Chapter 2: Metadata Standards

Transcription

1 Chapter 2: Metadata Standards Explanation of Metadata Amendments to the FGDC Standard Section Section Section Section Additions to the FGDC Standard i

2 Chapter 2: Metadata Standards Metadata is information about data that enables it to be used correctly and to remain useful for an extended period of time. This includes how it was collected, the purpose for its collection, who collected and/or developed it, what period of time it covered, and so on. The collection of metadata is an important component of the ATRI system. It will help the user identify data that are potentially useful, help ensure that the data are used correctly in accordance with its original intent, and aid in the data s interpretation, while minimizing the need to consult with the data s original developer. ATRI is creating tools and providing personnel to assist data owners with metadata development. Metadata requirements for the ATRI system are based upon the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD ) with the extended elements of the Biological Data Profile (FGDC-STD ). Compliance with this standard enables compatibility with the majority of metadata being produced and accepted in other metadata clearinghouses. An abbreviated description of the metadata elements is included below. A thorough discussion of the metadata elements and their definitions, as well as a graphical representation of the required elements, is available online at and for the extended elements of the Biological Data Profile. Additions and amendments to the standard for the ATRI system are designed such that the resulting metadata record would still comply with the federal standard. Existing metadata elements affected by these changes are underscored in the explanation below and described in the following section. Explanation of Metadata Mandatory, mandatory if applicable, and optional status of the data elements are indicated by the following font styles. Main headings (compound elements) are in all caps and then modified as below to indicate whether they are required or not Mandatory data are in bold face Mandatory if Applicable data are in normal text Optional data are in smaller italicized print As clarification, if, for example, a mandatory item appears under an optional item (e.g. Security Classification under SECURITY INFMATION) then if the optional item has been filled out, it must contain that mandatory item. If the optional item was not filled out, then the mandatory item beneath it is not required either. Metadata 144

3 Section 1. Identification Information CITATION (see Section 8) information to be used to reference the dataset. DESCRIPTION a characterization of the dataset, including its intended use and limitations Abstract a brief narrative summary of the dataset Purpose a summary of the intentions with which the dataset was developed Supplemental Information other descriptive information about the dataset TIME PERIOD OF CONTENT time period(s) for which the dataset corresponds to the currentness reference Time Period Information (see Section 9) information about the date and time of an event Currentness Reference the basis on which the time period of content information is determined (e.g. ground condition or publication date ) STATUS the state of and maintenance information for the data set Progress the state of the data set Maintenance and Update Frequency- the frequency with which changes and additions are made to the dataset after the initial dataset is completed SPATIAL DOMAIN - the geographic areal domain of the dataset Description of Geographic Extent a short description of the geographic areal domain of the dataset Bounding Rectangle Coordinates expression of the limits of coverage in lat./long. Elevation Min/Max. maximum and minimum elevation extent of coverage DATASET BOUNDARY coordinates defining the outline of an area covered by a dataset expressed in lat/long Outer Boundary (Outer G-Ring) the closed nonintersecting boundary of an interior area Interior Exclusion Area (Exclusion G-Ring) the closed nonintersecting boundary of a void area (or hole ) inside an area KEYWDS words or phrases summarizing an aspect of the dataset Theme Keyword Thesaurus reference to a registered thesaurus or another authoritiative source of theme keywords Theme Keyword common-use word or phrase used to describe the subject of the dataset PLACE geographic locations characterized by the dataset Place Keyword Thesaurus - reference to a registered thesaurus or another authoritiative source of place keywords Place Keyword the geographic name of a location covered by a dataset STRATUM layered, vertical locations characterized by the dataset Stratum Keyword Thesaurus - reference to a registered thesaurus or an authoritiative source of stratum keywords Stratum Keyword the name of a vertical location used to describe the locations covered by a dataset TEMPAL time period characterized by the dataset Temporal Keyword Thesaurus reference to a registered thesaurus or authoritiative source of temporal keywords Temporal Keyword the name of a time period covered by a dataset TAXONOMY information on the taxa included in the dataset Taxonomic Keyword Thesaurus - reference to a registered thesaurus or authoritiative source of taxonomic keywords Metadata 145

