Standards Framework Report #1

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Standards Framework Report #1

Section 4 - Mapping the initiatives

4.1 Introduction

Metadata frameworks provide a general architecture for metadata. The Metadata Framework of CEN/ISSS distinguishes 4 main applications of metadata. These are resource discovery, asset management, interoperability and manipulation. Besides this framework there are also other frameworks. However, we have mapped the current standardisation initiatives of the Standards Framework Report according to the Metadata Framework of CEN/ISSS.

Resource discovery

Resource discovery is a key aim of many metadata initiatives and can be further sub-divided into record formats, classification, resource location, languages, multimedia content and metadata registries.

Record formats

Record formats are based on an element set and are designed to be carriers for certain types of information. The most well known record format is the Dublin Core. The Dublin Core intends to be a cross-domain element set to describe electronic resources. Most of these elements have a commonly understood semantics and the element set is characterised by simplicity. Two specifications are maintained: the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set and a formally recommended list of Dublin Core Qualifiers.

The MARC21 Formats initiative comprises 11 standardisation activities that can be sub-divided into 5 record formats and 6 code lists. MARC21 has developed standard formats for bibliographic information, authoritative information, holdings information, classification numbers and non-bibliographic resources. Within the library world MARC record formats are very common. The MARC Code lists contain standardised codes for certain types of information in order to facilitate subject-oriented retrieval of information. MARC21 distinguishes codes lists for languages, geographic areas, countries, organisations, relators and sources. Codes lists are useful for information that is confined to a limited number of values.

The VRA Core Record is also a record format but is aimed at creating records specifically for describing works of visual culture as well as images that document them.

Another domain specific record format is CERIF. CERIF is developing a standard format for the Research sector within Europe. It contains a set of guidelines for developing record formats meant for everyone dealing with research information systems.

The IMS Metadata Specification is developing a standard record format specifically for describing learning resources. In the same domain, i.e. education and training, the Learning Object Metadata is being developed. LOM focuses on a set of elements to fully and adequately describe a learning object.

GELOS is an element set for environmental information resources.

The PDS initiative comprises two standardisation activities under consideration, which are (1) PDS Data element dictionary, and (2), PDS Metadata model. The objective of the dictionary is to define the domain of discourse for the Planetary Science Community by defining data elements to be used in labelling data products and describing enterprise entities. The objective of the Metadata Model is to define the objects that describe the Planetary Science Community’s enterprise elements including data objects and catalogue objects. Data objects are used to label data products such as images. Catalogue objects are used to describe entities in the community such as spacecraft, targets and instruments.

Another domain specific record format considered in this first Standards Framework Report is GILS, Government Information Locator Service.

This Standards Framework covers 3 metadata standards in the area of multimedia content, namely, MPEG 4, MPEG 7 and MPEG 21. MPEG 4 deals with coding audio-visual objects and is aimed at defining a standard for representing Multimedia objects and to interact with these objects. MPEG 7 develops a Multimedia Content Description Interface to define a standard for representing Multimedia Objects and interfacing with these objects. MPEG 21 develops a digital audio-visual framework with the aim to describe the infrastructure for the delivery and consumption of multimedia content.

ISO/IEC JTC1/SC32 is a platform concerned with metadata registries and is responsible for ISO 11179, a standard in 7 parts. Metadata registries are tools to publish the definition of metadata element sets and related information and aim at enabling interoperability. ISO 11179 aims at specifying, standardising and registering data elements to make data understandable and sharable. Two other specifications that are developed under ISO/IEC JTC1/SC32 are ISO/IEC TR15452:2000 and ANSI X3.285:1998.

ISO TC46 is called "Information and Documentation" and sub-committee 9 is standardising the presentation, identification and description of documents. In total, 30 standards have been or are being developed by this sub-committee.

Asset Management

Asset is a term that is frequently used in multimedia and refers to the ownership of images, video clips, audio clips, etc. The role of metadata herein is to facilitate the capturing, storing and management of assets. Asset management can be further sub-divided into rights management, preservation and auditing.

Currently there are no initiatives in the area of asset management part of the Standards Framework.

Interoperability

Metadata plays an important role in achieving a general level of information sharing between different communities with different types of information and technologies and to create new and more powerful types of information.

ISO TC 46/SC4 develops technical standards to be used to facilitate interoperability of information services such as libraries, information centres, indexing and abstracting services, archives and publishers. Sub-committee 4 is maintaining and developing a total of 26 standards.

Another initiative in the area of interoperability is NetCDF (Network Common Data Form). NetCDF is an interface for array-oriented data access and a library that provides an implementation of the interface. The NetCDF library also defines a machine-independent format for representing scientific data. Together, the interface, library, and format support the creation, access, and sharing of scientific data.

CEN TC251 has produced several standards which are currently transformed into a European Reference Information Model. Besides an Information Model CEN TC 251 also developed a Message development Framework to produce all kinds of messages. The aim is to safely transport medical information.

Manipulation

Metadata can be used to manipulate a set of related multimedia information resources. The function of manipulation encompasses delivery, access and protocols. Delivery can be further subdivided into rendering, client configuration, interchange and network Quality of Service. Interchange can be further specified by distinguishing streaming and formats. Access can be sub-divided into user identification, security and payment/clearance. Protocols can be sub-divided into directory and search & retrieve.

Streaming in this context refers to those initiatives that standardise the transmission of multimedia information in real time. The Society for Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), in collaboration with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), has set up a task force for harmonised standards for the exchange of programme materials as bit streams.

In the area of search and retrieval an important initiative is the Basic Semantic Registry (BSR). The goal of BSR is to act as a central reference to assist in the universal and multilingual understanding of data across commerce, industry and administration. The BSR contains data about electronic data interchange message standards.

Other Frameworks

Besides the MMI Framework of CEN/ISSS there are also other frameworks. The best known and promising is the Resource Description Framework (RDF) which is being developed by the W3 Consortium. RDF offers interoperability between applications that exchange machine-understandable information on the web by providing an infrastructure to support metadata activities.

The CEN/ISSS Workshop on Learning Technologies is also another framework. It has delivered a report that identifies the requirements for standards related activities in the area of learning technologies. The workshops are a concept initiated by CEN/ISSS and aim at offering a new mechanism and approach to standardisation, it is a place to bring together the clients’ ICT standards and specifications requirements are given the opportunity to find a solution in an environment "tailor-made" for their needs.

4.2 Conclusion

The current Standards Framework is biased towards record formats. The discovery of resources is a key application of metadata and this application has a need for domain-specific as well as multilingual metadata schemas. It is therefore not a surprise that many activities are taking place in this area.

Maintained by: UK Office for Library and Information Networking (UKOLN)
Last updated: 07 August 2001