Beyond Data Discovery: Shared Services for Community Metadata Improvement

The Hdf Group, Champaign IL

Investigators

Abstract

Science data and results must be well documented in order to be reproducible and re-usable. Metadata -- ancillary contextual information such as science objectives, data provenance, and uncertainty estimates at each step -- is a fundamental part of the research documentation, reuse, and collaboration process. This project develops flexible tools for evaluating metadata, using consistent measurement systems that encourage community engagement, integrate guidance for improvement, and are a critical element in cross-community metadata improvement efforts. Provision of these new metadata and data evaluation services across communities will improve the ability to integrate and reuse trustworthy data for crosscutting synthesis and analysis across science communities. The focus on use metadata rather than discovery metadata is a significant shift in focus. Use metadata is a fundamental building block needed to allow effective scientific analysis workflows. The team builds a significant collaboration with several interdisciplinary partner organizations that provide guidance to this project.