introducing geospatial metadata ---1 don’t duck metadata introducing geospatial metadata a...

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---1

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Introducing Geospatial Metadata

A Metadata Workshop

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---2

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Workshop objectives

• Introduction to metadata, its importance, role, and the FGDC metadata standard.

• This workshop is designed to be a hands-on session where you will work with your own data. By the end of the workshop, you should have 1) a sample record that documents your data, and 2) ideas for how to make metadata work for your project.

• All participants should finish the workshop by getting involved in the “metadata movement”.

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---3

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Outline:

• Introduction to metadata.

• Metadata Content

• Schema

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---4

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

1. What is metadata?

2. Why is it important?

3. Executive Order 12906

4. The FGDC Geospatial Data Clearinghouse

TOPIC 1: Introduction to Metadata

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---5

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

1.1: What is Metadata?

Components of Data

Metadata is the component of data that describes it. (data about data)

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---6

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

• Needed for appropriate use of data

• Needed for appropriate management of data.

Metadata is an important component of spatial data

1.2: Why is it important?

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---7

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

examples:

• Spatial Referencing Systems

• Entity and Attribute Classification

• Data Collection Technique

Metadata is needed for appropriate use of data

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---8

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Spatial Referencing Systems

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---9

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Data reflect the purposes of the creator!

Entity and Attribute Classification

Wetland delineation as defined by investment bankers

Wetland delineation as defined by conservationists

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---10

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Data lineage and Data accuracy.

Without metadata, how can a user identify the source of this error?

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---11

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Metadata is also needed for appropriate management of data.

• Protect data from being lost.

• Preserve data over time.

• Promote good science.

• Provides the foundation of a National Spatial Data Infrastructure

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---12

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

1.3: Executive Order 12906

FGDC metadata, and the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---13

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

FGDC MetadataFederalGeographic DataCommittee

Executive Order 12906 mandates that all Federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funds must document all geospatial data using the FGDC metadata format

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---14

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Single-use data:

Data are seen as a means to an end.

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---15

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Multiple-use data:

Data are seen as central

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---16

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Spatial data collection, and acquisition

are major obstacles of spatial analysis.

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---17

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

• Search,

• Suitability decisions

• Subsequent users need information

Metadata is mandated by EO 12906 to facilitate the NSDI

Metadata is the foundation of the NSDI

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---18

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

1.4: The FGDC Geospatial Data Clearinghouse

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---19

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---20

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---21

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---22

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---23

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---24

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---25

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

The data set is then distributed in its entirety!

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---26

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

FGDC compliant metadata:

• A record of all the information needed to effectively use a data set for analysis.

• The only manner in which to contribute to the National Spatial Data Infrastructure

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---27

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

1. The Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

2. Metadata Content

3. Exercise: The Metadata Content Questionnaire!

TOPIC 2: Metadata Content

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---28

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

2.1 The Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

The CSDGM specifies needed information and a strict structure!

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---29

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

The structure of the FGDC metadata

standard can be confusing. . . at first.

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---30

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

The structure of the FGDC metadata standard is a strength!

• Contribution to NSDI needs only a text editor

• Machine-readable structure enables sgml and xml encoding

• Structure enables extensibility• Shared elements enable data-type-level

documentation• The FGDC standard is flexible enough to

document multiple types of spatial data.

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---31

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Data producers write Metadata!

• Metadata consists of important information about the data.

• Most of the information required by the CSDGM is dealt with during data production

• Once the scientist, or data producer, is familiar with the standard, writing metadata is easy!

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---32

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

2.2 Metadata Content

The structure is simply the means by which the content is searched, displayed, and used!

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---33

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

The CSDGM divides your metadata into “bits of information” that can be manipulated, shared, searched and displayed.

The CSDGM builds a Bridge between data producers, and computers.

metadatasearch and display

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---34

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Bits of information

• Abstract

• Purpose

• Attribute Accuracy Report

• Grid Coordinate System Name

• Entity Type Definition

• Distribution Liability

• Metadata Contact

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---35

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

2.2 Exercise: The Metadata Content Questionnaire

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---36

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Topic 3: Schema

1. Sections2. Data Elements and Compound

Elements3. The Graphical Representation 4. Exercise: Navigating the Graphical

Representation. . . Writing FGDC metadata!

5. Validating metadata

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---37

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

3.1: Sections

Our “bits of information” are grouped into 7 main sections, and 3 supporting sections.

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---38

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

3.2: Data Elements and Compound Elements

Within each section, data elements (bits of information) can be further grouped into compound elements.

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---39

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

3.3: The Graphical Representation

The Graphical Representation is an invaluable tool to help navigate the standard!

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---40

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Graphical Representation of Elements

Sections, compound elements, and data elements are represented by these symbols.

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---41

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Conditional usage

Element conditionality is color coded.

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---42

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Repeatability

Some elements are repeatable.

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---43

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Navigation

Sometimes the standard requires that you omit one section in favor of another.

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---44

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

3.4: Exercise: Navigating the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata.

In this exercise, we will “plug” our metadata content into the appropriate FGDC structure.

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---45

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

From “bits of information” to FGDC Metadata!

In this exercise, we will take our content, which looks like this. . . . .

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---46

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

and make FGDC metadata, which looks like this. . . . . . .

From “bits of information” to FGDC Metadata!

Introducing Geospatial Metadata ---47

Don’t

Duck

Metadata

Writing Metadata!

Andrew.Rushin@noaa.gov (301) 713.1156 x109

“Don’t duck metadata!”