Examples of datasets, mostly from paperbased systems, that have been re-used because their authenticity and integrity is identifed and identifiable. We know what was created and why. We know how it was used at the time, and because of the way the projects have been set up, we know what has been done, and is being done to the data to make it accessible. Old Weather – transcription of shipping logs, because the data includes details of where the ship was, time, etc, from trained and experienced observers. Mapping our Anzacs – uses data from the National Archives of Australia to provide a geographic interface to a set of records – “In our main collection database, RecordSearch, the title field for each service record contains a lot of information: the person’s name, their service number (if any – or that they were a nurse or chaplain), place of birth, place of enlistment and next of kin. “ Old Bailey online – again authenticity the key – elements of the data identifiable and trackable. Museum Search – a different sort of data set, using the data created by museums to track users.
Types of metadata – the first three are from NISO – not for profit organisations accredited by ANSI. Descriptive metadata describes a resource for purposes such as discovery and identification. It can include elements such as title, abstract, author, and keywords. • Structural metadata indicates how compound objects are put together, for example, how pages are ordered to form chapters. • Administrative metadata provides information to help manage a resource, such as when and how it was created, file type and other technical information, and who can access it.Structural Use – how was the data used, or re-used, Has it been shared? Preservation – includes how it is stored, has it been copied, displayed, amended, repaired, migrated….
We are clearly good at, or concerned with descriptive metadata. Recent study into social media for museums shows that most crowdsourcing projects relate to development of descriptive metadata. But while this helps find the data, it will not store your data (except the metadata), and it will not help you save your data. Only some active consideration of formats at time of creation and throughout the retention of the data will work. Need to consider use of Open formats, international standards – over to Meg