Metadata is a type of data that provides information about another type of data. Metadata can be in a variety of formats and can be used to describe many types of information. These include structured, unstructured, semantic, and Linked data. Here are some examples. All data in the world contains some type of metadata.
Structured metadata
To manage structured metadata for your media files, navigate to the Media Library Preferences page and select Manage Structured Metadata. The page contains written and animated instructions. Click “Add new field” and enter a name for the field. You can also drag and drop fields to a new position. You can even add multiple conditions to make a field take on specific actions.
You can create, edit, and delete structured metadata fields programmatically. You can also set the default values of each field. Moreover, metadata fields can have different values for different types of content, categories, and asset usage rights. In large organizations, multiple metadata schemas may be used.
Unstructured metadata
Unstructured metadata can be useful in a wide range of applications. For example, metadata can make it easier for K-12 teachers to find information objects. This information helps instructors to develop lesson plans and scaffold learning. For these and other uses, specialized forms of metadata have been developed. These types of metadata can be enriched by the judicious use of folksonomies and controlled vocabularies.
One type of metadata is user-created metadata. This type of metadata is created by a single user or crowd-sourced. The content of an object is described in this type of metadata, and the metadata also documents its behavior, function, and use. It can also document the object’s relationship to other objects and its management.
Semantic metadata
Semantic metadata is a type of structured data that represents content at a higher level of abstraction. When applied to a website, semantic metadata enables a search to return auxiliary information that is relevant to the query. For example, if you type in “apple,” you can retrieve a list of related websites that sell apples.
In general, semantic metadata describes how an object is organized, as well as what it means to the user. It can be used to classify and access digital assets, and it can also be used to store other information about a particular resource. Metadata can be in a variety of forms, ranging from simple descriptive information to complex information that describes a particular asset.
Linked data
Linked data metadata is data about libraries and information resources. In the past few years, many metadata element sets have been published in Linked Data format, including the Library of Congress Subject Headings and the Dewey Decimal Classification. Other types of metadata have also been published as Linked Data, including reference frameworks and key element sets.
Linked data metadata is a powerful tool for exposing institutional resources to a wider audience and building institutional reputation. It helps patent researchers make better use of patent data, for example. Using Linked Data as the basis for patent research makes authority control much more transparent and immediate. It is also more accessible than conventional ways of controlling authority, which are largely decentralized and unreliable.