1. Introduction / Summary¶
1.1 On the Importance of Metadata in Science¶
The importance of high quality metadata is crucial due to continuous production of new research data. Although detailed description of research data through metadata is often considered burdensome: in order to allow reuse of data during the research process, the creation and maintenance of meaningful metadata is essential. Citing Jason Scott: “Metadata is a love note to the future“.1
In the context of research, metadata is a „structured set of information which describes data […] stored in administrative systems“2. Correspondingly metadata contain, a short summary about the content, purpose, quality, location of the data as well as information related to its creation“.
This significance of metadata has also been recognized on a political level, materialising for example through the implementation of many legal provisions (e.g. INSPIRE). To meet these requirements, UFZ aims to develop an overarching Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI). SDI aims to provide technical features and appropriate know-how to facilitate the maintenance and effective management of research data as well as the corresponding metadata.
1.2 GeoNetwork: Catalog App for Spatial Metadata¶
The implementation of GeoNetwork is part of SDI at UFZ. Other parts of SDI deal with effective storage or visualization of spatial data. “GeoNetwork opensource is a standard based and decentralised spatial information management system, designed to enable access to geo-referenced databases and cartographic products from a variety of data providers through descriptive metadata” is written on the GeoNetwork website“3. The application provides the following features for its users:
- Creation, editing, management, and publication of spatial metadata
- Use of common standards (ISO 191xx, DublinCore)
- Option to link various data types and formats
- Web Map Viewer included
- Differentiated system for management of users, roles, and permissions
The present user manual is written for all employees of UFZ, who are in contact with spatial data and therefore reliant on metadata. It introduces the fundamental features of GeoNetwork. Its aim is to allow and facilitate the effective usage, creation, maintenance and management of high quality metadata.