4 Taxonomic Keyword common-use words or phrases describing the taxonomy covered by the dataset TAXONOMIC SYSTEM - Documentation of taxonomic sources, procedures, and treatments Classification System Citation - Information about the classification system or authority used (see Section 8) Classification System Modifications - A description of any modifications or exceptions made to the classification system or authority used Identification Reference - Information on any non-authoritative materials (e.g. field guides) useful for reconstructing the actual identification process (see Section 8) Identifier - Information about the individual(s) responsible for the identification(s) of the specimens or sightings, etc (see Section 8) Taxonomic Procedures - Description of the methods used for the taxonomic identification. Could include specimen processing, comparison with museum materials, keys and key characters, chemical or genetic analyses, etc Taxonomic Completeness - Information concerning the proportions and treatment of unidentified materials (i.e. materials sent to experts, and not yet determined); estimates of the importance, and identities of misidentifications, uncertain determinations, synonyms or other incorrect usages; taxa not well treated or requiring further work; and expertise of field workers Vouchers - Information on the types of specimen, the repository, and the individuals who identified the vouchers Specimen - a word or phrase describing the type of specimen collected (e.g. herbarium specimens, blood samples, photographs, individuals, or batches). Repository - information about the curator or contact person and/or agency responsible for the specimens (see Section 8) General Taxonomic Coverage - A description of the range of taxa addressed in the data set or collection. For example, "all vascular plants were identified to family or species, mosses and lichens were identified as moss or lichen TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION - Information about the range of taxa addressed in the data set or collection. It is recommended that one provide information starting from the taxonomic rank of kingdom, to a level which reflects the data set or collection being documented. The levels of Kingdom, Division/Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species should be included as ranks as appropriate (see example) Taxon Rank Name - the name of the taxonomic rank for which the Taxon_Rank_Value is provided Taxon Rank Value - the name representing the taxonomic rank of the taxon being described Applicable Common Name - Specification of applicable common names. These common names may be general descriptions of a group of organisms if appropriate (e.g. insects, vertebrate, waterfowl, vascular plants, etc.) ACCESS CONSTRAINTS Access Constraints restrictions and legal prerequisites for accessing the dataset including access constraints applied to assure the protection of privacy or intellectual property, and any special restrictions or limitations on obtaining the dataset Use Constraints restrictions and legal prerequisites for using the dataset after access is granted Point of Contact contact information for individual or organization that is knowledgeable about the dataset (see Section 8) Metadata 146

5 BROWSE GRAPHICS a graphic that provides an illustration of the dataset Browse Graphic File Name Browse Graphic File Description text description of illustration Browse Graphic File Type Dataset Credit recognition of those who contributed to the dataset SECURITY INFMATION handling restrictions imposed on the dataset because of national security Security Classification System name of the classification system Security Classification - name of the handling restrictions on the dataset Security Handling Description additional information about the restrictions on handling the dataset Native Dataset Environment a description of the datset in the producer s processing environment including software name, operating system, file name, dataset size, etc. Cross Reference information about other, related datasets that are likely to be of interest (see Section 8) ANALYTICAL TOOL - Tools, models, or statistical procedures that the data set is intrinsically bound to and are available for use in analyzing the data set. Examples include reconstructions of phylogenies, population viability analyses, community ordinations, most atmospheric and hydrological transport analyses, and inferences on the effects of climate change on forest composition and productivity. Enough information should be included such that a potential data user can easily determine why they might wish to acquire the analytical tool, and the methodology to acquire it. Analytical Tool Description - Description of the analytical tool, model, or statistical procedure TOOL ACCESS INFMATION - Information on the steps required to access the tool Tool Network Resource Name Tool Access Instructions - Instructions on the steps required to access the tool, model, or statistical procedure Tool Computer and Operating System - The brand of computer and its operating system that the tool, model, or statistical procedure requires Tool Contact - The party from whom the tool, model, or statistical procedure may be obtained (see Section 8) Tool Citation - Citation information about the tool, model, or statistical procedure (see Section 8) Metadata 147

