Signposting your information - MEDIN Discovery Metadata

What is metadata & what should I do with it? Essentially, metadata is: Information about a dataset Discovery Metadata is: Information used to describe datasets (or series or services) so that a user can easily find them using a portal and determine the details of where they can be accessed A documented record of datasets managed within an organisation or an application When Who Where What e.g. March 2017 BGS Dogger Bank geophysics survey Discovery Metadata contains: What I' Title Abstract Temporal coverage Geographic coverage Ownership of record Access conditions Location of dataset (amongst others)

What is a dataset? The correct level for a dataset is a cruise, survey or a set of repeat observations with a common purpose   A dataset usually constitutes a specifically-funded piece of work The dataset should be easily extractable from a database for a 3rd party Searchable using an online interface e.g. MEDIN portal

Discovery Metadata Standard MEDIN have developed a Discovery Metadata Standard to enable online discovery of datasets 3 components make up the Standard

Discovery Metadata Standard - Guidance Available on website Compliant with: ISO19115 (Geographic information – Metadata) INSPIRE UK GEMINI2 ISO 19139 schema set for encoding xml However, there is a shorter, simpler version available! Currently being updated!

Discovery Metadata Standard - Vocabs The MEDIN standard specifies use of certain vocabularies (term lists) to distinguish your record as ‘marine specific’ P02

Discovery Metadata Standard - Tools http://www.medin.org.uk/data-standards/medin-discovery-metadata-standard On-line metadata generation and editing tool Desktop tool. Can work in stand alone mode.

Validation is critical! ► ►Validation is carried out using the MEDIN schematron ►Ease of update – one change in multiple tools rather than separate bespoke changes for each tool ► Schematron scans the structure of the XML and the requirement levels and other rules of the MEDIN standard ► Schematron and guidance available at http://www.medin.org.uk/data-standards/medin-discovery-metadata-standard ► This does not QC the content of the record – GIGO applies

Summary of dataset discovery Correct level of granularity is essential Discovery metadata designed for display on MEDIN portal. MEDIN tools use XML to do this. MEDIN guidance on website plus FAQs:

Updating the MEDIN discovery standard Standards evolve! Therefore: MEDIN has placed itself to be engaged in and contribute to any changes in national and international standards that could influence our own MEDIN is represented by members of the MEDIN Standards Working Group on various groups linked to discovery metadata e.g. GEMINI Working Group, BSI Sign up to the e-mail list to be kept up-to-date on changes

MEDIN discovery metadata in action Log onto the MEDIN portal http://portal.oceannet.org/ Look at the ‘quick links’ on the right hand side and click on the map icon. Have a short play with the Data Discovery Portal to see how the discovery metadata gets used. Does your organisation have records in the portal or are there data there you could use? Practical to follow!

MEDIN Metadata Editor Practical Open Internet Browser www.dassh.ac.uk/medin_metadata Log-in: Username: medin.metadata@mba.ac.uka Password: medinmetadata Follow instructions on the handout