Metadata standards Leen Vandepitte On behalf of WoRMS data management team

Metadata = data about the data

Why do we need metadata? = data about the data Helps you understand the data better Store metadata together with the data 6 W’s of information: – Who – What – When – Where – Why – How Need to be thorough, as none of these can be answered by yes/no… Includes e.g. objectives of the field research or experiment Limitations of the data Citation & publications coming forth from the data

Metadata guidelines for (Afr)OBIS Dataset title A good, descriptive title is indispensable. Provides users with valuable information, making e.g. data screening easier Originally receivedRecommended title, to be checked with provider BiomôrBenthic data from the Southern Irish Sea from KykladesZoobenthos of the Kyklades (Aegean Sea) from a survey in 2009 Benthos_NSThe macrobenthos of the North Sea Dataset_1Meiofauna of Madagascar Dataset_for_OBISFish collected during a 3-month survey in the national waters of South Africa in 1975 … Do not just change the title, but consult with the data provider to check if the change is OK! If the dataset has already been published elsewhere, the title CANNOT be changed (even if it does not meet the proposed standards)!

Contact information Name of data provider Institute of data provider Telephone number / address / … In case of questions on the data, they can be contacted – Interpretation of the data – Check for more data – Broader research => collaboration with data provider – …

Abstract / description – Basic information on the content of the dataset – Should be short & clear and related to the dataset content

Citation THE most important thing for each dataset! Comparable to a publication reference Should contain: – Dataset title – Authors (e.g. data managers, data collectors, responsible researchers …) – Name of the data holding institute Use standard format (when possible): – Place of initials – Consistent use of commas and periods – Use full name or acronym (or both) of institute – …

Citation examples – Gambi, C. & Danovaro, R. (1992). Meiofauna of the Ligurian Sea. Polytechnic University of Marche, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Marine Sciences, Italy. – Lampadariou, N. (2001). Thermaikos Gulf: impact of trawling and resuspension on meiobenthos. Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Greece. – MarBEF (2005). Macroben, an integrated database on benthic invertebrates of European continental shelves. – Fish trawl survey: Irish ground fish survey. ICES Database of trawl surveys (DATRAS). The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, Copenhagen Online source: – Campana, S., Joyce, W. OTN/DFO Maritimes Spiny Dogfish Tagging. In: OTN digital collections.

Keywords & co. Facilitate the discovery of a dataset Can relate to: – Taxonomy – Geography – Temporal boundaries Usage of the dataset – Document how (under which conditions) the dataset can be used CC-by License (Creative Commons) Freely available (if cited) Restricted use (define) …

In summary: metadata best practises Check if relevant metadata information is completed – Title, contact, citation, abstract … – If not: contact provider – 5 W’s Check if the dataset title is understandable and descriptive – “Good”: benthos of the Kenyan EEZ in the period – “Bad”: benthos – “Ugly”: benthos_EEZ_Kenya_ Assign relevant keywords – General keywords (benthos, plankton, biodiversity …) – Geographical keywords or placenames – Taxonomical keywords – Temporal boundaries

Questions? Relevance & importance of metadata: Session Wednesday morning Preparing your own dataset(s) for submission to AfrOBIS