6 Section 2. Data Quality Information ATTRIBUTE ACCURACY an assessment of the accuracy of the identification of entities and assignment of attribute values in the dataset Attribute Accuracy Report an explanation of the accuracy of the identification of the entities and assignments of values in the dataset and a description of the tests used QUANTITATIVE ATTRIBUTE ACCURACY ASSESSMENT a value assigned to summarize the accuracy of the identification of the entities and assignments of values in the dataset and the identification of the test that yielded the value Attribute Accuracy Value an estimate of the accuracy of the identification of the entities and assignments of attribute values in the dataset Attribute Accuracy Explanation the identification of the test that yielded the Attribute Accuracy Value Logical Consistency Report an explanation of the fidelity of relationships in the dataset and test used Completeness Report information about omissions, selection criteria, generalizations, definitions used, and other rules used to derive the dataset POSITIONAL ACCURACY an assessment of the accuracy of the positions of spatial objects HIZONTAL POSITIONAL ACCURACY - an assessment of the accuracy of the horizontal positions in the dataset Horizontal Positional Accuracy Report an explanation of the accuracy of the horizontal coordinate measurements and a description of the test used QUANTITATIVE HIZONTAL POSITIONAL ACCURACY ASSESSMENT numeric value assigned to summarize the accuracy of the horizontal coordinate measurements and the identification of the test that yielded the value Horizontal Positional Accuracy Value an estimate of the accuracy of the horizontal coordinate measurements in the dataset expressed in (ground) meters Horizontal Positional Accuracy Explanation the identification of the test that yielded the Horizontal Positional Accuracy Value VERTICAL POSITIONAL ACCURACY - an assessment of the accuracy of the vertical positions in the dataset Vertical Positional Accuracy Report an dxplanation of the accuracy of the vertical coordinate measurements and a description of the tests used QUANTITATIVE VERTICAL POSITIONAL ACCURACY ASSESSMENT numeric value assigned to summarize the accuracy of vertical coordinate measurements and the identification of the test that yielded the value Vertical Positional Accuracy Value - an estimate of the accuracy of the vertical coordinate measurements in the dataset expressed in (ground) meters Vertical Positional Accuracy Explanation - the identification of the test that yielded the Vertical Positional Accuracy Value LINEAGE information about the events, parameters, and source data which constructed the dataset, and information about the responsible parties METHODOLOGY - Information about a single step of field and/or laboratory work Methodology Type - The type of methodology being documented, such as field or laboratory methodology METHODOLOGY IDENTIFIER - The name of a method used in the field or laboratory work Methodology Keyword Thesaurus - Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of methodology keywords Metadata 148

7 Methodology Keyword - Keywords or phrases summarizing the field or laboratory methods used Methodology Description - Equivalent to "Materials and Methods" in a journal article. Describe the physical methods used to gather data, the experimental design, sample frequency, treatments or strata, statistical and spatial design of the sampling, and sample completeness, representativeness, and biases. For example, in a bird survey, relevant elements would include the methods used to detect species occurrences (casual sightings, transects, focal point surveys, vocalizations, mist nets), whether or not evidence of breeding activity was required, descriptions of the habitat strata in a stratified design, and known biases (e.g., non-territorial birds were undersampled, and some juveniles could not be identified to species.) Methodology Citation - Information referencing the methods used (see Section 8) SOURCE INFMATION list of sources and a short discussion of the information contributed by each Source Citation reference for a source dataset (see Section 8) Source Scale Denominator the denominator of the representative fraction on a map Type of Source Media medium of source data SOURCE TIME PERIOD OF CONTENT time period(s) for which the source dataset corresponds to the ground Time Period Information - time period(s) for which source dataset corresponds to the ground (see Section 8) Source Currentness Reference the basis on which the source time period of content information of the source dataset is determined Source Citation Abbreviation short-form alias for the source citation Source Contribution brief statement identifying the information contributed by the source to the dataset PROCESS STEP information about a single event Process Description an explanation of the event and related parameters or tolerances Source Used Citation Abbreviation the Source Citation Abbreviation of a dataset used in the processing step Process Date the date when the event was completed Process Time the time when the event was completed Source Produced Citation Abbreviation the Source Citation Abbreviation of an intermediate dataset that (1) is significant in the opionion of the data producer, (2) is generated in the processing step, and (3) is used in later processing steps Process Contact the party responsible for the processing step information (see Section 10) Cloud Cover area of a dataset obstructed by clouds Metadata 149

