Which of the following accurately describes metadata?

Which of the following accurately describes metadata?

A. Metadata are used to record information about data that has been collected.

B. Metadata should be standardized to ensure that data are interoperable with similar datasets.

C. Metadata include multiple elements describing the context of the dataset.

D. Metadata are critical to effective data sharing.

E. All of the above

Answer: E. All of the above

Metadata, often described as which is data about data, is inclusive of all the statements above. It acts more like an overview of a given data set, which may include important details about the nature of data, the kind of data as well as the format of the data. This information may include; When exactly the data was collected, who collected it, and methods that were employed. For instance, in the climate study, metadata can be the type of sensors that were used, the sensor’s calibration data as well as the geographical coordinates of measuring stations. It becomes necessary to standardize the metadata so that indexes created from different sources can be merged and cross-checked for efficient comparison. This is well illustrated in areas such as library science where formats like Dublin Core act as the framework upon which resources can be described. Metadata usually comprises of many components which altogether provide the whole image of the data set. These elements may include the title of the dataset, the name of its creator, the date when it was created, topics that the dataset deals with, the type of file, and relevant usage rights. For example, metadata that may be found in a digital image are Camera model and make, exposure settings, geographical location and copyright details. When it comes to sharing the data, metadata is important beyond measure. It allows finding other datasets, familiarising with their content, and defining whether they can be useful for some purposes. In scientific research, detailed metadata helps in enabling independence and enables another researcher to work on the foundation that someone has made giving it the characteristics of a collaboration.