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Disclaimer: This FAIR Metroline Step focuses solely on the registration of metadata. It does not cover the technical details of metadata schemas or FAIR Data Point, both of which will be detailed in subsequent FAIR Metroline Steps.
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‘Perfectly good data resources may go unused simply because no one knows they exist. There are many ways in which digital resources can be made discoverable, including indexing.’ (GO FAIR) To make your resource (e.g. data), available for reuse, its metadata can be published in a catalogue. This step helps you find a catalogue where you can register these resource metadata and explains why adding your resource to such a catalogue is important. |
Short description
Metadata is essential for describing information about your resource, whether it is a dataset, article, software, report or other project outputs. In this chapter, we explain how to make metadata about your resources available online so others can find it. As explained in A Generic Workflow for the Data FAIRification Process, this This step will help you make your data resources more Findable by registering them in a searchable repository, such as a metadata catalogue.
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Unlike data repositories like Zenodo or DANS data stations, metadata catalogues do not store the actual resource, but just information about it. Metadata catalogues can link directly to the resource’s location, for example by linking your metadata catalogue entry to your DANS entry through its URL, or let others request access via a contact point or data access forms. Many data repositories also act as metadata catalogues, blending the functions of both. For example, when you publish data in DANS, you provide metadata (Title, Description, Keywords) that helps catalog catalogue and find entries within the DANS portal. This blurs the line between metadata catalogues and data repositories (see figure below). Both concepts can also be illustrated by platforms like Google Scholar, which works as a metadata catalogue by indexing information about publications that, then, links each entry to external repositories like Elsevier or PLOS where the actual publications can be accessed.
For more information about Data Repositories, see Archiving data | Health-RI and Open Science | ERC (europa.eu).
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Why is this step important
The key advantage of using metadata catalogues is that you don’t need to publish your resource, such as data, beforehand. This can be very useful if your project has just started data collection or if you have very restrictive data access conditions, but do wish for others to be able to find you. For example, registries keeping data about Rare Disease patients may want to be contacted for the purposes of diagnostic and therapy discovery, without making their actual data available in a repository. If you later decide to publish your resource in a (data) repository for long-term preservation and archiving, you can update the metadata catalogue entry with this new information.
There are other advantages to using metadata catalogues, which we’ll explore in the next section. We’ll also explain why this step is important and how to choose the right metadata catalogue for your resources.
Why is this step important
Metadata Furthermore, metadata catalogues are critical for making research resources, such as data, more visible and accessible. They
Metadata catalogues offer a range of benefits to data holders, users and the broader scientific community.
Benefits for data holders.
Increases discoverability. If you register metadata in catalogues, your data becomes more easily discoverable by others online.
Facilitates collaboration. Making your metadata available increases the likelihood of collaboration with other researchers who find your work through the catalogue.
Control over data use. Metadata catalogues allow you to specify how your data can be accessed and reused, ensuring that you retain control over its distribution.
Efficient compliance. Publishing metadata in catalogues is a low-effort, high-impact step that covers Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability aspects for your data, which are now essential for meeting the requirements of numerous grants and institutions.
Benefits for data users.
Efficient data search. Instead of searching across various platforms, metadata catalogues provide a centralised, searchable repository for relevant data.
Time-saving. Reusing already available data saves significant time that would otherwise be spent on new data collection planning and approval.
Simplified access requirements. Clear access protocols provided through metadata reduce the complexity and time involved in requesting data.
Benefits for the scientific community.
Prevention of redundancy. Metadata catalogues reduce duplication of research efforts by making existing data more visible and accessible.
Community building. Catalogues promote the adoption of shared data standards, fostering collaboration and coherence within research communities.
Improved transparency. Clear documentation of data in metadata catalogues ensures research integrity and openness, which promotes trust in scientific findings.
Monitoring research impact. Cataloguing metadata allows for easier tracking of how data is used, cited, and repurposed, providing insights into the broader impact of research efforts.
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Resource type | Resource subtype | Metadata element | Description |
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Dataset | Lab data | Collection methods | Description of the method or instruments used to collect the data. |
Date Data sources | Information about where or from whom the data was collected. | ||
Python code | Contributors | Names or IDs of other individuals who contributed to the code. |
Questions to consider:
what What metadata can be utilised to make resources more Findable?
what What metadata are already in use by others in the same field and can be reused?
For guidance on this process, read Metroline Step: Assess availability of your metadata.
Outcome: a list of metadata elements tailored for each resource type.
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Cross-discipline metadata catalogues (allow broad resource types):
Health-RI data catalogue (https://healthdata.nl/);
DANS (Data Stations - DANS (knaw.nl)).
Domain specific metadata catalogues (for specific types of resources):
Biosamples: . BBMRI-ERIC data catalogue (https://directory.bbmri-eric.eu/ERIC/directory/#/catalogue);
Questionnaire: the . The Qualitative Data Repository (https://qdr.syr.edu/).
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Practical examples from the community
The Netherlands ME/CFS Cohort and Biobank Consortium
The Netherlands ME/CFS Cohort and Biobank (NMCB) consortium, in partnership with patient organizationsorganisations, is leading the way for the development of a national research infrastructure for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
The current choices of metadata catalogues for NMCB are as follows.
Amsterdam Cohort Hub Data Catalogue (under development) for metadata of the NMCB consortium.
DataverseNL for metadata of NMCB resources. It is a national data repository service tailored for researchers in the Netherlands.
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Relevant training will be added in the future if availablesoon.
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