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CIESIN's Guide to FGDC Compliant Metadata

1. Identification Information

Identification Information provides basic information about a data set.

1. Identification Information  (Mandatory)

CONTAINS:

1.1 Citation  (Mandatory)
1.2 Description  (Mandatory)
1.3 Time Period of Content  (Mandatory)
1.4 Status  (Mandatory)
1.5 Spatial Domain  (Mandatory)
1.6 Keywords  (Mandatory)
1.7 Access Constraints  (Mandatory)
1.8 Use Constraints  (Mandatory)
1.9 Point of Contact  (Optional)
1.10 Browse Graphic   (Optional)
1.11 Data Set Credit  (Optional)
1.12 Security Information  (Optional)
1.13 Native Data Set Environment  (Optional)
1.14 Cross Reference  (Optional)

NOTE: This guide only provides information concerning optionality at the section level and top level elements within each section. Keep in mind that the optionality of a section or compound element always takes precedence over the elements that it contains, and if deemed applicable, then the optionality of its subordinate elements is to be interpreted. Refer to either the FGDC Metadata Workbook, Version 2.0 or Section 1 of the USGS's "Image Map of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata", a graphical representation of the Standard for rules concerning optionality.


1.1 Citation

Definition: Information to be used to reference the dataset.

Guidelines and examples for applying the metadata sub-elements for Citation are contained in Section 8 (Citation Information).


1.2 Description

Description provides a characterization of the dataset. It includes details on what the resource is about, why it was created, and allows for additional information specific to the resource that is not covered elsewhere in the metadata record. This metadata element contains the following sub-elements:

1.2.1 Abstract

Definition: A brief narrative of the dataset or information resource. The first sentence of an abstract should always identify by full title the item being described. See Appendix 4. Writing Abstracts for a detailed discussion on writing abstracts.

Format: Free text.

Example: Abstract: Gridded Population of the World (GPW), Version 2.0 (v2) consists of estimates of human population for the years 1995 and 1990 by 2.5 arc-minute grid cells. The 3 products are population counts (raw counts), population densities (per square km), and land area (actual area net of ice and water), all of which are available in two GIS-compatible data formats at the global, continent (Antarctica not included), and country levels. A proportional allocation gridding algorithm, utilizing 127,105 national and sub-national administrative units, is used to assign population values to grid cells. Advantages to GPW v2 include higher quality data from the U.S., Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe, Russia, New Zealand, and India; 8 times the number of administrative units; national population estimates that have been adjusted to match the United Nations national estimated population for each country; a proportional allocation algorithm that reduces error with multiple input polygons; and higher spatial resolution. GPW v2 is produced by the Columbia University Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the World Resources Institute (WRI).

Abstract: Chinese County-Level Data on Hospitals and Epidemiology Stations, 1950-1985 consists of hospital and epidemiological station data for the administrative regions of China from 1950 to 1985. The data includes name and years of operation at a scale of one to one million (1:1M) at the county level. This dataset is produced in collaboration with the University of Washington as part of the China in Time and Space (CITAS) project, and the Columbia University Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN).

1.2.2 Purpose

Definition: A summary of the intentions with which the dataset was developed.

Format: Free text.

Example:
Purpose: To provide access to and enhance the use of information worldwide, advancing understanding of human interactions in the environment, and serving the needs of science, and public and private decision making.

Purpose: To provide consultants, planners, and resource managers with information on wetland location and type. The data were collected to meet U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mandate to map the wetland and deep water habitats of the United States.

1.2.3 Supplemental Information

Definition: Additional descriptive information about the dataset.

Format: Free text.

Example:
Supplemental Information: This is the first version of the Global Subnational Infant Mortality Rates dataset. If you discover any errors or have any issues with the data, please let us know at ciesin.info@ciesin.columbia.edu.


1.3 Time Period of Content

Definition: The time period(s) to which the dataset corresponds to the currentness reference.

Guidelines and examples for applying the metadata sub-elements for Time Period of Content are contained in Section 9 (Time Period).

1.3.1 Currentness Reference

Definition: The basis on which the Time Period of Content information is determined; provides information about how up-to-date the dataset is.

Format: Free Text.

Example:
Currentness Reference
: ground condition
Currentness Reference
: publication date


1.4 Status

Status includes the state of, and maintenance information for the dataset. This metadata element contains the following sub-elements:

1.4.1 Progress

Definition: The state of the dataset.

Format: Controlled text.

Example:
Progress: complete
Progress: in work
Progress: planned

1.4.2 Maintenance and Update Frequency

Definition: The frequency with which changes and additions are made to the dataset after the initial dataset completed.

Format: Free text.

