A Metadata Workshop

1. IntroducingGeospatial Metadata A Metadata Workshop

2. Workshop objectives • Introduction to metadata, its importance, role, and the FGDC metadata standard. • This workshop is designed to be a hands-on session where you will work with your own data. By the end of the workshop, you should have 1) a sample record that documents your data, and 2) ideas for how to make metadata work for your project. • All participants should finish the workshop by getting involved in the “metadata movement”.

3. Outline: • Introduction to metadata. • Metadata Content • Schema

4. TOPIC 1: Introduction to Metadata What is metadata? Why is it important? Executive Order 12906 The FGDC Geospatial Data Clearinghouse

5. 1.1: What is Metadata? Metadata is the component of data that describes it. (data about data) Components of Data

6. 1.2: Why is it important? Metadata is an important component of spatial data • Needed for appropriate use of data • Needed for appropriate management of data.

7. Metadata is needed for appropriate use of data examples: Spatial Referencing Systems Entity and Attribute Classification Data Collection Technique

8. Spatial Referencing Systems

9. Entity and Attribute Classification Data reflect the purposes of the creator! Wetland delineation as defined by investment bankers Wetland delineation as defined by conservationists

10. Data lineage and Data accuracy. Without metadata, how can a user identify the source of this error?

11. Metadata is also needed for appropriate management of data. • Protect data from being lost. • Preserve data over time. • Promote good science. • Provides the foundation of a National Spatial Data Infrastructure

12. 1.3: Executive Order 12906 FGDC metadata, and the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.

13. FGDCMetadata Federal Geographic Data Committee Executive Order 12906 mandates that all Federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funds must document all geospatial data using the FGDC metadata format

14. Single-use data: Data are seen as a means to an end.

15. Multiple-use data: Data are seen as central

16. Spatial data collection, and acquisition are major obstacles of spatial analysis.

17. Metadata is mandated by EO 12906 to facilitate the NSDI • Search, • Suitability decisions • Subsequent users need information Metadata is the foundation of the NSDI

18. 1.4: The FGDC Geospatial Data Clearinghouse

25. The data set is then distributed in its entirety!

26. FGDC compliant metadata: • A record of all the information needed to effectively use a data set for analysis. • The only manner in which to contribute to the National Spatial Data Infrastructure

27. TOPIC 2: Metadata Content • The Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata • Metadata Content • Exercise: The Metadata Content Questionnaire!

28. 2.1 The Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata The CSDGM specifies needed information and a strict structure!

29. The structure of the FGDC metadata standard can be confusing. . . at first.

30. The structure of the FGDC metadata standard is a strength! • Contribution to NSDI needs only a text editor • Machine-readable structure enables sgml and xml encoding • Structure enables extensibility • Shared elements enable data-type-level documentation • The FGDC standard is flexible enough to document multiple types of spatial data.

31. Data producers write Metadata! • Metadata consists of important information about the data. • Most of the information required by the CSDGM is dealt with during data production • Once the scientist, or data producer, is familiar with the standard, writing metadata is easy!

32. 2.2 Metadata Content The structure is simply the means by which the content is searched, displayed, and used!

33. The CSDGM divides your metadata into “bits of information” that can be manipulated, shared, searched and displayed. search and display metadata The CSDGM builds a Bridge between data producers, and computers.

34. Bits of information • Abstract • Purpose • Attribute Accuracy Report • Grid Coordinate System Name • Entity Type Definition • Distribution Liability • Metadata Contact

35. 2.2 Exercise: The Metadata Content Questionnaire

36. Topic 3: Schema • Sections • Data Elements and Compound Elements • The Graphical Representation • Exercise: Navigating the Graphical Representation. . . Writing FGDC metadata! • Validating metadata

37. 3.1: Sections Our “bits of information” are grouped into 7 main sections, and 3 supporting sections.

38. 3.2: Data Elements and Compound Elements Within each section, data elements (bits of information) can be further grouped into compound elements.

39. 3.3: The Graphical Representation The Graphical Representation is an invaluable tool to help navigate the standard!

40. Graphical Representation of Elements Sections, compound elements, and data elements are represented by these symbols.

41. Conditional usage Element conditionality is color coded.

42. Repeatability Some elements are repeatable.

43. Navigation Sometimes the standard requires that you omit one section in favor of another.

44. 3.4: Exercise: Navigating the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata. In this exercise, we will “plug” our metadata content into the appropriate FGDC structure.

45. From “bits of information” to FGDC Metadata! In this exercise, we will take our content, which looks like this. . . . .

46. From “bits of information” to FGDC Metadata! and make FGDC metadata, which looks like this. . . . . . .

47. Writing Metadata!

48. Andrew.Rushin@noaa.gov (301) 713.1156 x109 “Don’t duck metadata!”