Authority File (Flat Vocabulary)
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Flat Vocabularies
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Multi-Level Vocabularies
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Relational Vocabularies
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Authority File
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Definition of Authority File
A type of flat controlled vocabulary that consists of a list of labels and values that establishes the acceptable values that can be inserted into a particular parameter.
Discussion
An authority file establishes the acceptable values that can be inserted into a particular parameter. No explanation or augmenting information is given. To implement an authority file, project managers must have a clear understanding of both the metadata parameter and the domain in which the authority file is applicable.
Example - Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI)
| <xs:simpleType name="DCMIType"> | ||||
| <xs:union> | ||||
| <xs:simpleType> | ||||
| <xs:restriction base="xs:Name"> | ||||
| <xs:enumeration value="Collection"/> <xs:enumeration value="Dataset"/> <xs:enumeration value="Event"/> <xs:enumeration value="Image"/> <xs:enumeration value="InteractiveResource"/> <xs:enumeration value="Service"/> <xs:enumeration value="Software"/> <xs:enumeration value="Sound"/> <xs:enumeration value="Text"/> <xs:enumeration value="PhysicalObject"/> |
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| </xs:restriction> | ||||
| </xs:simpleType> | ||||
| </xs:union> | ||||
| </xs:simpleType> | ||||
Notice, to implement this appropriately, you would need to know that DCMI stands for Dublin Core Metadata Initiative, and Type is one of the 15 required metadata parameters. Dublin Core can be widely implemented, as it contains very broad parameters and values. This particular Authority File is presented in XML format. It was distributed in this format via the web by the managing body.