External Sources
Integrate Pasifika connects to 24+ external Pacific data sources, providing comprehensive access to regional information. This guide explains the different types of sources, their specialties, and how to effectively use them for your research and collaboration needs.
Source Categories
External sources are organized into different tiers based on their integration level and data quality:
Tier 1 Sources (Integrate Authorized)
Primary sources with full integration
- • Pacific Data Hub (pacificdata.org)
- • Stats Pacific Data (stats.pacificdata.org)
- • Pacific Map (map.pacificdata.org)
- • GeoNode Pacific (geonode.pacificdata.org)
- • Microdata Library (microdata.pacificdata.org)
- • Pacific Data SPREP (data.sprep.org)
Tier 2 Sources (Partner Integration)
Additional Pacific sources with standard access
- • NEXUS Pacific Data
- • Digital Earth Pacific
- • Pacific Islands Forum
- • SPC Data Portal
- • Regional organizations
- • Research institutions
Government and Statistical Sources
Official government and statistical sources provide authoritative data for policy and research:
Key Government Sources
Pacific Data Hub
Primary repository for Pacific government statistics, economic indicators, and official datasets
Stats Pacific Data
Statistical databases with population, economic, and social indicators from Pacific countries
Microdata Library
Census data, survey microdata, and demographic information from 390+ datasets
National Statistics Offices
Direct access to data from individual Pacific Island countries' statistical offices
Environmental and Climate Sources
Environmental data sources provide crucial information for climate research and environmental management:
Climate and Environment
- • SPREP Data - Environmental data and biodiversity information
- • Climate Data - Historical and projected climate information
- • Ocean Data - Marine and coastal environment data
- • Biodiversity - Species and ecosystem information
- • Disaster Data - Natural disaster and risk information
- • Environmental Monitoring - Real-time environmental data
Geospatial Sources
- • Pacific Map - Geospatial datasets and mapping resources
- • GeoNode Pacific - Spatial data infrastructure and GIS data
- • Satellite Data - Remote sensing and satellite imagery
- • Topographic Data - Land elevation and terrain information
- • Boundary Data - Political and administrative boundaries
- • Infrastructure Maps - Transportation and utility networks
Research and Academic Sources
Academic and research institutions provide specialized datasets and research findings:
Research Sources
University Research
Research datasets from Pacific universities and academic institutions
International Organizations
Data from UN agencies, World Bank, and other international organizations
Research Projects
Datasets from specific research projects and studies
Scientific Publications
Data associated with published research papers and studies
Regional Organization Sources
Pacific regional organizations provide specialized data for regional cooperation and development:
Development Organizations
- • Pacific Islands Forum - Regional cooperation and policy data
- • SPC - Development and technical assistance data
- • ADB - Economic development and infrastructure data
- • World Bank - Development indicators and project data
- • UNDP - Human development and capacity building data
- • UNESCO - Education and cultural heritage data
Specialized Agencies
- • WHO - Health and medical data
- • FAO - Agriculture and food security data
- • ILO - Labor and employment data
- • ITU - Telecommunications and ICT data
- • IMO - Maritime and shipping data
- • ICAO - Aviation and transportation data
Data Access and Integration
Understanding how external sources are integrated and accessed:
Integration Methods
API Integration
Direct API connections to external data sources for real-time access
Data Harvesting
Automated collection and indexing of data from external sources
Caching System
PostgreSQL-based caching for improved performance and reliability
Rate Limiting
Intelligent rate limiting to respect external source constraints
Data Quality and Reliability
External sources are carefully selected and monitored for quality and reliability:
- • Source Verification - All sources are verified for authenticity and reliability
- • Data Validation - Data is validated for accuracy and completeness
- • Regular Updates - Sources are regularly updated to ensure current information
- • Metadata Standards - All data includes comprehensive metadata for proper understanding
- • Access Monitoring - Source availability and performance are continuously monitored
- • Quality Assurance - Regular quality checks ensure data integrity
Using External Sources Effectively
Best practices for finding and using data from external sources:
Search Strategies
- • Use specific source names in searches
- • Filter by organization or data type
- • Check multiple sources for comprehensive coverage
- • Use date filters to find recent data
- • Search for both English and local language terms
- • Look for related datasets and series
Data Usage
- • Always cite data sources properly
- • Check data usage rights and restrictions
- • Understand data collection methods
- • Consider data limitations and biases
- • Verify data accuracy when possible
- • Share useful data with community members
Troubleshooting External Source Issues
Common issues and solutions when working with external sources:
Common Issues and Solutions
Source Unavailable
If a source is temporarily unavailable, try again later or contact support
Slow Response Times
Large datasets may take time to load; be patient or try smaller queries
Missing Data
Some sources may not have data for all countries or time periods
Access Restrictions
Some data may require special permissions or registration
External Source Best Practices
- • Always verify data accuracy and check for updates
- • Understand the context and limitations of each data source
- • Use multiple sources to cross-validate important findings
- • Respect data usage rights and attribution requirements
- • Share valuable data sources with your community
- • Provide feedback to help improve source integration
Getting Help with External Sources
If you need assistance with external sources or have questions about specific datasets, contact our support team at [email protected] or consult the documentation provided by individual data sources.