8 Section 3. Spatial Data Organization Information Indirect Spatial Reference name of types of geograhic features, addressing schemes, or other means through which locations are referenced in the dataset Direct Spatial Reference Method the system of objects used to represent space in the dataset (point, vector, raster) optional POINT AND VECT OBJECT INFMATION (the types and numbers of vector or nongridded point spatial objects in the dataset) SDTS TERMS DESCRIPTION point and vector object information using the terminology and concepts from Spatial Data Concepts SDTS Point and Vector Object Type name of point and vector spatial objects used to locate zero-, one-, and two-dimensional spatial locations in the dataset Point and Vector Object Count the total number of the point or vector object type occurring in the dataset VPF TERMS DESCRIPTION point and vector information using the terminology and concepts from Department of Defense, 1992, Vector Product Format RASTER OBJECT INFMATION (the types and numbers of raster spatial objects in the dataset) Raster Object Type raster spatial objects used to locate zero-, two-, or threedimensional locations in the dataset (point, pixel, grid cell, voxel) optional Row Count the maximum number of raster objects along the ordinate (y) axis. For use with rectangular raster objects Column Count the maximum number of raster objects along the abscissa (x) axis. For use with rectangular raster objects Vertical Count the maximum number of raster objects along the vertical (z) axis. For use with rectangular volumetric raster objects (voxels) VPF Topology Level the completeness of the topology carried by the dataset VPF Point and Vector Object Type name of point and vector spatial objects used to locate zero-, one-, and two-dimensional spatial locations in the dataset (node, edge, face, text) VPF Point and Vector Object Count the total number of the point or vector object type occurring in the data set Metadata 150

9 Section 4. Spatial Reference Information HIZONTAL CODINATE SYSTEM DEFINITION the reference frame or system from which linear or angular quantities are measured and assigned to the position that a point occupies GEOGRAPHIC the quantities of latitude and longitude which define the position of a point on the Earth s surface with respect to a reference spheroid Latitude Resolution the minimum difference between two adjacent latitude values Longitude Resolution the minimum difference between two adjacent longitude values Geographic Coordinate Units units of measure used for the latitude and longitude values PLANAR the quantities of distances, or distances and angles, which define the position of a point on a reference plane to which the surface of the Earth has been projected Map Projection Values defining the projection Grid Coordinate System Values defining the projection Local Planar Description Local Planar Georeference Information PLANAR CODINATE INFMATION Planar Coordinate Encoding Method the means used to represent horizontal positions CODINATE REPRESENTATION the method of encoding the position of a point by measuring its distance from perpendicular reference axes Abscissa Resolution Ordinate Resolution DISTANCE AND BEARING RESOLUTION a method of encoding the position of a point by measuring its distance and direction from another point Distance Resolution Bearing Resolution Bearing Units Bearing Reference Direction Bearing Reference Meridian Planar Distance Units units of measure used for distances LOCAL a description of any coordinate system that is not aligned with the surface of the Earth Local Description a description of the coordinate system and its orientation to the surface of the Earth Local Georeference Information a description of the information provided to register the local system to the Earth Metadata 151

