Social and human sciences

Asset Description Metadata Schema (ADMS)

Used to describe semantic assets, defined as highly reusable metadata (for example: XML schemata, generic data models) and reference data (for example: code lists, taxonomies, dictionaries, vocabularies) that are used for eGovernment system development.

CESSDA CMM - Council of European Social Science Data Archives Metadata Model

The CESSDA Metadata Model contains metadata elements, their definitions and information on other requirements, such as repeatability. The Model is built from the viewpoint of quantitative (social science) data and is based on DDI Lifecycle 3.2 metadata standard.

CESSDA Data Catalogue DDI Profiles

The profiles specify the metadata requirements of the CESSDA Data Catalogue, based on the CESSDA Metadata Model and the DDI specifications.

DDI (Data Documentation Initiative)

A widely used, international standard for describing data from the social, behavioral, and economic sciences. Two versions of the standard are currently maintained in parallel:

  • DDI Codebook (or DDI version 2) is the simpler of the two, and intended for documenting simple survey data for exchange or archiving. Version 2.5 was released in January 2012.
  • DDI Lifecycle (or DDI version 3) is richer and may be used to document datasets at each stage of their lifecycle from conceptualization through to publication and reuse. It is modular and extensible. Version 3.2 was published in March 2014.

Both versions are XML-based and defined using XML Schemas. They were developed and are maintained by the DDI Alliance.

FGDC/CSDGM (Federal Geographic Data Committee Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata)

A widely-used, but no longer current standard defining the information content for a set of digital geospatial data required by the US Federal Government.

CSDGM was sponsored by the US Federal Geographic Data Committee.  However, in September 2010 the FGDC endorsed ISO 19115 and began encouraging federal agencies to transition to ISO metadata.

GESMES/TS (Generic Statistical Message for Time Series)

An extension of SDMX used to exchange statistical data and metadata.

ISO 19115-2 - Imagery and gridded data

An extension of ISO 19115 defining the schema required for describing imagery and gridded data.

SDMX (Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange)

A set of common technical and statistical standards and guidelines to be used for the efficient exchange and sharing of statistical data and metadata.

Sponsoring institutions include BIS, ECB, EUROSTAT, IMF, OECD, UN, and the World Bank. Technical Specification 2.1 was amended in May 2012.