Metadata design and Creation A What is

Metadata design and Creation • A) What is the current status with metadata documentation in Belize. • The metadata concept needed to be introduced to the working group with some examples • Initially institutions such as Coastal Zone, Belize Audubon made an effort to create metadata, but these were created with separate software and the resulting metadata were not stored with the actual files. • BERDS published only datasets with full metadata • No information of LIC • Overall status “shaky”

Metadata design and Creation b) Where should we be with respect to metadata documentation in Belize? • Have metadata with every dataset, no datasets floating around without metadata.

Metadata design and Creation c) What do we need to do to get where we need to be with respect to metadata documentation in Belize? • Create/accept standards. Some (especially home grown) standards may be incompatible with others and compatibility is important for potential regional inter-changeability. The ISO standard appears to be more flexible for fitting specific “country needs”. • (related: create nomenclature standardization) • Create incentives such as payment through outside funding • Make metadata mandatory. No data can be included into the system (SDI, clearing house or similar) until full metadata are attached. Technology is available to create a non-compliance barrier. • Create metadata from the start of any data project. This makes it easier to document steps and prevents having to remember methodology followed at the end of the project.

Metadata design and Creation d) How do we get it done? • Select standards • Make an inventory of all datasets • Each department/institution/data provider will be responsible to prepare metadata for their own datasets (originally generated or modified) only • Just get it done!

Metadata design and Creation e) What is the implementation timeline? • Depends largely on the inventory of datasets. • Some institutions may have more than we think, others may have less than they think • If the originating technicians are still available, the generation of metadata for a particular dataset can be a matter of a few hours, with older “where the 他媽的did this come from” data, it may take much longer. • We should set a deadline. Once BNSDI is implemented, the metadata should be ready, not after. • Just get it done ASAP!

Metadata design and Creation f) What are the cost implications? • Depends largely on the inventory of datasets. • Each department/institution/data provider will be responsible to prepare metadata for their own datasets (originally generated or modified) only and many may have less “own” sets than we think. • May be very reasonable if we spread it out over the various responsible institutions. • Only large providers (LIC? ) may need financial assistance

Metadata design and Creation g) Who will bear the related costs? • Principally the data provider/creator. • Only large providers (LIC? ) may need financial assistance which may be obtained through outside funding.