WHAT IS METADATA

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WHAT IS METADATA?
Modified from a presentation prepared by
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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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This is the metadata for this
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This is the metadata for this
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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
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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

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Why do we need standards?

• Standards are created to
• Save time
• Save money
• Ensure quality
• Ensure completeness

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The importance of metadata
Poor documentation often leads to loss of
critical information
Whos mom? Where was this taken? How old is this
photo?
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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
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Why a metadata standard for geospatial data?

• To ensure all relevant information is documented

Height
Latitude Longitude
Projection Datum
Processing steps
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Why should you (or your staff) write good
metadata?

• Your data is meaningless without it
• So you wont FORGET how you collected and
  processed YOUR OWN DATA
• So information wont be lost when an employee
  leaves
• So the data can be used again in the future

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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)

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Why other people should share their metadata with
you

• So you can find their data
• So you dont 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

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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
  youre doing
• It encourages others to share their data

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Uses of metadata in information systems
As input to analysis tools
Map from USGS
SST data from NOAA
Buoy data from NBDC