A future fieldworker

While she previously would note data about the behavior of her grackles in a notebook and transcribe them on the computer, she now whipped out her phone.

Armed with the most advanced research device she'd ever been able to privately buy, she starts filling out a quick form.

"Allow GPS, of course" as she creates some metadata for het data entry.

"Come here Grackie" she vents as she needs to see the ID ring.

She narrates Grackie's identifying number into the phone - "X-2-G-9."

After selecting the key measures, she mumbles as she fills out the values. "Five, seven, three, twenty." Her measurements get beamed into the dataset that will form the basis of the analysis.

The form helped streamline data collection --- not only is it impossible to edit spreadsheets while out in the field but this way Excel doesn't get the chance to convert things to dates. The form helped determine what is valid data and what isn't.

"Let's send this off to Corina, Grackie." The phone made a small  ping sound on both ends --- sent, received.

"New data!" Corina exclaimed mentally, halfway across the world and far removed from her Grackles. As primary investigator and person ultimately responsible, her sign off is mandated the research funder and institute. She understood and didn't understand how this was possible before, but for her it was simply a way to be more in touch with the team and the research.

"Thanks Marie --- this data almost completes our preregistered sample limit. I see it's already late for you --- go get some rest, please?" she sends off a minute later.

The next day is going to be exciting, for they'd already set up the data analysis beforehand. As soon as the 300th data point is approved, the data is automatically published. A few minutes later, the results.

As Corina sees the final piece of data come in over coffee with a colleague, she excuses herself and checks it for approval. One final issue needs to be resolved and she leaves a comment.

"You didn't make an audio note --- everything okay?"

Marie in the meantime found her way to a PC --- her phone had some hiccups.

"Sorry, recording now. Phone didn't work."

Corina sees the audio come in, gives it a listen, is glad to hear Marie's okay, and signs off on the final piece of the data. She leaves a 💚 reaction to let Marie know she's appreciated. After approving the data, she locks her phone before she sees the dashboard summarizing the data --- Corina usually gets sucked into a rabbit hole by then. Her colleague has been waiting a few minutes and she wants to hear the end to their story --- the dashboard will still be there when she gets to her desk.