Metadata 2008/2009

1. It is imperative that Data objects are defined consistently throughout the LSC, and the definitions are understandable and available to all users.

2. The data that will be used in the development of applications, reports and analysis must have a common definition throughout the LSC to enable sharing of data. A common vocabulary will facilitate communications and enable dialogue to be effective. In addition, it is required to interface systems and exchange data.

3. Metadata (sometimes called Metainformation) is "data about data", of any sort in any media. An item of metadata may describe an individual datum, or content item, or a collection of data including multiple content items.

4. Metadata (sometimes written 'meta data') are used to facilitate the understanding, characteristics, and management usage of data. The metadata required for effective data management varies with the type of data and context of use. For example in a library, where the data is the content of the titles stocked, metadata about a title would typically include a description of the content, the author's name, the publication date and the physical location.

5. In the context of an information sysytem, where the data is the content of the computer files, metadata about an individual data item would typically include the name of the table the name of the fields within each table and their length. Metadata about a collection of data items, a computer file, might typically include the name of the file, the type of file and the name of the data administrator.

6. Metadata therefore, depends on the specific type and nature of the data or information being defined, some elements may be appropriate to all data objects, whilst others may be specific to a given type.

METADATA

• General Metadata
• Business Defintions
• Technical Definitions
• Standard Files
• Datasets

Date last modified: 14th December 2008