Metadata is information (data) describing the features of a dataset (or also of individual data, such as a picture).
Metadata is crucial for finding datasets amongst many datasets, enhancing findability. Metadata also allows to understand the context of research data. For example, a table of numbers has no meaning without a descriptive set of information explaining what the numbers relate to and/or explain. Therefore, filling in metadata when you upload research data in a repository importantly allows other researchers to understand what your research data is about and possibly use it for their research. Similarly, other researchers’ metadata allows you as a researcher to better understand their research data.
The Dublin Core metadata Element set is an example of useful metadata fields for many disciplines.
Below, you can see how metadata is divided into three main types: administrative, structural and descriptive.