10 GEODETIC MODEL parameters for the shape of the earth Horizontal Datum Name the reference system used for defining the coordinates of points Ellipsoid Name established representations of the Earth s shape Semi-major Axis radius of the equatorial axis of the ellipsoid Denominator of Flattening Ratio the denominator of the ratio of the difference between the equatorial and polar radii of the ellipsoid when the numerator is set to 1 VERTICAL CODINATE SYSTEM DEFINITION ALTITUDE SYSTEM DEFINITION Altitude Datum Name the surface of reference from which altitudes are measured Altitude Resolution the minimum distance possible between two adjacent altitude values Altitude Distance Units units in which altitudes are recorded Altitude Encoding Method the means used to encode the altitudes DEPTH SYSTEM DEFINITION the reference frame or system from which depths are measured Depth Datum Name the surface of reference from which depths are measured Depth Resolution the minimum distance possible between two adjacent depth values Depth Distance Units units in which depths are measured Depth Encoding Method the means used to encode depths Metadata 152

11 Section 5. Entity and Attribute Information DETAILED DESCRIPTION description of entities, attributes, attribute value, and related characteristics encoded in the dataset ENTITY TYPE the definition and description of a set into which similar entity instances are classified Entity Type Label the name of the entity type Entity Type Definition the description of the entity type Entity Type Definition Source the authority of the definition ATTRIBUTE a defined characteristic of an entity Attribute Label the name of the attribute Attribute Definition the description of the attribute Attribute Definition Source the authority of the definition ATTRIBUTE DOMAIN VALUES the valid values that can be assigned for an attribute ENUMERATED DOMAIN Enumerated Domain Value Enumerated Domain Value Definition Enumerated Domain Value Definition Source RANGE DOMAIN Range Domain Minimum Range Domain Maximum CODESET DOMAIN Codeset Name Codeset Source UNREPRESENTABLE DOMAIN Attribute Units of Measure the standard of measurement for an attribute value Attribute Measurement Resolution the smallest unit increment to which an attribute value is measured DATE OF ATTRIBUTE VALUES Beginning Date of Attribute Values earliest or only date for which the attribute values are current Ending Date of Attribute Values latest date for which the information is current ATTRIBUTE VALUE ACCURACY INFMATION an assessment of the accuracy of the assignment of attribute values Attribute Value Accuracy an estimate of the accuracy of the assignment of attribute values Attribute Value Accuracy Explanation the definition of the Attribute Value Accuracy measure and units, and a description of how the estimate was derived Attribute Measurement Frequency the frequency with which attribute values are added AND/ OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION summary of, and citation to detailed description of, the information content of the dataset Entity and Attribute Overview detailed summary of the information contained in a dataset Entity and Attribute Detail Citation reference to the complete description of the entity types, attributes, and attribute values for the dataset Metadata 153

12 Section 6. Distribution Information Distributor the party from whom the data set may be obtained (see section 10) Distribution Liability statement of the liability assumed by the distributor. Resource Description the identifier by which the distributor knows the data set. STANDARD DER PROCESS the common ways in which the data set may be obtained or received, and related instructions and fee information. Non-digital Form the description of options for obtaining the data set on non-computer-compatible media. DIGITAL FM the description of options for obtaining the data set on computer-compatible media. DIGITAL TRANSFER INFMATION description of the form of the data to be distributed. (additional elements) DIGITAL TRANSFER OPTIONS the means and media by which a data set is obtained from the distributor. (additional elements) Fees the fees and terms for retrieving the data set. Ordering Instructions general instructions and advice about, and special terms and services provided for, the data set by the distributor. Turnaround typical turnaround time for the filling of an order. Custom Order Process description of custom distribution services available, and the terms and conditions for obtaining these services. Technical Prerequisites description of any technical capabilities that the consumer must have to use the data set in the form(s) provided by the distributor. Available Time Period the time period when the data set will be available from the distributor (see section 9) Section 7. Metadata Reference Information Metadata Date the date that the metadata were created or last updated Metadata Review Date the date of the lastest review of the metadata entry Metadata Future Review Date the date by which the metadata entry should be reviewed Metadata Contact the party responsible for the metadata information (See Section 10) Metadata Standard Name the name of the metadata standard used to document the dataset Metadata Standard Version identification of the version of the metadata standard used to document the dataset Metadata Time Convention form used to convey time of day information in the metadata entry, if applicable Metadata Access Constraints restrictions and legal prerequisites for accessing the metadata Metadata Use Constraints restrictions and legal prerequisites for using the metadata METADATA SECURITY INFMATION handling restrictions on the metadata because of national security, privacy, etc. Metadata Security Classification System name of the classification system for the metadata Metadata Security Classification name of the handling restrictions of the metadata Metadata 154

