What is the metadata compatibility badge?#

The metadata compatibility badge is a quantitative measure that represents how well a repository aligns with the metadata standards of the NIAID Data Ecosystem. When contributors upload data or tools to a source repository, their completion of metadata fields may vary. The metadata compatibility score evaluates whether all relevant and necessary metadata elements have been provided for a given resource. When filling out metadata fields, however, data contributors may be limited by the repository. For example, the “health condition” field may be missing for a dataset either because the data contributor did not provide it or because the repository does not support that metadata field.

The metadata compatibility badge visualizes how compatible repositories are with the metadata ingested by the NIAID Data Ecosystem. These badges can be found on the Sources page.

How do I read the badge?#

Users can hover over the boxes that represent each field to see the field name and the metadata coverage provided for that field. Solid boxes indicate metadata is provided for that field and diagonal-lined boxes indicate that metadata is not available for that field. The 'up arrow' icon indicates that metadata is augmented by the Discovery Portal for that field. The overall length of bars indicates the number of Fundamental and Recommended fields.

A high percentage within the metadata compatibility badge indicates that the repository is well-aligned with the metadata standards set by the NIAID Data Ecosystem. This alignment is crucial for ensuring that resources are described comprehensively, making it easier for users to discover, understand, and effectively utilize the resource available within the Discovery Portal. It is important to note that a low percentage within the metadata compatibility badge does not reflect the quality or quantity of metadata collected by the repository. A repository could collect a lot of aligned metadata but not expose it; or a repository can collect a lot of high quality, but incompatible metadata resulting in a lower percentage.

Metadata fields for different types of resources vary. More information about Fundamental and Recommended fields for datasets, computational tools, and other resources can be found here.

How can the badge help me as a data contributor?#

The metadata compatibility badge serves as a valuable tool for data contributors in selecting the appropriate repository for their data. By providing insight into metadata supported by different repositories, the badge enables data providers to identify which repositories offer robust metadata capabilities that align with their requirements. This ensures that their datasets are accompanied by detailed and comprehensive metadata, enhancing discoverability and usability. Consequently, data contributors can make informed decisions about where to store their data, ensuring it is housed in a repository that supports thorough metadata documentation and maximizes the dataset’s value to the research community.

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