estimated length: 2.5 hours introduction to metadata lecture introduction to metadata exercise b...

Estimated Length: 2.5 hours

Introduction to Metadata

LectureLecture Introduction to Metadata

Exercise BExercise B Using Metadata to Determine Suitability

IntroductionIntroduction History of federal metadata

Exercise BExercise B Using Metadata to Determine Suitability

Introduction to Metadata 1-2

Understanding the Value and Importance of Proper Data Documentation

Module Introduction

ArcGIS Components

• ArcMap• ArcCatalog• ArcToolbox

Supporting Software:

• PKZIP®

• Microsoft® Internet Explorer

Tools and TechnologyOverview

Skills Learned

• Understand the coastal setting and how a GIS can be used to manage the resources

• Find and Locate Geographic Data

• Develop Metadata

The coast is a dynamic setting rich in natural resources. A geographic information system (GIS) is the perfect tool for managing those resources.

An important part of any GIS is the creation of metadata that describe the data. Metadata records document geospatial data in a consistent form and help you find data of interest, determine the usefulness of the data, and determine how to access the data.

In this exercise you will first locate spatial data of interest on the Internet. Once you have the spatial data, you will then develop the metadata. Finally, you will incorporate all of the information into a geodatabase and gain an understanding of basic geodatabase functionality.



Simply put,

metadata is

information

about data.

Introduction: What is Metadata?

When the word metadata is mentioned, what do you think of? Many people have heard of metadata, but are not really sure exactly what it is.

Simply put, metadata is information about data. It is a document that describes data in such a way that others can understand the data.

In this discussion, when we discuss metadata, we are making the assumption that the metadata is well-written and fully developed.

Also, the term geospatial when used in this workshop refers to any data set tied to a location on the Earth’s surface.




How many of you have photos at home with little

or no information on the back to help you

remember key things about the photo, such as

date, place, and subject? Maybe you remember,

but will anyone else who happens to have

possession of that photo in the future?

A photograph is an example of a type of data,

and the information you include that describes

that photograph is essentially a form of metadata.

In this case, metadata provides legacy

information that will help describe the photo for

others who may come to possess it in the future.

Without it, it’s just another pretty picture.

Take a moment and consider how this photo

could be better documented. What’s Missing?

Emily and Madison




Perhaps the best and most recognizable form

of metadata is the card catalog system at the

library. Each book in the library has

information associated with it that tells certain

things about the book, such as:

• the title of the book

• a brief description

• who the author is

• when it was published

• who published it

• how many pages

• where it can be found

• what format it is in

Note that the card catalog entry does not

speak to the quality of the book.

Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of herbs ISBN: 087596964x (pbk.) : $17.95ISBN: 0878576991 : $24.95Title: Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of herbs /

Claire Kowalchik & William H. Hylton, editors ; writers, Anna Carr ... [et al.].

Publication info: Emmaus, Pa. : Rodale Press, c1987.Physical descrip: vi, 545 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 24 cm.General Note: Includes index.Subject term: Herbs.Subject term: Herbs--Utilization.Subject term: Herb gardening.Subject term: Herbs--History.Subject term: Herbals.Added author: Kowalchik, Claire.Added author: Hylton, William H.Added author: Carr, Anna, 1955-Added author: Rodale Press.

Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of herbs ISBN: 087596964x (pbk.) : $17.95ISBN: 0878576991 : $24.95Title: Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of herbs /

Claire Kowalchik & William H. Hylton, editors ; writers, Anna Carr ... [et al.].

Publication info: Emmaus, Pa. : Rodale Press, c1987.Physical descrip: vi, 545 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 24 cm.General Note: Includes index.Subject term: Herbs.Subject term: Herbs--Utilization.Subject term: Herb gardening.Subject term: Herbs--History.Subject term: Herbals.Added author: Kowalchik, Claire.Added author: Hylton, William H.Added author: Carr, Anna, 1955-Added author: Rodale Press.




At the NOAA Coastal Services Center, we

write metadata in accordance with a

standard put forth by the Federal

Geographic Data Committee. This

example is a small portion of one such

document.

Having metadata in a standardized form

allows easier access through a

searchable interface. This ability to be

easily searched increases the value of the

associated data, and helps cut down on

costs associated with data duplication.

Note the hierarchal structure to the

record. This structure helps the user scan

the document to more efficiently find the

information of interest.



Metadata as a Component of Data

Metadata provides vital information to interested

parties. It captures information about a data set

or data product that describes certain

characteristics of that data. It allows others to

make certain determinations about its potential

uses. It does not reproduce the data. It describes

the data.




This is an example from a portion of an Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI)

Data set. If you have ever worked with ESI data, you know that it is enormously

complex. If you have not worked with it before, but imagine that it might be a

good addition to your project, you will need the descriptive information about the

data. If you got just the spreadsheet, as pictured here, you wouldn’t know what

these column headings represented, what the appropriate units of measurement

were, or the correct definitions for each. The corresponding metadata describes

these features of the data. Once again, it is a description of the data set, not data

itself.

Environmental Sensitivity Index Data

RARNUM - unique combination of species, concentration, and seasonalityCONC (concentration) = Density species is found at locationSeason_ID = seasonality code like to the seasonal table

Element - Biology group

Metadata




Metadata will describe the characteristics of a data set, such as the condition of

the data, the content of the data set, and perhaps most important, the quality of

the data. This latter characteristic should not be overlooked. New federal

regulations require federal agencies to document the quality of their data under

the Data Quality Act (Public Law 106-554 Section 515). Metadata can help

agencies meet the requirements of this new regulation by documenting their data

quality within their metadata.

