Semantic Metadata Repository

From Saltlux

1. Semantic Metadata Repository
As a data describing the attributes of information sources metadata may generally be defined as data about data. The purposes of the metadata use are: 1) description of the data themselves, and 2) search of data. And metadata may possibly manage the metadata themselves systemically and efficiently.
Metadata may be used in various formats with different defines and functions in accordance with the domain of use. For example, in the field of archives management field metadata id defined as “the data that describes holistic archives procedures of the interconnection, context, structure, management” (ISO 15489). And the archive management metadata has functions of production, management, and maintenance, use process systems, policy confirmation, certification of originality and the understanding of the context (ISO 23081). MARC, DC, MODS, and ONIX are some of the typical metadata. Because of the diversity of the metadata some problems may be caused such as disagreement of data factors and expression due to the use of different type of metadata and accordingly the meta data expressed in other type of expression could not be accessed. This is one of the biggest issues of securing the mutual application ability of the metadata.
For the application of the metadata there are various methods such as an attempt to integrated express of resources to one standardized metadata using DC and MARC, mutual mapping method of metadata standards maintaining style and technical structure of metadata, and metadata registry using method.


2. Metadata Registry
MDR enables integration of semantically homogeneous factors through identification of structural and literal differences and duplication of same information. MDR ease the automation of intelligent software through data operation by making data enquiry and registration useful, promoting data accessibility and usability. MDR also enables development of data express meta-module for case rule and repository and exchange of electronic data sharing the data. MDR consists of the following 6 parts:

- Part 1 Framework: Explains organic relationships of 6 standards of ISO/IEC 11179, data element which is the most important conceptual model element of MDR, and the relationship between data element, value territory conceptual territory.
- Part 2 Classification: Classifies intra-MDR management issues, describes the procedures and registration of classification scheme. And individual classes, attributes, expression value, value territory, data element concept, data elements may be classified.
- Part 3 Metamodel and Basic Attributes: Deals with structure of MDR, basic attributes of metadata items, and categories of 11179 standards as core parts.
- Part 4 Formulation of data definitions: Describes essential conditions and recommended conditions needed to define data and metadata. 
- Part 5 Naming and identification principles: Provides naming and identification principles to management items such as data element concept, concept category, data element, and value category. Each management item receives only identifier given by the registration authority. Identifier uses registration authority identifier, data identifier, and version identifier which are the structural elements for the International Registration Data Identifier.
- Part 6 Registration: Standardizes metadata registration of management items concerning to target information types of MDR registration, necessary conditions and procedure, and responsibilities with concerned parties.



[Figure 1 ISO/IEC 11179 MDR Model concept]

XMDR stands for extended MDR proposed by Edition 3 of ISO 11179. XMDR is a type of extension using semantic management capability such as terminology, ontology, and concept system. Through this extension it is possible to register the complicated metadata that is not by existing MDR. While the management of administered item and the registration of Metamodel are core parts of the existing MDR, knowledge management and extension for mutual application are core parts of this XMDR as mentioned above.