Example:
Maintenance and Update Frequency: continually
Maintenance and Update Frequency
: daily
Maintenance and Update Frequency
: weekly
Maintenance and Update Frequency
: monthly
Maintenance and Update Frequency
: annually
Maintenance and Update Frequency
: unknown
Maintenance and Update Frequency
: as needed
Maintenance and Update Frequency
: irregular
Maintenance and Update Frequency
: none planned


1.5 Spatial Domain

Spatial Domain provides the geographic areal domain of the dataset. This metadata element contains the following sub-elements:

1.5.1 Bounding Coordinates

The limits of coverage of a dataset expressed by latitude and longitude values in the order western-most, eastern-most, northern-most, and southern-most. For datasets that include a complete band of latitude around the earth, the West Bounding Coordinate shall be assigned the value -180.0, and the East Bounding Coordinate shall be assigned the value 180.0.

1.5.1.1 West Bounding Coordinate

Definition: The western-most coordinate of the limit of coverage expressed in longitude.

Format: Real; range from -180.0 to 180.0 longitude.

Example:
West Bounding Coordinate: 74.5
West Bounding Coordinate: -10.0

1.5.1.2 East Bounding Coordinate

Definition: The eastern-most coordinate of the limit of coverage expressed in longitude.

Format: Real; range from -180.0 to 180.0 longitude.

Example:
East Bounding Coordinate
: 100.2
East Bounding Coordinate
: -55.7

1.5.1.3 North Bounding Coordinate

Definition: The northern-most coordinate of the limit of coverage expressed in latitude.

Format: Real; range from -90.0 to 90.0 latitude.

Example:
North Bounding Coordinate
: 40.8
North Bounding Coordinate
: -22.7

1.5.1.4 South Bounding Coordinate

Definition: The southern-most coordinate of the limit of coverage expressed in latitude.

Format: Real; range from -90.0 to 90.0 latitude.

Example:
South Bounding Coordinate
: 6.0
South Bounding Coordinate: -72.2

1.5.2 Data Set G-Polygon

Coordinates defining the outline of an area covered by the dataset.

1.5.2.1 Data Set G-Polygon Outer Ring

The closed nonintersecting boundary of an interior area.

1.5.2.1.1 G-Ring Point

A single geographic location.

1.5.2.1.1.1 G-Ring Latitude

Definition: The latitude of the point of the g-ring.

Format: Real; range from -90.0 to 90.0 latitude.

Example:
G-Ring Latitude
: 13.0
G-Ring Latitude
: -33.2

1.5.2.1.1.2 G-Ring Longitudegrounded0101

Definition: The longitude of the point of the g-ring.

Format: Real; range from -180.0 to 180.0 longitude.

Example:
G-Ring Longitude
: 85.4
G-Ring Longitude
: -134.6

1.5.2.1.2 G-Ring

Definition: A set of ordered pairs of floating-point numbers, separated by commas, in which the first number in each pair is the longitude of a point and the second is the latitude of the point. Longitude and latitude are specified in decimal degrees with north latitudes positive and south negative, east longitude positive and west negative.

Format: Real; range from -180.0 to 180.0 longitude, -90.0 to 90.0 latitude.

Example:
G-Ring: -76.0 40.0, -76.0 42.0, -74.0 42.0, -74.0 40.0
G-Ring: 30.0 -30.0, 30.0 -25.0, 35.0 -25.0, 35.0 -30.0

1.5.2.2 Data Set G-Polygon Exclusion G-Ring

The closed nonintersecting boundary of a void area (or "hole" in an interior area).


1.6 Keywords

Keywords are words or phrases summarizing an aspect of the dataset. There are two categories of keywords: controlled and uncontrolled. Controlled keywords are terms taken from an established authoritative list (thesaurus) of indexing terms. Uncontrolled keywords are terms applied as free text and are not derived from an established authoritative list. This metadata element contains the following sub-elements:

1.6.1 Theme

The subjects covered by the dataset. (See: CIESIN Indexing Vocabulary).

1.6.1.1 Theme Keyword Thesaurus

Definition: Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of theme keywords.

Format: None, free text.

Example:
Theme Keyword Thesaurus: CIESIN Indexing Vocabulary
Theme Keyword Thesaurus: Global Change Master Directory Science Keywords

1.6.1.2 Theme Keyword

Definition: Common-use word or phrase used to describe the subject of the dataset.

Format: Controlled text, free text (Uncontrolled).

Example:
Theme Keyword: CIESIN > Agriculture and Food Security > Agricultural Diseases > Animal Diseases
Theme Keyword
: EARTH SCIENCE > Agriculture > Agricultural Aquatic Sciences > Aquaculture
Theme Keyword
: Population Density
Theme Keyword
: GPW Version 2

1.6.2 Place

The geographic locations characterized by the dataset. (See: CIESIN Location Indexing Terms.)

1.6.2.1 Place Keyword Thesaurus

Definition: Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of place keywords.

Format: None, free text.

Example:
Place Keyword Thesaurus: CIESIN Indexing Vocabulary
Place Keyword Thesaurus: Global Change Master Directory Location Keywords

1.6.2.2 Place Keyword

Definition: The geographic name of a location covered by a dataset.

Format
: Controlled text, free text.

