1. 1

2. 2 Graphical Representation of the Elements of the Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

3. 3 Graphical Representation of the Elements

4. 4 F Section

5. 5 Graphical Representation of the Elements Compound Elements - not raised

6. 6 Graphical Representation of the Elements Data Elements - raised with shadows

7. 7 Graphical Representation of the Elements Section Compound Elements - not raised Data Elements - raised with shadows

8. 8 Relating the Elements F Concerns –How are elements grouped? –What’s mandatory? What’s not? –What can repeat? How many times? F The standards use “production rules” with a special syntax to describe this information. F The graphic representation uses nested boxes, shading, and labels.

9. 9 How Are Elements Grouped? F Compound elements are composed of other compound or data elements. The composition is represented by nested boxes. Compound Element 1 Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2

10. 10 Compound Element 1 Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2 How Are Elements Grouped? Compound elements are composed of other compound or data elements. The composition is represented by nested boxes. Compound Element 1 is composed of Compound Element 1.1 and Data Element 1.2

11. 11 Compound Element 1 Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2 How Are Elements Grouped? Compound elements are composed of other compound or data elements. The composition is represented by nested boxes. Compound Element 1.1 is composed of Data Element 1.1.1 and Data Element 1.1.2.

12. 12 Compound Element 1 Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2 How Are Elements Grouped? Compound elements are composed of other compound or data elements. The composition is represented by nested boxes. Compound Element 1 is composed of Compound Element 1.1 and Data Element 1.2 Compound Element 1.1 is composed of Data Element 1.1.1 and Data Element 1.1.2.

13. 13 What’s Mandatory? What’s Not?

14. 14 What’s Mandatory? What’s Not? Mandatory - must be provided. Meaning Data Element Compound Element

15. 15 What’s Mandatory? What’s Not? Mandatory - must be provided. Meaning Data Element Compound Element Mandatory if Applicable - must be provided if the data set exhibits the defined characteristic.

16. 16 What’s Mandatory? What’s Not? Mandatory if Applicable - must be provided if the data set exhibits the defined characteristic. Optional - provided at the discretion of the data set producer. Mandatory - must be provided. Meaning Data Element Compound Element

17. 17 What’s Mandatory? What’s Not? Mandatory if Applicable - must be provided if the data set exhibits the defined characteristic. Optional - provided at the discretion of the data set producer. Mandatory - must be provided. Meaning Data Element Compound Element Color and Shaded Versions

18. 18 Compound Element 1 (can be repeated unlimited times) Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2 If an element can be repeated independently from other elements, a label below the element name states how many times the element may be repeated. If there is no label, the element does not repeat independently from other elements. In the illustration, Compound Element 1 can be repeated an unlimited number of times. Thus, the following block of data is repeated: Compound Element 1 Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2 What Can Repeat? How Many Times?

19. 19 Making Decisions About Documenting Your Data Decision 1 Decision 1.1 Decision 1.1.1 Decision 1.1.2 Decision 1.2

20. 20 Decision 1 Decision 1.1 Decision 1.1.1 Decision 1.1.2 Decision 1.2 Making Decisions About Documenting Your Data F Work down the columns.

21. 21 Decision 1 Decision 1.1 Decision 1.1.1 Decision 1.1.2 Decision 1.2 Making Decisions About Documenting Your Data Decisions about higher-level elements (outer boxes) influence decisions about lower-level elements (inner boxes). So, for example, decision 1 usually influences decision 1.1 and 1.2.

22. 22 Decision 1 Decision 1.1 Decision 1.1.1 Decision 1.1.2 Decision 1.2 Making Decisions About Documenting Your Data Decisions about elements at the same level usually are made independently. So, for example, decision 1.1 and decision 1.2 usually are made independently of each other.

23. 23 Decision 1 Decision 1.1 Decision 1.1.1 Decision 1.1.2 Decision 1.2 Making Decisions About Documenting Your Data Work down the columns. Decisions about higher-level elements (outer boxes) influence decisions about lower-level elements (inner boxes). So, for example, decision 1 usually influences decisions 1.1 and 1.2. Decisions about elements at the same level usually are made independently. So, for example, decision 1.1 and decision 1.2 usually are made independently of each other.

