metadataStandardVersion

Metadata standard version refers to the edition identifier assigned to a metadata standard, used to describe data resources. It indicates which standard and which edition was employed to structure the metadata, providing a basis for interpretation and processing.

The version is important for interoperability, validation, and data governance. Software and human users can rely on the specific rules, properties, and semantics defined in a given edition. When datasets from different sources are combined, knowing the metadata standard version helps determine how elements map to one another and whether transformations are needed to preserve meaning.

In metadata records, the version is typically captured alongside the standard name. Common practice uses fields such as metadataStandardName and metadataStandardVersion (or their equivalents in a given schema). Values may reference well-known standards, for example ISO or Dublin Core, sometimes with an edition or release identifier such as a year or revision number. Versions may be numeric, alphanumeric, or follow a minor/major scheme depending on the encoding schema (XML, JSON, RDF, etc.).

Governance and lifecycle are key considerations. Organizations manage version provenance, update cycles, and deprecation notices, and they maintain mappings (crosswalks) between versions to support data integration over time. Challenges include version drift, legacy records, and the need to migrate metadata when standards evolve. Clear versioning supports reproducibility, quality control, and sustained data interoperability across systems.