August 25, 2010 – Metadata is defined as data providing information about one or more other pieces of data. Metadata has been used in various forms as a means of cataloging archived information. A perfect example of metadata usage is the Dewey Decimal System, which has been employed by libraries for years for the indexing of books.
Metadata is typically structured according to a standardized concept using a well defined metadata scheme. Tools such as controlled vocabularies, taxonomies, thesauri, and data dictionaries can be used to apply further standardization to the metadata. It is relatively simple. However, it is articles like “Guide on How to Compare Metadata” that makes metadata seem more difficult than it need be.
If you choose an experienced company with quality control throughout the process of organizing and analyzing your metadata, human or machine assisted indexing will be much smoother.
Melody K. Smith
Sponsored by Access Innovations, the world leader in indexing and making content findable.
