Data Entry Procedures

If you get data out of PETLAB, we ask that you put some data back into it, either your own or some pre-existing sample and analytical data.

PETLAB data entry template

NEW - the data entry template now accepts LAB data

The data entry template contains links to data on a GNS server which is updated every time the template is opened. You may be prompted to allow automatic refresh and/or enable macros - choose OK for both of these.
The spreadsheet template has been tested on Excel 97/2000/XP on Windows PCs and Excel 2001 on a Macintosh.

Individual users can enter and, if connected to the Internet, validate their data on the data entry sheet. PET (sample, location) data are always added to the database before LAB data. LAB data can only be loaded if there is an existing PET record.

Uploading of data can only be done by authorised collection managers. Arrangements for obtaining official collection numbers vary from institution to institution. Contact your local collection manager for details. He/she will probably want to see a complated and validated data sheet before collection numbers are issued.

GNS users
The standard procedure for obtaining P numbers and lodging samples, sections and data is as follows:

1. Ask John Simes, Hamish Fraser or Nick Mortimer for help at any stage.
2. Optionally book a sequence of P numbers in advance of filling out sample data.
3. Fill out the PET (sample data) part of the PETLAB data entry spreadsheet and validate it. If you previously booked P numbers, fill them in on the data sheet. Otherwise leave blank and you will be automatically issued with P numbers when the data are loaded. Click here to check who has booked P numbers.
4. If you want to load yourself, click the load button (GNS online login required). If you want John, Hamish, Neville or Nick to allocate P numbers and load, email them the sheet.
5. At some stage in the collection and investigation process, send an archive hand sample of 200-300g to John Simes in Gracefield. This can be done by:
   1. sending sawn and numbered offcut to John Simes at the start of a project
   2. asking Neville Orr to retain and lodge thin section offcuts in the P collection
   3. sending rocks to John Simes at the end of a project
   Some of this work can usually be done by the Rock Preparation Laboratory for you, in which case please supply a Job Number.

When a project is finished, rock powders, mineral separates and duplicate or large samples should also be sent to John Simes for safe archiving under their P Number.
Thin sections should eventually be sent to Hamish Fraser for archiving in Dunedin. Or if they will see regular specialist use (e.g. geothermal or oil well sections) they can be kept in local collections.

Analytical results (e.g. point counts, XRF, isotopes), should be entered on the LAB part of the PETLAB data entry spreadsheet. Validate and upload as above or send analytical results on spreadsheet to Hamish Fraser (again, with a job number).

PET records can be modified at any time in response to changed sample type or new analytical data.

From past experience it is much easier to carry out steps 1-5 at an early stage rather than in retrospect, and from that point on to use P numbers exclusively for all work, including in publications.