The Metadata Standards Directory (MASDIR) Working Group of the Research Data Alliance (RDA) is working on developing a collaborative and open directory of metadata standards that are used in scientific data contexts. The goal is to contribute to addressing infrastructure challenges.

MASDIR has now started its work by asking the community for contributions. The group is looking for information about metadata standards; the tools and use cases associated with them, and additional information that shows where and how scientists use them worldwide.

Contributions are submitted through a web form, available at Metadata Directory Information Collection.

Community participation

The following centers, agencies, and initiatives have already agreed to submit information on their metadata schemes to the RDA metadata directory:

• National Institute of Standards andTechnology (NIST)
• Data Document Initiative (DDI)
• Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI)
• Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP)
• euroCRIS
• European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
• INSPIRE
• United States Geographical Survey (USGS)

Short-term goals

During the first phase (12 to 18 months) MASDIR foresees to develop:

• A prototype wiki-based directory, with the emphasis on widely-used, interoperable and community endorsed standards and schemas.
• Use cases to analyze and document the functional uses of metadata.
• An operational plan for supporting the collective, sustainable growth and maintenace of the RDA directory.

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Post based on:

"Share your metadata Standards!", RDA

"Metadata Standards Working Group Case Statement (pdf)," RDA