Have you got an AMDI Database question?
Our Database Team is always happy to answer queries and general questions regarding the AMDI App and Database. In this article, we’ll shine a spotlight on some of the more frequently asked questions to streamline your database entry process.
Don’t forget – we have many resources on our website, and our YouTube channel has a series of videos that focus on specific items. There are also some Database Guidelines available on the website that will help with most issues regarding inputting data, and our How to Use the AMDI App video is great if you’re just starting out or need a refresher on how to use the app.
We’d like to thank everyone that is contributing data to the AMDI Database which recently clicked over 17 million data points from more than 3,000 clean-up sites across Australia. With your support and effort, the AMDI network has collaboratively created the most comprehensive marine debris database in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest in the world. The data is being used at local, state, national and international levels to help identify the regional differences in the marine debris picture, and more importantly, source reduction strategies to stop marine debris at the source. This vital resource wouldn’t be available without your support, so a massive thank you to all our AMDI partners. If you need to talk to the AMDI Database team, please email data@tangaroablue.org
Question 1 – I can’t log in to the AMDI Database.
The most likely cause of this is that your internet browser doesn’t support the AMDI Database platform. We recommend using Google Chrome as your internet browser with submitting and accessing data in the AMDI Database.
Question 2 – I can’t log in to the AMDI App on my device.
Most of the time, the issue is that the device that you’re using to log in is automatically capitalising the first character in the log-on email. Emails and passwords are case sensitive, so please check this first if you’re having this issue. If you’re still having trouble, reach out to us at data@tangaroablue.org.
Question 3 – I can’t upload my data, it’s stuck on the submit screen?
Sometimes the database won’t allow a dataset to be submitted if a data field is entered in a format that isn’t compatible with that field; or if there are too many photos in the dataset (please only submit images of items of interest); or if you have entered too much text in a notes field. In these cases, you may see an “Object Object” error at the bottom of the submit screen. You will need to check that you have entered data correctly, including that you haven’t used any decimal points in the data items field (most commonly found when people are recording rope or fishing line – just round to the nearest full number), and that photos are all in JPEG formats. Keep your notes brief, and if you need to give us more information, send it through in an email. Extra photos can also be submitted via email.
If you are using the AMDI app, please make sure your mobile data is on if you are not connected to Wi-Fi to submit your dataset.
Still stuck? Take screenshots and email the data team for support.
Question 4 – How do I access AMDI data?
The Access data portal can be used to find data about clean-ups in different areas and timeframes. The “Dashboard” has lots of information including how many AMDI-registered clean-ups have been held in Australia, the top 10 items collected, and the number of items removed. The information you access can be refined further by applying a spatial filter. Click on the map located on the left of the screen. A window with a larger map will pop up, and you can draw a polygon around your region of interest for the search. This will return some regional level data including top 10 items for that area and time. Some clean-up details including location, kilograms of debris removed, and number of items can be found by selecting the clean-up tab. This is useful in comparing regions and timelines.
The raw data submitted by the data contributor is available at any time. Data owners can request a full download of their data by emailing the data team. If, however, you would like to access data that you did not submit, you will need to fill in a Data Request Form.
Thanks to everyone who is submitting data and using the app. We want to help you become Database rockstars, so if there’s anything we can do to help, please reach out to us at data@tangaroablue.org.