How does the data set describe geographic features?

If this type of feature or table isn't defined in some authoritative publication like FIPS 173, and you don't know what to put in Entity_Type_Definition_Source, leave that element out. It is mandatory, but meaningless information is worse than no information.

Attributes

For each attribute, you should know the attribute's name in the data set, a definition of the attribute, and what values the attribute holds.

    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: Name of the item or attribute
      Attribute_Definition: What information does it provide?
      Attribute_Definition_Source: Document, if any, that defines this attribute.

If this attribute isn't defined in some authoritative publication like FIPS 173, and you don't know what to put in Attribute_Definition_Source, leave that element out.

What sort of values does the attribute hold?

In general, attributes either measure, categorize, or characterize the features or entities they describe.

Labels or names that characterize the features

  Enumerated_Domain:
    Enumerated_Domain_Value: One possible value
    Enumerated_Domain_Value: Another possible value
    Enumerated_Domain_Value: Still another possible value
    . . .
    Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Published reference for the names, if there is one.

Text codes or integer numbers that categorize the features

  Enumerated_Domain:
    Enumerated_Domain_Value: One of the possible values
    Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: What it means
    Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Document, if any, that defines the value.
  Enumerated_Domain:
    Enumerated_Domain_Value: Another possible value
    Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: What it means
    Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Document, if different, that defines the value.
  . . .

If you have a simple table of values and definitions, you can use the Enumerated_Domain Helper to code the metadata.

NOTE: An Enumerated_Domain does not have to contain only numbers! Here the word enumerated means the values are specified one by one in a list.

Integers or decimal (floating- or fixed-point) values showing some measure of the features

  Range_Domain:
    Range_Domain_Minimum: Lowest possible value
    Range_Domain_Maximum: Highest possible value

What are the units?

Attribute_Units_of_Measure: units

Optional information about attribute values:

What is the resolution of the measurements?

Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: smallest meaningful difference

Were measurements made at regular time intervals?

When did you start making measurements?

Beginning_Date_of_Attribute_Values: start date

When did you stop making measurements?

Ending_Date_of_Attribute_Values: stop date

How often did you make measurements?

Attribute_Measurement_Frequency: time interval

What about the accuracy of the values?

Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Information:
  Attribute_Value_Accuracy: Quantitative estimate
  Attribute_Value_Accuracy_Explanation: How did you estimate it?

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What does the data set describe?