Metadataunits

Metadataunits is a term used to describe discrete blocks of metadata that describe digital resources. Each metadataunit is an atomic description about a resource component or the resource as a whole, intended to be stored and processed independently from other units. The concept supports modular metadata architectures where metadata can be added, updated, or exchanged without rewriting an entire record.

Key characteristics include modularity, machine readability, and provenance awareness. Units typically include an element or field name, one or more values, and optional attributes such as language, scheme, confidence, and date of creation. They can be serialized in common formats such as XML, JSON, or RDF and may be grouped into larger metadata records or containers.

Common types of metadataunits reflect standard metadata domains, such as descriptive metadata (title, author, subject), technical metadata (format, file size, checksum), rights metadata (license, access restrictions), and preservation metadata (fixity, agent events). In practice, a resource may be described by multiple units corresponding to different schemes, with cross-references to ensure coherence.

Applications include digital repositories, libraries, and data archives where modular metadata improves indexing, version control, and preservation actions. Interoperability is often achieved by mapping or crosswalking units to established schemas such as Dublin Core, PREMIS, METS, or schema.org, allowing exchange across systems.