sosa:Sampler
The sosa:Sampler class represents a device, software, or agent capable of executing a sosa:Sampling activity to produce a sosa:Sample. In SDL, samplers can be field tools, instruments, automated systems, or even human agents configured to collect samples.
Definition
URI: http://www.w3.org/ns/sosa/Sampler
A sosa:Sampler is used by or implements a sosa:Sampling to produce sosa:Sample instances.
Usage in SDL
In SDL, sosa:Sampler is used to:
- Identify equipment or processes involved in collecting samples
- Link a sosa:Sampling activity to its executing agent or system
- Enable modeling of automated sampling workflows or manual collection procedures
Samplers help trace the origin of samples and support reproducibility.
Properties
| Property | Description | Optional |
|---|---|---|
| dcterms:identifier | Unique ID for the sampler | Yes |
| dcterms:title | Human-readable name or label | Yes |
| dcterms:description | Description of what the sampler does or how it functions | Yes |
sosa:madeSampling |
Link to sosa:Sampling events this sampler executed | Yes |
| sosa:hosts | If hosted on a sosa:Platform | Yes |
| prov:wasAttributedTo | Associated agent or system responsible for operating the sampler | Yes |
Composition
Samplers can be physical instruments or logical software agents. They are usually connected to sampling workflows via sosa:madeSampling.
ex:sampler1 a sosa:Sampler ;
dcterms:title "Hand-held Soil Auger" ;
sosa:madeSampling ex:samplingEvent1 .
ex:samplingEvent1 a sosa:Sampling ;
prov:generated ex:sampleA .
Example — Software Sampler
ex:autoSamplerApp a sosa:Sampler , prov:SoftwareAgent ;
dcterms:title "Automated Gas Sampler Controller" ;
sosa:madeSampling ex:sampleRoutine42 .
Related Classes
- sosa:Sampling — action executed by a sampler
- sosa:Sample — outcome of a sampling
- sosa:Platform — may host a sampler
- prov:Agent — responsible person or software
See Also
sosa:Sampler enables SDL to document the agents and instruments behind every sample — providing a vital link for traceability, method repeatability, and quality assurance.