Meta Data (Data about Data)

Most sets of information do not share a common mechanism for finding and using the resource. A meta-data specification makes the process of finding the resource more efficient by providing a structure of defined elements that describe or catalogue the resource and provides details as to how these elements are used or represented. It should also answer questions such as when was the data collected and who authorised it as being accurate? When is the next update available? What was the source of the data? etc.

Descriptive labels can be used to index learning resources to make them easier to find and use. Such labels are "data about data" and are referred to as "meta-data." They exist in much the same way as a reference card in a library's card index, which describes the book, its author, subject, location in the library, ISBN number, date of publication and so on.

A meta-data specification makes the process of finding and using a resource more efficient by providing a structure of defined elements. These describe or catalogue the resource and fulfil set requirements about how the elements are to be used and represented.

Although the concept sounds complicated the reality is a little easier to understand. As part of ongoing work on the National Geographical Data Framework (NGDF), anumber of meta data sets have been established.

The Cabinet Office (www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/) are helping to develop a framework for meta data in government as part of the government’s strategy for information age Government.

The e-government Interoperability framework outlined in the UK Gov Talk web-site supports the development of a companion work programme to produce standard meta data to describe documents published through government web sites.

Information will normally fall into 5 broad categories

• Manual Data (Paper Files)
• Electronic Information
• Data sets
• Statistical Data
• CCTV Data

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