resources and 2_project.
Figure 1: Workspace layout showing the Template Folder Systems (TFS): 1_resources TFS (grey) has all SOPs and templates; 2_project TFS (orange & green) organises your project, fieldtrip and data extraction data. 1_resources TFS is downloaded once to a central location and reused across projects/fieldtrips; 2_project TFS is downloaded and renamed per project/fieldtrip. The orange arrow shows the Metadata Workbook copy path for users going into the field
Step 1: Do you have a populated 1_resources folder?
- No -> create a main folder on your local workspace (e.g. BRUVs_Projects), download the 1_resources TFS. Use the Shared Resources layout to understand where everything is kept, and the SOP Decision Tree to identify which SOPs apply to your role and methods. You can delete any resources that are not relevant to you. The full list of SOPs is available in the Quick Reference & Downloads section below.
- Yes -> proceed to Step 2
Step 2: What do you need to set up?
Option 1: Full new project (permits, ethics etc.)
- Download the 2_project TFS to your local workspace (e.g. BRUVs_Projects > 2_projects)
- Rename the project & fieldtrip folder using the project & fieldtrip unique identifier codes (e.g. Algoa Bay > 21-03_ab)
- Copy (if you have more than one method per fieldtrip) the method folder and rename to match the method(s) that will be used (e.g. sbruvs, landers, dovs, rovs, dropcam)
*If you plan on doing future projects or fieldtrips, keep a copy of the empty 2_project / 2_fieldtrip folder for future use.
Option 2: New fieldtrip only
- Download the 2_fieldtrip TFS from within 2_project TFS to the relevant project folder in your local workspace (e.g. BRUVs_Projects > 2_projects > 2_fieldtrip)
- Rename using the fieldtrip unique identifier code
- Copy (if you have more than one method per fieldtrip) the method folder and rename to match the method(s) that will be used (e.g. sbruvs, landers, dovs, rovs, dropcam) *If you plan on doing future fieldtrips within the same project, keep a copy of the empty 2_fieldtrip folder for future use
Option 3: Video analysis only
- Create a project > fieldtrip > method folder structure in your workspace alongside your 1_resources folder
- Rename according to unique ids and methods (e.g. BRUVs_Projects > Algoa Bay > 21-03_AB > sbruvs)
- Download the 3_data_extraction folder from within 2_project to the relevant method folder in your workspace (2_project > 2_fieldtrip > method > 3_data_extraction)
Step 3: Going into the field?
- Yes -> copy your project/fieldtrip TFS onto a prepared hard drive before departure. Before leaving ensure:
- A copy of the relevant metadata workbook is saved in 2_fieldtrip > method > 2.1_field_metadata > 1_metadata and renamed using the fieldtrip unique identifier code (e.g. 21-03_ab_sbruvs.xlsx). Follow the orange arrow in Figure 1 above to guide you.
- Field sheets are printed (Metadata workbook and field sheets are found in 1_resources > 2_sampling_resources -> select your method folder)
- Alternatively copy 1_resources to the hard drive if you need offline access to SOPs and reference materials in the field
- No -> work directly from your local workspace (laptop or NAS). Access raw data (e.g. footage) from the institution’s NAS when on-site, or from a hard drive when working remotely.
Step 4: Read the Relevant SOPs for Your Role
Once your folder is set up and populated, read through the SOPs you downloaded. Each SOP contains detailed step-by-step procedures for your specific role and method. If you are unsure which SOPs apply to you, refer back to the SOP Decision Tree or get in touch and we will point you in the right direction.
Quick Reference & Downloads
Already familiar with the setup and just need to find something? Use the tables below to jump straight to the resource you need.
Folder Templates
| Folder | Link |
|---|---|
| Shared Resources Folder | Open ↗ |
| Template Folder Systems | Open ↗ |
| Project Folder | Open ↗ |
| Fieldtrip Folder | Open ↗ |
| Data Extraction Folder | Open ↗ |
Standard Operating Procedures & Resources
| Resources | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| SOP1a | Project Setup and Data Management | Open ↗ |
| SOP1b | Quality Control | Open ↗ |
| SOP1c | Calibration | Open ↗ |
| SOP2a | BRUVs sampling | Open ↗ |
| SOP2b | Landers sampling | Open ↗ |
| SOP2c | ROVs sampling | Open ↗ |
| SOP2d | DOVs sampling | Open ↗ |
| SOP2e | DropCam sampling | Open ↗ |
| SOP2f | CTD sampling | Open ↗ |
| SOP3a | Stationary video analysis (BRUVs | Landers) | Open ↗ |
| SOP3b | Video transect analysis (ROVs | DOVs) | Open ↗ |
| Attribute file | EventMeasure species attribute file | Open ↗ |
| Metadata template | BRUVs metadata templates | Open ↗ |
Developers
Author & maintainer: Angus van Wyk, Author: Elodie Heyns-Veale, Author: Anthony Bernard
