Begleitdaten

Begleitdaten are data that accompany a data set or file to describe its context, provenance and quality. They provide the information needed to interpret, reproduce and reuse the primary data across different researchers and systems.

Typical Begleitdaten include metadata such as origin and collection method, instruments and settings, operator identifiers, timestamps, spatial coordinates, units and scales, data processing steps, file formats, file names, licensing and access restrictions, and provenance records. These elements help establish the data’s legitimacy, traceability and compatibility with other data.

Standards and formats are often used to structure Begleitdaten. Examples include ISO 19115 for geographic data, DataCite or Dublin Core for publication-related metadata, and domain-specific schemas. Begleitdaten can be stored in a separate metadata file (for example XML or JSON) or embedded within the data package, depending on practical and legal requirements.

The use of Begleitdaten is central in research data management and data sharing, supporting data discovery, citation and reproducibility. Well-documented accompanying data allow others to understand how data were collected and processed, assess quality, determine comparability, and reuse data in new analyses.

Challenges include incomplete or inconsistent metadata, heterogeneous formats, versioning issues, and privacy concerns when datasets contain sensitive information. Addressing these challenges requires clear governance, robust documentation practices, and adherence to established standards to ensure the long-term usefulness and accessibility of the data and its accompanying information.

See also: metadata, data provenance, open data, data management plan.