innebærerMetadata

InnebærerMetadata denotes the information that describes a data resource, providing contextual details about its content, origin, structure, and access. It is metadata about data, not the data itself, and its primary purpose is to facilitate search, interpretation, reuse, and preservation. Metadata can be created automatically by systems or supplied by humans, and it often evolves over the data's life cycle.

Metadata categories commonly include descriptive metadata (titles, authors, abstracts, keywords), structural metadata (how elements are organized, formats, relationships), and administrative or preservation metadata (rights, provenance, archival actions, technical requirements). Some contexts also distinguish technical metadata (file size, creation date, software used) and provenance metadata (history of edits and versions).

Several metadata standards and schemas are used to ensure interoperability. Examples include Dublin Core for general resource description, PREMIS for preservation metadata, METS for packaging digital objects, EXIF and IPTC for images, and ISO 19115 for geospatial data. Schema.org markup is used for web content. Adopting standards helps data become searchable and reusable across systems.

Metadata improves resource discovery, organization, and quality control. It supports data governance, provenance tracking, access management, and long-term preservation. Well-maintained metadata enables automated indexing, citation, and reuse in research, libraries, archives, and data repositories.

Metadata creation and maintenance require planning, resources, and governance. Incomplete or inaccurate metadata reduces usability and can hamper discovery. Privacy, security, and copyright considerations may constrain what metadata can be recorded, and metadata may drift if not updated.

Metadata management is part of a data governance strategy. It involves capture, validation, updating, versioning, and auditing. Repositories and catalogs often provide metadata schemas, validators, and quality metrics to support consistent practices.

Typical domains include digital libraries, research data repositories, media archives, geographic information systems, and cultural heritage collections.