The following protocols for the database was discussed and agreed upon by the participants. In the event that additional changes become necessary, all data base contributors and users will be notified through the Newsletter. This protocol will be distributed with any data sent from the APDB to a user.

A - Data

1. Data must consist of the original counts, not percentages or digitised data.
2. The data base must contain the original taxonomic identifications, with the exception of exact nomenclature synonymy. As primary entries, taxa will not be lumped into higher taxonomic groups in the database. For practical reasons, higher level hierarchies will exist within the database in two ways: the first will be according to pollen morphology, the second according to plant taxonomy.
3. Data will be accepted only as non-restricted and will be available for all users.

B - Contributors

1. Can request for a verification of the data in the bank. As a matter of general policy, the central data base should routinely return to the originator of the data a hard copy printout of the data as entered in the database for optional verification by the originator.
2. Can obtain copies of application software and the database itself for use on his/her own computer.
3. Should receive a periodic, bilingual (French/English) Newsletter or report concerning the data base.

C - Users

1. Should cite, in any publication using data from the database, the contributors' original publications and/or APD sources.
2. Should acknowledge the contributors of unpublished data used and any advice such contributors might have provided.
3. Normal ethics pertaining to co-authorship of publications applies. The contributor should be invited to be a co-author if a user makes significant use of a single contributor's site, or if a single contributor's data comprise a substantial portion of a larger data set analysed, or if a contributor makes a significant contribution to the analysis of the data or to the interpretation of the results.
4. The data will be available only to non-profit-making organisations and for research. Profit-making organisations may use the data for legitimate purposes, only with the written consent of the majority of the members of the Advisory board, who will determine or negotiate the payment of any fee required. Such payment will be credited to the APD.

Last updated $Date: 2001/10/12 09:37:46 $