Creating documentation and metadata: Introduction to metadata and metadata standards Lynn Yarmey National Snow and Ice Data Center Version 2.0 Review Date Section: Local Data Management

Creating documentation and metadata: Introduction to metadata and metadata standards; Version 2.0, Reviewed 9/15/11 Overview Jargon - ‘Metadata’ Metadata Example Metadata Standards Getting Started Resources Other Relevant Modules

Creating documentation and metadata: Introduction to metadata and metadata standards; Version 2.0, Reviewed 9/15/11 Jargon – ‘Metadata’ “Data about Data” But what does that MEAN?

Creating documentation and metadata: Introduction to metadata and metadata standards; Version 2.0, Reviewed 9/15/11 What would someone* unfamiliar with your data (and possibly your research) need in order to find, evaluate, understand, and reuse them? * How about someone… who works in your lab? from a different lab in your field? from a completely different domain? who works for a newspaper? who works for Congress? Jargon – ‘Metadata’

Creating documentation and metadata: Introduction to metadata and metadata standards; Version 2.0, Reviewed 9/15/11 Metadata Example Temperatu re 31.5

Creating documentation and metadata: Introduction to metadata and metadata standards; Version 2.0, Reviewed 9/15/11 Of what? Collected when? Collected how? According to whom? Is this value averaged? Calculated? In what units? Location? For what purpose? When was the sensor last cleaned/calibrated? Has anyone checked the quality of this value? Temperatu re 31.5 Precision/accuracy? AKA – T, Temp, degC, C, o F… lots of different names Metadata Example

Creating documentation and metadata: Introduction to metadata and metadata standards; Version 2.0, Reviewed 9/15/11 To help others find, evaluate, understand, and reuse data, metadata should be: consistent, digital, and written for people such that computers are happy. Enter Metadata Standards Metadata Standards

Creating documentation and metadata: Introduction to metadata and metadata standards; Version 2.0, Reviewed 9/15/11 Metadata standards are digital containers for structured information about a data set. Think of them as really organized, well-defined, internationally-recognized readme templates. Examples of metadata standards relevant in the Earth Sciences: ISO GCMD DIF DataCite and many (many) more… Metadata Standards

Creating documentation and metadata: Introduction to metadata and metadata standards; Version 2.0, Reviewed 9/15/11 Getting Started Tips for the short-term: Get your own house in order Use common date formats, codes, smart file names, etc. WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN! (Keep good readme files) Put in the time early on to start implementing a standard Most have minimum compliance levels with options to get more detailed Stay flexible Tips for the long-term: Get help! Librarians, standards groups, data centers, and domain communities have tools and expertise to share Watch for Best Practices and standards in your field

Creating documentation and metadata: Introduction to metadata and metadata standards; Version 2.0, Reviewed 9/15/11 Resources Tools DataUp - an Excel plug-in that will help you create metadata for your files - Choosing a standard Global Change Master Directory Standards List - Center for International Earth Science Information Network Standards Page - For biology, climate, ecology, oceanography metadata standards – And many others…

Creating documentation and metadata: Introduction to metadata and metadata standards; Version 2.0, Reviewed 9/15/11 Other Relevant Modules Assign Descriptive File Names – This module offers guidelines on setting up file naming conventions for your lab, a great first step to capture metadata. Creating documentation and metadata section – Modules here go into detail on different types of metadata, for instance discovery and provenance. Advertising your data section – This section contains modules discussing metadata submission to meet agency and registry requirements.