Modulel 5.1: Metadata

FInals Topic

Metadata

• is structured "data about data" that describes, locates, and manages information resources to make them easier to find, track, and use.

• It captures essential background information, including how, when, and by whom a dataset was collected, as well as its formatting and definitions.

TRUE

• Example of Metadata:
  
  Author: Maria Santos

  Date Created: September 28, 2026

  Date Modified: September 28, 2026

  File Size: 2 MB

  File Type: DOCX

TRUE

Why do we need Metadata?

• Metadata is created and collected because it enables and improves use of that data. Metadata ensures that we will be able find data, use data, and preserve and re-use data in the future.

• Imagine you have thousands of files on your computer. Without metadata, it can be difficult to know what each file contains or find the specific file you need.

Resource Discovery

(Functions of Metadata)

• Metadata helps users search for, identify, and locate specific information or resources, it can also help users group similar resources and distinguish different ones

• Example: When searching for a book in an online library, you can search using its title, author, or subject. The library uses metadata to find the book; finding resources using keywords or other criteria

Organizing E-Resources

(Functions of Metadata)

• E-resources are electronic resources, such as e-books, digital documents, videos, and websites

• Metadata helps organize these resources according to their topics, categories, or intended users.

• Example: An online learning platform organizes learning materials into categories such as Programming, Networking, and Database Management. Metadata can also help a website automatically display resources based on information stored in a database

Facilitating Interoperability

(Functions of Metadata)

• Interoperability means allowing different computer systems or applications exchange and use information

• Metadata helps systems understand and identify resources using common standards and identifiers

• Examples Include:
  - ISBN: A unique number used to identify a particular book edition
  - FIlename: Identifies a digital file
  - URL: Provides the web address of an online resource

Archiving and Preservation

(Functions of Metadata)

• Metadata helps protect digital information and keep it accessible for future use.

• Digital files may become corrupted, altered, or difficult to open when technology changes

• Metadata can record important details such as:
  - Who created the file
  - When was the file created or modified
  - The file’s format and technical characteristics
  - The history of changes made to the file
  - Information needed to open or use the file in the future

Descriptive Metadata

(Types of Metadata)

• Metadata used to identify and describe collections and related information resources

• Is typically used for discovery and identification, as information to search and locate an object, such as title, author, subjects, keywords, publisher

Structural Metadata

(Types of Metadata)

• Metadata that describes how the components of an object are organized.

• An example of this would be how pages are ordered to form chapters of a book

Administrative metadata

(Types of Metadata)

• Metadata used in managing and administering collections and information resources

• Gives information to help manage the source; refers to the technical information, including file type, or when and how the file was created and who can access it

Preservation Metadata

(Types of Metadata)

• Metadata related to the preservation management of collections and information resources

Technical Metadata

(Types of Metadata)

• Metadata related to how a system functions or metadata behaves

• Includes database system names, table and column names and size, data types and allowed values; includes structural info such as primary key and foreign key attribute and indices

• Examples: Hardware and software documentation, technical digitization information, authentication and security data, etc.

Use Metadata

(Types of Metadata)

• Metadata related to the level and type of use of collections and information resources

• Examples: Circulation records, physical and digital exhibition records, content reuse and miulti-versioning information, etc.

Title/Name

(Metadata Elements)

• Name given to the resource

Description

(Metadata Elements)

• A description of the resources and its spatial, temporal or subject coverage

Format

(Metadata Elements)

• File format, physical medium, dimensions of the resource, or hardware and software needed to access the data

Metadata

(Metadata Elements)

• Description of the metadata to be provided along with the generated data and discussion of the metadata standards used, including the version of the schema and where the schema can be found

Identifier

(Metadata Elements)

• A unique identification assigned to the resource

Rights Holder

(Metadata Elements)

• The entities or persons who hold the rights to the data

Rights

(Metadata Elements)

• Information about the rights held in over the resource

Contact Information

(Metadata Elements)

• Identity of, and means to communicate with persons or entities associated with the data