24. 24 Using the Graphics to Make Decisions - 1 All elements are colored yellow, so all are mandatory and must be reported. MM / AO Compound Element 1 Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2

25. 25 Using the Graphics to Make Decisions - 1 All elements have no shading, so all are mandatory and must be reported. MM / AO Compound Element 1 Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2

26. 26 Using the Graphics to Make Decisions - 2 Compound Element 1 is mandatory. Compound Element 1.1 is optional. The producer must decide if it wants to provide the element. If yes, Data Elements 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 are mandatory. If no, do not report Compound Element 1.1, Data Element 1.1.1 or 1.1.2, and skip to Data Element 1.2. Data Element 1.2 is mandatory. MM / AO Compound Element 1 Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2

27. 27 Using the Graphics to Make Decisions - 2 Compound Element 1 is mandatory. Compound Element 1.1 is optional. The producer must decide if it wants to provide the element. If yes, Data Elements 1.1.1 and 1.1.2 are mandatory. If no, do not report Compound Element 1.1, Data Element 1.1.1 or 1.1.2, and skip to Data Element 1.2. Data Element 1.2 is mandatory. MM / AO Compound Element 1 Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2

28. 28 Using the Graphics to Make Decisions - 3 Compound Element 1 is mandatory. Compound Element 1.1 is mandatory. Data Element 1.1.1 is mandatory. Data Element 1.1.2 is mandatory if applicable. The producer must decide if the data set has the characteristic defined by the data element. If yes, then Data Element 1.1.2 is mandatory. If no, then Data Element 1.1.2 is not reported. Data Element 1.2 is optional. MM / AO Compound Element 1 Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2

29. 29 Using the Graphics to Make Decisions - 3 Compound Element 1 is mandatory. Compound Element 1.1 is mandatory. Data Element 1.1.1 is mandatory. Data Element 1.1.2 is mandatory if applicable. The producer must decide if the data set has the characteristic defined by the data element. If yes, then Data Element 1.1.2 is mandatory. If no, then Data Element 1.1.2 is not reported. Data Element 1.2 is optional. MM / AO Compound Element 1 Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2

30. 30 Using the Graphics to Make Decisions - 4 Compound Element 1 is mandatory if applicable. If not applicable to the data set, do not report any elements. If applicable, it is mandatory and: Compound Element 1.1 is mandatory. Data Element 1.1.1 is mandatory if applicable. If not applicable, do not report it. If applicable, it is mandatory. Data Element 1.1.2 is mandatory. Data Element 1.2 is optional. MM / AO Compound Element 1 Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2

31. 31 Using the Graphics to Make Decisions - 4 Compound Element 1 is mandatory if applicable. If not applicable to the data set, do not report any elements. If applicable, it is mandatory and: Compound Element 1.1 is mandatory. Data Element 1.1.1 is mandatory if applicable. If not applicable, do not report it. If applicable, it is mandatory. Data Element 1.1.2 is mandatory. Data Element 1.2 is optional. MM / AO Compound Element 1 Compound Element 1.1 Data Element 1.1.1 Data Element 1.1.2 Data Element 1.2

32. 32 How to Read the Graphic Representation 1 F Start at the section symbol (1).

33. 33 How to Read the Graphic Representation 3 2 1 Start at the section symbol (1). Go to the leftmost column (2), and work down (3).

34. 34 How to Read the Graphic Representation 3 4 5 2 1 Start at the section symbol (1). Go to the leftmost column (2), and work down (3). After completing the column, move right one column (4) and work down (5).

35. 35 How to Read the Graphic Representation 3 4 5 6 2 1 Start at the section symbol (1). Go to the leftmost column (2), and work down (3). After completing the column, move right one column (4) and work down (5). Continue across the graphic (6) until all the elements have been considered.

36. 36 How to Read the Graphic Representation 3 4 5 6 2 1 Start at the section symbol (1). Go to the leftmost column (2), and work down (3). After completing the column, move right one column (4) and work down (5). Continue across the graphic (6) until all the elements have been considered.

37. 37 Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata Identification Information Data Quality Information Spatial Data Organization Information Spatial Reference Information Entity and Attribute Information Metadata Reference Information Mandatory Legend 4526731 Distribution Information Metadata Mandatory If Applicable

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