How do i enter usgs lidar data citation in zotero

How to Enter USGS LiDAR Data Citation in Zotero

When working with geospatial data such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) datasets, particularly those from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), it is essential to accurately cite the source in your research. Zotero is a popular reference management tool that can help you manage and organize your citations effectively. Here’s how you can enter USGS LiDAR data citation into Zotero.

Step 1: Gather the Citation Information

Before adding the LiDAR data to Zotero, ensure you have all the necessary information, which typically includes:

• Author(s): In the case of USGS, the author could be an agency or specific person responsible for the dataset.
• Title: The specific name of the LiDAR dataset.
• Publisher: USGS or another data provider (e.g., a state agency).
• Year: The year the dataset was released.
• DOI or URL: A persistent link to the dataset, often provided by the USGS.
• Access Date: The date when you accessed the data (for online resources).
• Additional Information: Sometimes, datasets include specific metadata such as the region, survey method, or specific dataset version.

Step 2: Create a New Entry in Zotero

1. Open Zotero and ensure your library is selected.
2. Click on the green plus sign (+) in the top menu to add a new item.
3. Select “Report” from the dropdown menu (as LiDAR data is often published in report format).

Step 3: Enter the Citation Information

In the fields that appear in the right panel, enter the appropriate information:

• Author: If the dataset is created by an organization (e.g., USGS), you can enter “U.S. Geological Survey” or any specific department responsible for the data. If there are individual contributors, list them as authors.
• Title: Enter the name of the LiDAR dataset (e.g., “National LiDAR Dataset of the United States, 2020”).
• Date: Provide the year the dataset was published or released.
• Publisher: Enter “U.S. Geological Survey” or another publisher if applicable.
• URL: Paste the direct URL where the dataset can be accessed, often from the USGS Earth Explorer or other data portals.
• DOI: If the dataset has a DOI, enter it here. Many USGS datasets may not have a DOI, but they should have a stable URL.
• Accessed: This field allows you to note the date when you accessed the dataset online.

Step 4: Additional Metadata (Optional)

Some LiDAR datasets may come with extensive metadata, which can include:

• Dataset version: If the dataset has multiple versions, note the version number in the “Extra” field or under the description section.
• Geospatial Information: While not always necessary for citation purposes, keeping track of relevant geographic boundaries (like the area covered by the dataset) in the “Notes” section can be helpful.

Step 5: Save and Organize

Once the data has been entered, click the green check mark to save the entry to your Zotero library. You can organize the citation by adding it to a specific collection, tagging it with keywords (such as “LiDAR” or “USGS”), or associating it with a particular research project.

Step 6: Cite the Dataset in Your Work

To cite the LiDAR data in your work:

1. In your document (e.g., Word or Google Docs), open Zotero.
2. Select the LiDAR dataset citation from your Zotero library.
3. Use the Zotero toolbar to insert the citation into your document.

Zotero will automatically format the citation according to the citation style (e.g., APA, Chicago, MLA) you’ve selected.

Example Citation (APA Style)

For example, a citation in APA style might look like this:

U.S. Geological Survey. (2020). National LiDAR dataset of the United States, 2020 [Data set]. U.S. Geological Survey. https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eros/science/national-lidar-data

Conclusion

Zotero is a great tool for managing and citing geospatial data like USGS LiDAR datasets. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your citations are properly formatted and that you’re giving appropriate credit to the sources of your geospatial data. With accurate citations, you can ensure your research is transparent, reproducible, and properly sourced.