This stage marks the first entry of data into the project.

• Capture Immediate Provenance: Record the experimental context, instrument settings, calibration status, and measurement uncertainty immediately to ensure accurate interpretation and future validation.

• Select Long-Term Formats: Prefer open, text-based formats over proprietary, binary ones.

  • Text & Spreadsheets: CSV, TSV, XML, JSON, PDF/A.

  • File Containers (Bundled with Metadata): HDF5, NetCDF, DICOM.

  • Graphics: Uncompressed TIFF, SVG (vector), PNG.