Metadata Standards vs. Metadata Specifications

In the topic of metadataData about data. Metadata provides a context for research findings, ideally in a machine-readable format. It enables discovery of data via an electronic interface, and correct use and attribution of findings. Related Guide, there often appears to be confusion with the use of the words standardA set of documented rules which define the creation of metadata by providing a combination of terminology (vocabularies), syntactical rules, format rules, and other requirements. Metadata standards are approved, published and governed by a formal body or organization with broad community-based representation (international or national). Related Guide and specification. On the MMIMarine Metadata Interoperability site, we attempt to maintain the following distinction between these two terms. While the community may not consistently use the terms in this way, we believe they represent the clearest way to distinguish the two concepts.

A metadata standard is a set of rulesIn the context of crosswalking, rules are a process which define how to deal consistently with complex element mappings. Rules are created and applied during the mapping of elements from the source schema to the target schema, when one-to-one relationships between schema elements do not exist. Related Guide that define the creation of metadata. These rules are formally expressed, typically in a document that outlines acceptable usage of the elements described within the standard. Documentation of these elements typically includes things such as name, definition, and perhaps structure. These rules also have formal approval, publishing and governance procedures, as established by a formal body or organization with broad community-based representation (international or national).

A metadata specification is any description of how to store metadata. A specification can be developed and implemented by any level of an organization, department, or division within an organization. A specification does not need formal documentation nor does it need broad community-based approval. There may or may not be a formal governance procedure for a specification.

A specification is a much broader set of documents, as compared to a standard. (All standards are specifications, but not all specifications are standards.) As well, a standard is governed by a large community of stakeholders. A specification can have governance procedures, but is not required to have them, and the governance is often at a local or even individual level. A standard, since it is well documented, published and governed, provides greater value to the international community because it promotes interoperabilityThe ability of two or more information systems to exchange metadata with minimal loss of information. Related Guide between organizations using the standard.