13 Metadata Security Handling Description additional information about the restrictions on handling the metadata METADATA EXTENSIONS a reference to extended elements outside the standard, but needed by the metadata producer Online Linkage an online computer resource that contains the metadata extension information for the dataset Profile Name the name given to a document that describes the application of the Standard Section 8. Citation Information Originator the name of an organization or individual that developed the dataset Publication Date the date when the dataset is published or otherwise made available for release Publication Time the time of day when the dataset is published or otherwise made available for release Title the name by which the dataset is known Edition the version of the title Data Presentation Form the mode in which the geospatial data are represented SERIES INFMATION the identification of the series publication of which the dataset is a part Series Name the name of the series publication of which the dataset is a part Issue Identification information identifying the issue of the series publication of which the dataset is a part PUBLICATION INFMATION publication details for published datasets Publication Place the name of the city where the dataset was published or released Publisher the name of the individual or organization that published the dataset Other Citation Details other information required to complete the citation Online Linkage the name of an online computer resource that contains the dataset Larger Work Citation the information identifying a larger work in which the dataset is included (repeat Section 8) Section 9. Time Period Information SINGLE DATE/TIME means of encoding a single date and time Calendar Date the year (and optionally month and/or day) Time of Day the hour (and optionally minute and/or second) of the day GEOLOGIC AGE - A name, code, or date describing an event or period in geologic time, either an absolute date calculated using a named dating method, or a relative date that is drawn from stratigraphy or biostratigraphy Geologic Time Scale - Name of a recognized geologic time scale. Geologic Age Estimate - Either an absolute geologic date or a relative geologic age name describing an event or period in geologic time based on the Geologic Time Scale Geologic Age Uncertainty - The error estimate for the geologic time. Geologic Age Explanation - The name and/or description of the method used to calculate the Geologic Age Estimate Geologic Citation - Citation for detailed information about any element of the Geologic Age (see Section 8) Metadata 155

14 MULTIPLE DATES/TIMES means of encoding multiple individual dates and times Calendar Date the year (and optionally month and/or day) Time of Day the hour (and optionally minute and/or second) of the day RANGE OF DATES/TIMES means of encoding a range of dates and times Beginning Date the first year (and optionally month and/or day) of the event Beginning Time the first hour (and optionally minute and/or second) of the day for the event Beginning Geologic Age - Name, code, or date for the start of an event or period in geologic time (see Geologic Age ) Ending Date the last year (and optionally month and/or day) for the event Ending Time the last hour (and optionally minute and/or second of the day for the event Ending Geologic Age - Name, code, or date for the end of an event or period in geologic time (see Geologic Age ) Section 10. Contact Information CONTACT PERSON PRIMARY the person, and the affiliation of the person, associated with the dataset Contact Person the name of the individual to which the contact type applies Contact Organization the name of the organization to which the contact type applies CONTACT GANIZATION PRIMARY the organization, and the member of the organization, associated with the dataset Contact Organization the organization associated with the dataset Contact Person the member of the organization associated with the dataset Contact Position the title of the individual CONTACT ADDRESS the address for the organization or individual Address Type the information provided by the address Address an address line for the address City the city of the address State or Province the state or province of the address Postal Code the ZIP or other postal code of the address Country the country of the address Contact Voice Telephone the telephone number by which individuals can speak to the organization or individual Contact TDD/TTY Telephone the telephone number so hearing-impaired individuals can contact the organization or individual Contact Facsimile Telephone the telephone number of a facsimile machine of the organization or individual Contact Electronic Mail Address the address of the electronic mailbox of the organization or individual Hours of Service time period when individuals can speak to the organization or individual Contact Instructions supplemental instructions on how or when to contact the individual or organization Metadata 156