CONTENT

CONDITION

QUALITY

Characteristics of the data

Characteristics of the dataMetadata describes…




Metadata is most commonly associated with digital spatial data; however, it can be used to describe any data, such as remotely-sensed imagery, GPS data, biological data, or in situ data.

When you write metadata, one important aspect to capture in the metadata is the geographic region. This is done by either describing a bounding coordinate box that encompasses the location where the data was collected, or by using place keywords within the metadata. Geographic locations and keywords are two of the most common ways metadata is searched.

Title

Scale

Source

Content

Location

Publication

Access

Title

Scale

Source

Content

Location

Publication

Access

MetadataMetadata

GIS files

Imagery

Geospatial

Databases

GPS data

Biological data

In situ data

GIS files

Imagery

Geospatial

Databases

GPS data

Biological data

In situ data

Data setData set

Metadata can describe a variety of data.




As such, it should never be viewed as a separate entity. It is and should remain an integral component of the data. No data set should be considered complete without a complete, well-written metadata record or records.

Without accompanying metadata, the fitness for use of any given data set is unknown, and its usefulness is significantly impaired.

Metadata should be created and maintained as an integrated part of the data creation process. Whenever possible, it is best to document your data as you go instead of leaving it until the end of the project.

Metadata is a critical component

of a complete data set.

Metadata

Non-spatial orattributes

Spatial

Take Home Message

Metadata is a critical and integral component of any

complete data set.

Metadata is a critical and integral component of any

complete data set.



The Value of Metadata

One of the primary traditional external roles of metadata is it’s use in data discovery. Much like the card catalog system at the library, metadata can be searched to find data of interest. In addition, the metadata contains other information that can be helpful for a seeker to determine whether or not the data is fit for their particular use, and if so, how the data can be accessed and used.

Within an organization, the traditional internal role of metadata was one of ‘inheritance.’ This simple refers to metadata’s ability to help preserve a data set’s usefulness through time. Imagine an individual who has worked with a particular type of data for years, and then suddenly leaves that organization. If that individual did not adequately document the data, then it’s possible the some, if not all, of that data’s usefulness will be lost.

“Properly documenting a data set is the key to preserving

its usefulness through

time.”



The Value of MetadataAs an organization’s data holdings increase, data management becomes critical. Metadata can assist in building an efficient data management program. What was once an external value of metadata now becomes an internal value. Organizations can use metadata to document their data holdings and then use this metadata internally for data discovery, assessment, access, and use. This has several benefits, including a reduction in labor and/or data duplication. These types of benefits translate to more economic efficiency.

The ability to maintain a record of a data set’s currency will help ensure that project source data is not out of date. Metadata can aid in tracking editing and update frequencies, as well as the usage for a data set’s source files, along with where and how often a data set is being distributed.

Metadata as an aid to data management

Benefits…

Data Currency

Date of last edit/update

Age of source files

Data Utility

Track source file usage

Track distribution frequency



The Value of MetadataRecognizing that the cost of data development is consuming larger chunks of an organization’s budget, data managers want the ability to track the progress of individual projects. Metadata can assist in that by allowing a manager to monitor the development process. In addition to keeping tabs on the status of the development process, metadata may also be used as an aid in developing and tracking data processing steps. This carries the benefit of potentially standardizing and streamlining a data development process. As new projects come online, these process can be employed to help reduce production time.

Metadata can also be utilized to help determine data development costs for new projects. Examining previous projects can shed light on processing time, source data requirements, problem areas, and other aspects of data development that can be tweaked to increase production efficiency and lead to a reduction in costs.

Metadata as an aid to data management

…and more benefits

Monitoring Data Development

Data processing steps

Status of development

Estimating Development Costs

Data processing – time and extent

Source file availability




Data managers are always looking for help in managing costs and resources. Metadata can be used as an aid to monitoring the data development process. In addition, metadata can be a resource that data managers use to make more accurate cost predictions for future projects based on past experiences.

To realize the full potential of metadata under this new concept, metadata creation must become integral to the data development process.

The question is “How?”




Incorporating metadata into the data development process begins with a fundamental shift in the way an organization looks at life. Given the reality that government agencies tend to operate differently than private industry, the operational paradigm shift that must occur within these agencies is often difficult. To make this shift, begin by building administrative, technical, and organizational support.

Metadata preserves data investment. The cost of data acquisition and processing is a large portion of a project’s budget. It would be a shame to lose that investment because the data were not properly documented.




Metadata limits liability. One of the most often overlooked features of a well-written metadata record is it’s use as a legal document. The various constraints of a data set should be clearly defined within a metadata record. This does not mean it will keep an organization out of court, but it does add one more layer of documentation to support its case.

Metadata helps manage data resources. We’ve touched on a few ways metadata can help with data management, such as data currency, data utility, monitoring of the development process, and estimating development costs.




Metadata aids in external data acquisition. Metadata can be searched from existing external and/or internal clearinghouse systems to find data of interest.

Metadata facilitates data access and transfer. Once a data set is found, metadata should contain information on access and transferring that data.

Metadata provides for efficient data distribution. Writing metadata in accordance with current federal standards allows organizations to participate in the National and Global Spatial Data Clearinghouse.




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estimated length: 2.5 hours introduction to metadata lecture introduction to metadata exercise b...

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