1. Metadata: Formal and Informal GY7025 Geographical Database Design

2. Overview Big Metadata Day –First part What is metadata? What does it consist of? What are challenges/problems? What are some solutions/approaches? –Second part What are some issues? What are users looking for? How are specifications/standards working?

3. Metadata and Communication

4. Both formal and informal Formal –Machine-readable descriptions of data Informal –Human-readable descriptions of data

5. Examples http://www.sdvc.uwyo.edu/metadata/images/lambert.gif http://www.metadata.se/images/klart-trad1.gif

6. Metadata as part of communication More than a medium for transporting data about data Part of spatial communication –links among data quality reporting, Metadata, and assessments of data uncertainty –Are related to the places involved

7. Registries to …

8. … Computer databases

9. Metadata as part of communication More than a medium for transporting data about data Metadata is intrinsic to all data infrastructures, but only part of the practices of science (or government, etc) As part, we have to build on its strengths and find ways to address its weaknesses and complement it

10. Connecting formalized metadata to practical knowledge Metadata better suited for the presentation of formalized (or formalizable) information Nutrition facts printed on the cereal box are just part of what a potential consumer wants to know

11. Meaning is fitness for use What we know is just as important as what we learn? –Think of metadata in the discovery process Metadata standards are an important part –But only one facet –Access to metadata is a weakness –Use of metadata is a challenge

12. A bigger picture Metadata is more than GI Libraries rely on metadata Other fields with large amounts of data need metadata

13. Metadata is understood in various ways Knowledge management –Decomposition of knowledge –Access to data about data IT management –Archival and access facilitation –Management of data resources

14. Knowledge Management Synoptic approaches to integrating metadata into the information processing application and context –Reduce procedural knowledge required to operate a GIS (supposedly)

15. Metadata for IS Principles (Duval et al) –Modularity –Extensibility –Refinement –Multi-lingual Practicalities –Application Profiles –Syntax and Semantics –Association Models –Describing and Assessing Metadata Elements

16. GI Metadata Pieces Standardized metadata descriptions, i.e. FGDC- CSDGM and ISO TC211, are there –Just needs to be used –Question of implementation, no longer a technical issue FGDC-Content Standard for Digital Geographic Metadata –http://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/ --follow publications linkhttp://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/ ISO TC211(Draft Standard 19115.3) –http://www.isotc211.org/ –Lots to read!

17. It's not just about metadata SDI Clearinghouses require metadata –Hence many US activities In a project-orientated environment, metadata is an add-on –Not necessarily needed In a GII, metadata is common currency and becomes in many ways indistinguishable from data

18. Metadata in the Clearinghouse Clearinghouse concept is connected to SDI framework Multiple self-organizing clearinghouses Leads to new rationale for metadata as “connectors” among resources held at autonomous institutions and data repositories That’s the idea, reality isn’t that straight- forward

19. CSDGM Overview Many components Will be ‘updated’ to better coincide with the ISO metadata standards –ISO 19115 –Not an ANSI standard –To become 'basis' –Process of developing a ‘crosswalk’ and profiles to make it available and workable for multiple users

21. A little metadata fun With one neighbor –Determine data set –Work on basic metadata description Follow CSDGM (FGDC metadata standard)

22. Metadata preparation is complex The CSDGM is overly complex for most people Requires interface extensions to improve accessibility –Look at active or embedded metadata concepts Resource centers start to provide interfaces for users as part of their service

23. Metadata doesn't make sense... If you’re only creating metadata to record parameters –Especially if you’re working in a “small” place –And, in any case, if you have a “small” budget You can always ask around and get much better information –Besides, you may want to ask around and get to know folks

24. Information over a distance Global Spatial Data Infrastructure –Support global change research, and more Clearinghouse work related to other activities –TC211 work –OGC –FGDC Other national and international initiatives

25. Certainty helps assess quality, BUT they are not the same What is quality? Pragmatically, fitness for use –Beware of problems that result from this definition Standards guide and structure IT Metadata mainly serves one purpose, but should and will serve others, esp. related to quality assessment

26. Beyond Metadata… More than standards –Support for helping users understand uncertainty More than tools –Embedded into practices