Metadata in the DRI Ecosystem: A Pragmatic Introduction

Metadata is as metadata does. As researchers and institutions embrace digital research infrastructures (DRIs) and digital tools for conducting research, researchers need a better and deeper practical understanding of metadata in these new digital contexts. 

Usually defined as essentially being data about data, metadata provides additional information or context about an item (a digital object, a piece of data..). Most people have an intuitive understanding of the ways metadata can make it easier to understand, manage, and organize digital items, based on their experiences interacting with metadata in practice–from managing personal files in their own computers or on the cloud, to using library catalogues or scientific databases.

 

This workshop will aim to demystify DRI metadata by experiencing it “in action” across three data services: Borealis, Scholars GeoPortal, and Odesi. The goal is to connect the (sometimes arcane) metadata best practices and recommendations with some actual, practical (and often surprising!) implications of your metadata decisions.