Example
:
Place Keyword
: Country/Island > United States
Place Keyword
: Continent/Region > North America
Place Keyword
: Water Body > Atlantic Ocean

1.6.3 Stratum

Layered, vertical locations characterized by the dataset.

1.6.3.1 Stratum Keyword Thesaurus

Definition: Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of stratum keywords.

Format: None, free text.

Example:
Stratum Keyword Thesaurus
: Global Change Master Directory Location Keywords

1.6.3.2 Stratum Keyword

Definition: The name of a vertical location used to describe the locations covered by a dataset.

Format
: Controlled text, free text.

Example
:
Stratum Keyword
: Troposphere
Stratum Keyword
: Mantle

1.6.4 Temporal

Time period(s) characterized by the dataset.

1.6.4.1 Temporal Keyword Thesaurus

Definition: Reference to a formally registered thesaurus or a similar authoritative source of temporal keywords.

Format: None, free text.

1.6.4.2 Temporal Keyword

Definition: The name of a time period covered by a dataset.

Format: Controlled text, free text.

Example:
Temporal Keyword
: Hourly
Temporal Keyword
: Daily
Temporal Keyword
: Jurassic


1.7 Access Constraints

Definition: Restrictions and legal prerequisites for accessing the dataset. These include any access constraints applied to assure the protection of privacy or intellectual property, and any special restrictions or limitations on obtaining the dataset.

Format: Free text.

Example:
Access Constraints: None
Access Constraints: CIESIN offers unrestricted access and use of data without charge, unless specified in the documentation for particular data. All other rights are reserved.


1.8 Use Constraints

Definition: Restrictions and legal prerequisites for using the dataset after access is granted. These include any use constraints applied to assure the protection of privacy or intellectual property, and any special restrictions or limitations on using the dataset.

Format: Free text.

Example:
Use Constraints
: None
Use Constraints
: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York hold the copyright of this dataset. Users are prohibited from any commercial, non-free resale, or redistribution without explicit written permission from WCS or CIESIN. Users should acknowledge WCS and CIESIN as the source used in the creation of any reports, publications, new datasets, derived products, or services resulting from the use of this dataset. WCS or CIESIN also request reprints of any publications and notification of any redistributing efforts.


1.9 Point of Contact

Definition: Contact information for an individual and/or organization that is knowledgeable about the dataset.

Guidelines and examples for applying the metadata sub-elements for Point of Contact are contained in Section 10 (Contact Information).


1.10 Browse Graphic

A graphic that provides an illustration of the dataset. The graphic should include a legend for interpreting the graphic. This metadata element contains the following sub-elements:

1.10.1 Browse Graphic File Name

Definition: The name of a related graphic file that provides an illustration or the dataset.

Format: Free text.

Example:
Browse Graphic File Name: africa_population_density

1.10.2 Browse Graphic File Description

Definition: A text description of the illustration.

Format: Free text.

Example:
Browse Graphic File Description: 1995 Africa Population Density (Lambert Azimuthal Projection).


1.10.3 Browse Graphic File Type

Definition: File type of a graphic file.

Format: Free text.

Example:
Browse Graphic File Type
: CGM (Computer Graphics Metafile)
Browse Graphic File Type
: EPS (Encapsulated Postscript format)
Browse Graphic File Type
: EMF (Enhanced Metafile)
Browse Graphic File Type
: GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
Browse Graphic File Type
: JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group format)
Browse Graphic File Type
: PBM (Portable Bit Map format)
Browse Graphic File Type
: PS (Postscript format)
Browse Graphic File Type
: TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)
Browse Graphic File Type
: WMF (Windows Metafile)
Browse Graphic File Type
: XWD (X-Windows Dump)


1.11 Data Set Credit

Definition: Recognition of those who contributed to the dataset.

Format: Free text.

Example:
Data Set Credit
: http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/gpw/credits.jsp


1.12 Security Information

Handling restrictions imposed on the dataset because of national security, privacy, or other concerns. This metadata element contains the following sub-elements:

1.12.1 Security Classification System

Definition: Name of the classifications system.

Format: Free text.

1.12.2 Security Classification

Definition: Name of the handling restrictions on the dataset.

Format: Free text.

Example:
Security Classification
: Top secret
Security Classification
: Secret
Security Classification
: Confidential
Security Classification
: Restricted
Security Classification
: Unclassified
Security Classification
: Sensitive

1.12.3 Security Handling Description

Definition: Additional information about the restrictions on handling the dataset.

Format: Free text.

Example:
Security Handling Description
: Data archivist must approve additional data processing.


1.13 Native Data Set Environment

Definition: A description of the dataset in the producer's processing environment, including items such as the name of the software (including version), the computer operating system, file name (including host-, path-, and filenames), and the dataset size.

Format: Free text.

Example:
Native Data Set Environment
: UNIX and windows


1.14 Cross Reference

Definition: Information about other, related data sets that are likely of interest.

Guidelines and examples for applying the metadata sub-elements for Cross Reference are contained in Section 8 (Citation Information).

CIESIN's Guide to FGDC Compliant Metadata

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