City Research Online

Abstract

Metadata registries are systems that store authoritative information about the exact meaning and use of metadata elements and metadata terms. They also record the semantic relationships between the different elements and terms. They are a vital part in the process of data standardisation and metadata management and consequently in the organisation of digital information. This study investigates the use and functionality of two active metadata registry systems, as current users of those systems perceive them. A combination of methods such as questionnaire surveys, web log transactions analysis and email interviews was employed to assess them. Users of two metadata registry systems, the MetaForm registry and the Environmental Data Registry (EDR) - currently known as System of Registries (SoR) were surveyed about their satisfaction towards services and products that the registries provided, the efficiency of the support services within the metadata registries and they also recorded feedback about their future expectations of such systems. Results indicated that metadata registry systems are important components in the process of data standardisation and data management. The development of software to support mappings between the elements of different metadata element sets is expected to trigger future research in the evaluation of metadata registry systems. User needs assessment at the initial stages of the set up of metadata registry systems helps to build systems closer to the user needs. Understanding about the context of use of the retrieved information helps to improve the provision of metadata registry system services.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
Departments:	School of Science & Technology > Computer Science School of Science & Technology > School of Science & Technology Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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