How to make the most out of your metadata
04/11/2016
If you need or want to share your research data, you are likely to deposit it on a system such as CORD; when you do so, you fill out a form with extra information about that dataset. This is what’s known as metadata – structured descriptive information about the dataset. Why is it important? Because it helps your dataset stand out, makes your data more discoverable and thus reusable (for better citations/usage stats), and of course supports your compliance with what funders require.
figshare (the company behind the CORD repository) have produced a handy pdf guide on how to make the most of your metadata. It’s well worth a quick read, as it covers tips such as:
- Using a descriptive but attention-grabbing title for best effectiveness;
- Using keywords to aid discoverability by getting a bit more detailed on the subject of the research;
- Adding links to external sources that will aid reuse of your dataset.
Check out other figshare guides to help you use CORD or, if you’re just getting started, contact our Research Data Manager, Georgina Parsons, for a quick demo and discussion of how CORD can help you.
Categories & Tags:
Leave a comment on this post:
You might also like…
Resource trial: Access government policy documents with Overton
Library Services has set up trial access to Overton until 16 April. Overton contains over 7 million policy documents and guidelines from over 31,000 organisations across 180+ countries. The database includes grey literature from leading ...
Life as a MSc Automotive Engineering Student at Cranfield University
I chose Cranfield University, because of its immense industrial connections and the depth of the modules. Before accepting the offer, I had a chat with a few alumni about their life here, both academically ...
My Experience as a C4D Scholar
How the C4D Scholarship made it possible for me to study MDes Design Thinking at one of the most prestigious universities in the world; Cranfield! I first found my interest in Design while in ...
Marketing sustainability claims: How to avoid greenwashing
As businesses strive to market themselves to best appeal to today’s sustainability-conscious consumers, it is perhaps inevitable that claims will be made that don’t necessarily give the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the ...
Representing Cranfield at the edie Sustainable Leaders Conference
I'm Caroline Harris, and I work for the Sustainable Business Group and the Bettany Centre of Entrepreneurship. As the Event Coordinator for both teams, I focus on creating and increasing engagement and outreach both internally ...
The importance of words in neurodiversity
The words we use in studying neurodiversity are important. It's easy to get caught up in the conversation about words. This is often generated by not wanting to cause offense or being in search of ...