What is Data Sgp?
Data sgp is the process of gathering and analyzing large amounts of geochemical data in order to answer scientific questions about Earth history. It is often thought of as a subset of big data, which refers to datasets that are too large to manage using standard relational databases. Compared to the enormous volumes of data involved in big data analyses, however, our sgp project is actually quite modest.
The first goal of the sgp project was to assemble and analyze multi-proxy sedimentary geochemical data (iron, carbon, sulfur, trace metals, major ions) from global time slices covering the Neoproterozoic through Paleozoic epochs. The resulting dataset is currently being used to test new hypotheses about Earth history. It is also being used to train machine learning algorithms to help identify key drivers of global tectonic and biostratigraphic evolution, including the relationship between lithosphere-mantle interaction and plate tectonics.
Since then, the sgp project has continued to assemble and analyze a variety of geochemical data sets for specific research questions in Earth history. The project is now leveraging this dataset and its analytical results to work towards its next goals, which are to expand the coverage of the data set and develop innovative ways of incorporating it into broader scientific analyses.
In addition to its core function of enabling operational analysis, the sgp database serves as a repository for geochemical datasets and metadata. This makes it easy for researchers to access data from the project and use it in their own research. It also allows for sharing of data and analyses with a wider audience. This dataset and the analyses it supports are available to anyone with a web browser.
As a result, the sgp database has become an important resource for many academic and government researchers in the United States and internationally. The database and the sgp analyses are continually being enhanced to improve performance and usability. For example, the sgpData_CONTENTS table provides useful statistics about how students have progressed in particular content areas over time. This can be helpful in identifying problem areas and developing strategies to address them.
Another useful feature of sgpData is the ability to create student growth percentile reports using data from the state. These percentile reports provide an accurate gauge of student progress by comparing students to their “academic peers”. Academic peers are defined as all other students in the same grade, subject, and assessment who have followed a similar assessment score path. The sgpData_PERCENTILE data set and function package make it simple to quickly create these reports. This information can be shared with teachers and families to highlight student achievement and support instruction. This information is particularly useful for identifying student growth in academic subjects where instructional strategies may be lacking. For example, a student whose mathematics growth is below the 3rd percentile might need extra support in this area. The data can then be used to identify additional resources or training for students.