Metadata

ISO 19115 is an international standard for geospatial metadata, and it provides a comprehensive framework for describing geospatial datasets and related resources. Metadata based on ISO 19115 includes information about the dataset's content, quality, spatial and temporal characteristics, and more. To create metadata compliant with ISO 19115, a set of specific information must be provided. A high-level overview of the elements typically included in ISO 19115 metadata that may or may not be represented within the Topographic data are -

Identification Information:

Title: The title or name of the dataset.
Abstract: A summary of the dataset's content and purpose.
Date: The date the metadata was created or last updated.
Citation: The formal reference for the dataset.
Citation Contacts: Contact information for the person or organization responsible for the data.
Data Quality Information:
Lineage: Describes the dataset's history, including how it was created, processed, and updated.
Completeness: Information on the completeness of the dataset.
Positional Accuracy: Information about the accuracy of the geographic positioning of features.
Attribute Accuracy: Information about the accuracy of the data attributes.
Logical Consistency: Details on logical consistency checks applied to the data.

Spatial Representation Information:

Geometric Object Types: Describes the types of geographic features (e.g., point, line, polygon).
Spatial Reference System: Information about the coordinate reference system used in the dataset.
Topology Information: Information about topological relationships between features.
Spatial Data Organization: Information about the structure of the dataset, including data formats, scales, and any aggregation or distribution of data.

Reference System Information:

Information about the coordinate reference system, including the datum, projection, and units of measurement.
Metadata Reference Information: Metadata standard used: Specify that ISO 19115 is the standard.
Metadata Profile: Indicate if any specific profiles or extensions of ISO 19115 are used.
Distribution Information: How the dataset can be accessed and distributed, including online links, file formats, and access restrictions.

Metadata Constraints:

Any constraints or restrictions on the use of the metadata, such as copyright or licensing information.
Metadata Contact: Contact information for the person or organization responsible for the metadata.
Data Character Set: Specifies the character encoding used in the metadata.
Spatial Data Themes: Keywords and controlled vocabulary terms that describe the dataset's subject matter.
Temporal Extent: Information about the time period covered by the dataset.

Maintenance Information:

How often the dataset is updated and information about data maintenance.
Use Limitations: Any limitations or constraints on the use of the dataset.
Additional Information: Any other relevant information about the dataset.

Figure 1 – Extract of a Metadata Record.