Category:Documentation Connections

Introduction

Schematic diagram of conceptual overlaps between three metadata dialects (A, B, and C). Note: More overlap is expected for discovery than for use and understanding concepts.

The ESIP Community supports a vast array of systems that are accessed and utilized by a diverse group of users. Historically, groups within the community have approached metadata differently in order to effectively describe their data. As a result, similar dialects have emerged to address specific user requirements. The multi-dialect approach described above hinders interoperability— as it results in different terminology being used to describe the same concepts. By clearly depicting fundamental documentation needs and concepts and mapping to them in the different dialects, confusion is minimized and interoperability is facilitated. Thus, demonstrating connections between dialects increases discoverability, accessibility, and reusability of data via consistent, compatible metadata.

This document describes the connections between fundamental concepts in dialects used throughout the ESIP Community – such that effective communication is maintained even when different metadata models are employed.

Preface

The following pages are intended to help understand connections between metadata dialects in order to implement complete and consistent metadata. For convenience, this reference is divided into 5 major sections, consisting of: Introductory Material, Documentation Recommendations, Metadata Implementation, Documentation Selection Scenarios, and the Appendices. Each of these sections is further divided into subsections. For your reference, a full table of contents is provide below.

Table of Contents

Section 1 - Let's Start at the Beginning

Section 1 Background

Documentation Terminology

Metadata Dialects

Documentation Guidance Methods