Entering metadata
Contents
Metadata Editor Tool
Before a dataset can be published by reBiND it is necessary to either upload a metadata file or create a metadata file using the reBiND software. We have implemented a tool consisting of a series of web-forms for capturing the metadata. The Metadata Editor tool is based on Ecological Metadata Language (EML). The specification for EML is available from 'The Knowledge Network for Biocomplexity'. We are using a subset of EML to describe the essential data most frequently used by our data providers. For example, Title, Abstract, Owner, Content and Usage Rights. Usage rights can be used to link to code of conduct, copyright statement and any license information. The tool can also be used to enter coverage information (Geographical, Temporal and Taxonomic) and scientific methods that were used to collect the data. The following screenshots show the series of forms for entering the metadata:
Metadata Description
The screenshot below shows the description form in the Metadata Capture Tool. The description should distinguish your data from other data and provide an abstract to describe key features, study design or methods used in the study. Any metadata already contained in the ABCD data files - such as abcd:Title and abcd:Details is transferred to the EML file and is pre-populated in the metadata capture form, thereby saving the user from entering the data again.
Metadata Keywords
The screenshot below shows the Keywords form. Entering keywords enable better categorisation and searching of the data. Keywords can be entered in multiple sets by creating multiple thesauri.
Metadata Contact/Owner
The screenshot shows the Contact/Owner form for entering details about the owner of the data.
Metadata Usage Rights
The Usage Rights form allows you to enter a free text description describing the usage rights. It could be a standard agreement for reBiND data, such as the Biocase Code of Conduct or a more specific statement describing usage rights for the dataset itself, for example how to cite the data if it is re-used.
Metadata Geographical Coverage
The screenshot shows the Geographical coverage form. Here you can enter the coordinates directly or use the zoom and drag to re-position the boundary box on the map.
Metadata Temporal Coverage
The Temporal coverage form allows you to enter multiple date ranges to indicate when the data was gathered.
Metadata Taxonomic Coverage
The Taxonomic coverage form allows you to add a taxonomic hierarchy or multiple taxons describing the organisms in the dataset.
Metadata Methods
The Methods form allows you to specify the methods used in the dataset, such as field, laboratory and processing steps, sampling methods and the instrumentation used.
