Inhaltsbeschreibung

Inhaltsbeschreibung is a German term for a descriptive metadata field that characterizes the contents of a work. It provides a concise overview of topics, themes, scope, and structure, enabling readers and systems to understand what the work covers without reading it in full. The term is used in libraries, publishers, digital catalogs, and repository metadata to support discovery and evaluation.

Typical content of an Inhaltsbeschreibung includes the subject areas and main topics, key arguments or findings, the geographic and temporal scope when applicable, the methodological or approach, and the organization of the work (such as chapters or sections). It may also indicate the intended audience and any distinctive features or limitations. The length and level of detail vary by context; catalogs may use brief descriptions, while digital archives or publishers may provide more detailed descriptions to aid search and selection.

The Inhaltsbeschreibung is distinct from related concepts such as Inhaltsangabe, which is more aligned with a narrative or plot summary, and Inhaltsverzeichnis, which lists the divisions and headings within a work. In metadata practice, the Inhaltsbeschreibung acts as a descriptive element that complements bibliographic data, helping indexing, filtering, and retrieval. It supports users in assessing relevance, scope, and content coverage, and it can facilitate advanced search queries by topics, disciplines, or methodological approaches. Overall, it serves as a factual, neutral summary of what a work covers.