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Introduction to Geospatial Metadata: Writing Guide and Best Practices

Learn the basics of Geospatial Metadata and best practices for writing high-quality metadata files. Understand the importance of clear, organized metadata for data sharing and reuse. Email any questions or exercise submissions to ncddcmetadata@noaa.gov. Series materials and resources available at ftp://ftp.ncddc.noaa.gov/pub/Metadata/Online_ISO_Training/Intro_to_CSDGM/ and http://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/geospatial-metadata-standards#csdgm

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Introduction to Geospatial Metadata: Writing Guide and Best Practices

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  1. Introduction to Geospatial Metadata – FGDC CSDGM National Coastal Data Development Center A division of the National Oceanographic Data Center Please email a list of participants at each location to ncddcmetadata@noaa.gov Also Email questions for the Q&A session to ncddcmetadata@noaa.gov

  2. Series Materials: ftp://ftp.ncddc.noaa.gov/pub/Metadata/Online_ISO_Training/Intro_to_CSDGM/ CSDGM Geospatial Metadata Standards: http://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/geospatial-metadata-standards#csdgm CSDGM Resources

  3. “Minimal metadata is minimally useful” Writing Metadata

  4. Writing Metadata It’s not so bad! • First records are the hardest • Not all fields may need to be filled in • Tools are available • Training classes can be taken • Can often be produced automatically • Can (and should) be reviewed for updates

  5. Writing Metadata Organize your information Write your metadata file Six Steps for Writing Quality Metadata Review your file Have someone else review Revise Publish

  6. Writing Metadata • Before you begin writing, get organized… • Document your data as you go • Write so others can understand • Always review your document

  7. Items required FGDC Standard and Workbook Metadata entry tool Chocolate Coffee Sense of Humor!

  8. Keep Your Readers in Mind • Write simply but completely • Document for a general audience • Be consistent in style and terminology

  9. Keep Your Readers in Mind • Define all acronyms • Avoid using jargon • Clearly state data limitations

  10. The Metadata Title A complete title includes: • What • Where • When • Who

  11. Greater Yellowstone Rivers from 1:126,700 Forest Visitor Maps (1961-1983) The title is critical in helping others find your data. Which is better?

  12. Be specific. Quantify when you can….. • Vague:We checked our work and it looks complete. • Specific:We checked our work using 3 separate sets of check plots reviewed by 2 different people. We determined our work to be 95% complete based on these visual inspections.

  13. Keywords • Use unambiguous words • Use descriptive words • Fully qualify geographic locations

  14. Distribution Section • Are there Direct URLs for the data, browse graphic, or web service • Format Description • Distribution Contact • Liability Statements

  15. Best Practices • Follow the Best Practices of your organization • Check for clarity and omissions

  16. Review your Final Product • Have someone else read it • If you’re the only reviewer, put it away and read it again later • Check for clarity and omissions

  17. When you review your work, ask….. • Can a novice understand what you wrote? • Are your data properly documented for posterity?

  18. Does the documentation present all the information needed to use or reuse the data? • Are any pieces missing?

  19. Writing Metadata Write so that others will understand

  20. Writing Metadata Organize your information Write your metadata file Six Steps for Writing Quality Metadata Review your file Have someone else review Revise Publish

  21. Review Minimal Metadata

  22. Review Minimal Metadata

  23. Exercise: Complete a Minimal Metadata Record • Use the “Hurricane Raw Data” spreadsheet to complete the minimal mandatory fields in a CSDGM metadata editor

  24. Exercise: Complete a more “Robust” Metadata Record • Add more information from the “Hurricane Raw Data” spreadsheet to your metadata record. • What other sections can you complete?

  25. Qeustions? Email ncddcmetadata@noaa.gov

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