15 Amendments to the FGDC Standard SECTION 1 Bounding Rectangle Coordinates This provides the latitude and longitude coordinates bounding the area covered by the dataset. This is not required to be included with the metadata record, but a detailed Description of Geographic Extent must exist to enable the ATRI data coordinator to determine what these values should be after the metadata is submitted. Classification System Citation, Classification System Modifications, and Taxonomic Procedures common entries for the domain values will be included in the ATRI metadata documentation to facilitate the description of common datasets. This is to simplify these requirements for common organisms while still allowing for rigorous description of taxonomic procedures utilized for uncommon or hard-to-identify organisms. Vouchers Some datasets may have vouchering information within the data structure on a recordby-record basis. If this is the case, it is sufficient for the entry for this element to state where in the dataset this information can be located (e.g. table and field names) Use Constraints This element should include not only the restrictions and legal requisites specified in the definition, but also any information on the scientific constraints necessary for the appropriate use of the data (e.g. statewide data should not be used for site-specific analysis). Point of Contact This should be a mandatory field in ATRI. It is critically important that users have access to an individual or organization that is knowledgeable about the dataset. Ideally, the identified contact should be the data custodian responsible for the dataset. Native Data Set Environment This should be a mandatory field in ATRI if the metadata item is in a digital format. Necessary information would include the size of the dataset or file and the number of records in a dataset, reported in specific whole numbers or in a range of numbers (e.g. 10 s, 100 s, or 1,000 s of records). SECTION 2 Attribute Accuracy Report, Logical Consistency Report, and Completeness Report These sections may be complicated to fill out, but they contain important information and should be included. To assist in entering information into these elements, the ATRI metadata documentation will include examples of the types of entries expected for each of these fields. Positional Accuracy The positional accuracy of data in the dataset is directly related to how it was collected. See related information in the Locational Data Policy (Chapter Four) for accuracy information relating to the method of collection that was used. Methodology The Methodology portion is applicable for biological datasets. Therefore, for biological databases it is mandatory. Metadata 157

16 Process Step for biological databases, the Methodology is likely to be the important thing under Lineage. Unless further data processing was done, a valid entry for Process Description under Process Step is see Methodology. SECTION 8 Originator The current definition of this element is the name of an organization or individual that developed the data set. Because this item includes all of the citations (literature, procedures, etc.) used/cited elsewhere in the metadata (e.g. in Taxonomic Classification System Citation), the definition should not be restricted to only those organizations or individuals involved in the development of the dataset. SECTION 10 Contact Voice Telephone or Contact Facsimile Telephone or Contact Electronic Mail Address One of these three elements should be mandatory. It is now sufficient to provide only an address for contact information. Additions to the FGDC Standard ATRI will be collecting and storing additional metadata elements about datasets. Most of this information, however, will not need to be submitted by the dataset owner. These elements are needed for classification of the dataset to facilitate searching within the application and repository information dealing with data access, management and application creation. These elements are transparent to the user and would not be included with any metadata record that they could view. The only element that is an actual addition to the FGDC standard is the following optional element: Notice Text An optional data element that would contain an important statement about a dataset. This information will be prominently displayed before the metadata file to ensure that users of the application are notified of important information about the dataset relating to its use, status, etc. Metadata 158