Metadata
What is metadata?
Metadata is data that summarises basic information about data. For example:
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Who created the data.
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What the data file contains.
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When the data were generated.
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Where the data were generated.
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Why the data were generated.
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How the data were generated.
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The data’s Information Security Classification.
In addition, if you are an Information Creator, you should ensure the metadata you enter is meaningful. This is especially pertinent in data-entry to software applications.
Things to think about are:
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Entering fields consistently. For example, the format of an address.
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Entering the appropriate content into required fields. For example, don’t dummy-fill a field, or leave a required field empty.
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How do you avoid duplication of data? Or ensure that it is entered consistently across systems?
Why appropriate metadata is important
Metadata helps locate resources, and provides context to understand information’s value. Benefits of metadata include:
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It enables organisation, indexing, discovery, access, analysis, and use of data and information.
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It enables software applications to navigate data.
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It can improve search engine results and rankings.
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Quality metadata can drastically help in research activities (searching and retrieving beneficial information)
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It enables data to be properly interpreted, as relevant context is available. It provides context for non-textual content that isn’t readily processed by applications (e.g. images, videos).
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It means the data can be understood now and in the future.