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WHAT IS METADATA?. Modified from a presentation prepared by:. What is metadata?. Metadata is that component of data which describes it. Chlor (chlorophyll a concentration) measured in : g/l Latitudes and longitudes were measured using. Components of Data.
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WHAT IS METADATA? Modified from a presentation prepared by:
What is metadata? Metadata is that component of data which describes it Chlor (chlorophyll a concentration) measured in :g/l Latitudes and longitudes were measured using ... Components of Data
This is the metadata for this Author(s) Boullosa, Carmen. Title(s) They're cows, we're pigs / by Carmen Boullosa Place New York : Grove Press, 1997. Physical Descr viii, 180 p ; 22 cm. Subject(s) Pirates Caribbean Area Fiction. Format Fiction
a small part of This is the metadata for this Identification_Information Citation Citation_Information Originator: NOAA Coastal Services Center Publication_Date: 19971131 Title: Hurricane Storm Surge Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Map Publication_Information Publication_Place: Charleston, SC Publisher: NOAA Coastal Services Center Larger_Work_Citation Citation_Information
Why do we need standards? • Standards are created to • Save time • Save money • Ensure quality • Ensure completeness
The importance of metadata Poor documentation often leads to loss of critical information Who’s mom? Where was this taken? How old is this photo?
The importance of metadata standards in libraries Libraries have been using metadata for many years to describe, manage, and help locate publications and other items Author(s) Boullosa, Carmen. Title(s) They're cows, we're pigs / by Carmen Boullosa Place New York : Grove Press, 1997. Physical Descr viii, 180 p ; 22 cm. Subject(s) Pirates Caribbean Area Fiction. Format Fiction
Why a metadata standard for geospatial data? • To ensure all relevant information is documented Height Latitude & Longitude Projection Datum Processing steps
Why should you (or your staff) write good metadata? • Your data is meaningless without it • So you won’t FORGET how you collected and processed YOUR OWN DATA • So information won’t be lost when an employee leaves • So the data can be used again in the future
What is geospatial data? 1990 Census Miami 19.0 27.5 10.5 New Orleans 16.3 21.3 11.4 Portland 7.4 10.0 5.8 • Any data with a spatial component including: • Maps • Charts • In situ data (data collected at a specific site or station)
Why other people should share their metadata with you • So you can find their data • So you don’t have to go out and collect it yourself • So you can tell if you want their data • So you can tell how to use their data
Benefits of sharing metadata • It enables individuals using data produced by anybody else (is that population data set related to 1960 or 2000?) • It prevents individuals from stealing your data (all sources are acknowledged) • It makes your data visible so others can see what you’re doing • It encourages others to share their data
Uses of metadata in information systems As input to analysis tools Map from USGS SST data from NOAA Buoy data from NBDC