Making metadata usable in a multi-national research setting

Appl Ergon. 2013 Nov;44(6):909-18. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2012.10.014. Epub 2013 Feb 8.

Abstract

SECOA (Solutions for Environmental Contrasts in Coastal Areas) is a multi-national research project examining the effects of human mobility on urban settlements in fragile coastal environments. This paper describes the setting up of a SECOA metadata repository for non-specialist researchers such as environmental scientists and tourism experts. Conflicting usability requirements of two groups - metadata creators and metadata users - are identified along with associated limitations of current metadata standards. A description is given of a configurable metadata system designed to grow as the project evolves. This work is of relevance for similar projects such as INSPIRE.

Keywords: Metadata complexity; Metadata usability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cities
  • Databases, Factual*
  • Electronic Data Processing*
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Geographic Mapping*
  • Humans
  • India
  • Jupiter
  • Oceans and Seas
  • Urbanization*
  • Vietnam