Metadata is data about data—it provides descriptive information about a file, dataset, or resource, helping users understand, organize, and manage data effectively. Metadata includes details such as author, date created, format, location, keywords, and permissions.
Descriptive Metadata – Information that helps identify and locate a resource.
📌 Example: Title, author, keywords, description.
Structural Metadata – Defines how data is organized and related.
📌 Example: Chapters in a book, table of contents, or database schema.
Administrative Metadata – Manages data usage and rights.
📌 Example: File format, access restrictions, copyright information.
Geospatial Metadata – Describes geographic data and maps.
📌 Example: GPS coordinates, map projection, spatial resolution.
Technical Metadata – Provides technical details of a digital file.
📌 Example: File size, format (JPEG, PDF), resolution, compression method.
Preservation Metadata – Ensures long-term usability and integrity.
📌 Example: Data migration history, file backup details.
✅ Improves data organization & searchability (e.g., search engines use metadata to rank results).
✅ Enhances data management & security (e.g., file ownership, permissions).
✅ Supports data integration & interoperability (e.g., GIS datasets with standardized metadata).
✅ Facilitates digital preservation & accessibility (e.g., metadata in archives ensures long-term usability).
Metadata is essential in data management, making information more structured, searchable, and useful across different applications.
🔹 Photography: Camera model, exposure settings, GPS location.
🔹 Library Catalogs: Author, ISBN, publication date, subject.
🔹 Web Pages: Title, description, keywords (HTML meta tags).
🔹 Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Data source, coordinate system, accuracy level.
🔹 Music Files: Artist, album, genre, track length.
📍 Example: A librarian finds a book using metadata tags like author name and genre.