ISO/IEC JTC1 SC32Nnnnn
Date: 2012-03-30
ISO/IEC CD11179-1
ISO/IEC JTC1 SC32 WG2
Secretariat: ANSI
Information technology—Metadata registries (MDR) —Part1: Framework
Document type: International standard
Document subtype:
Document stage: (20) Draft
Document language: E
Technologies de l'information —Registre de métadonnées (RM) — Partie 1: Cadre de reference
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ISO/IEC CD11179-1
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ContentsPage
Foreword
1Scope
2Normative references
3Terms and definitions
3.1Objects and concepts
3.2Concept systems, relations, and relationships
3.3Signifiers and designations
3.4Data, metadata, information, and interoperability
3.5Registration
4What is Metadata?
4.1Introduction
4.2Metadata is Data
4.3What is Data?
4.4What is Data Interoperability?
4.5Metadata Re-use
4.6Metadata Modeled As Attributes
4.7Relationship between Metadata and Data
4.8Metadata Computational Models
4.9Variety Control and Metadata Registries
4.10Metadata Governance
5The Lifecycle of Metadata
5.1Overview
5.2Creation
5.3Observation
5.4Organization
5.5Cataloging
5.6Storage
5.7Retrieval
5.8Processing
5.9Standardization
5.10Governance
5.11Retirement
6Metadata in ISO/IEC 11179
6.1Fundamental model of data elements
6.2Data elements in data management and interchange
6.3Fundamental model of value domains
6.4Fundamentals of classification schemes
7Metadata registries
7.1Introduction
7.2Overview model for an ISO/IEC 11179 MDR
7.3Fundamentals of registration
8Overview of ISO/IEC 11179, Parts 1 6
8.1Introduction of Parts
8.1.1Part 1
8.1.2Part 2
8.1.3Part 3
8.1.4Part 4
8.1.5Part 5
8.1.6Part 6
8.2Basic Principles for Applying ISO/IEC 11179, Parts 16
Annex A — Terminological Principles for Data
A.1Principle: The General Nature of Objects (Things)
A.2Principle: Concept and Extension
A.3Principle: Intension, Characteristics, and Properties
A.4Principle: Concept Systems, Relationships, and Relations
A.4.1Types of hierarchical relations
A.4.2Generic relations
A.4.3Partitive relations
A.4.4Associative relations
A.4.5Concept systems
A.4.6Developing concept systems
A.5Principle: Writing Good Definitions
A.5.1Delimiting characteristics
A.5.2Types of definitions
A.5.3Definition writing
A.5.4Deficient definitions
A.6Principle: Signifiers, Designations, Terms, Appellations
A.6.1Designations
A.6.2Terms
A.7Principle: Value and the Terminological Nature of Data
A.8Principle: Terminological Aspects of Data Interoperability
A.9Principle: Good Data Definitions
Bibliography
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IECDirectives, Part2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75% of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO/IEC111791 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC1, Information Technology, Subcommittee SC32, Data Management and Interchange.
ISO/IEC11179 consists of the following parts, under the general title Information technology— Metadata registries (MDR):
Part001: Framework
Part002: Classification
Part003: Registry metamodel and basic attributes
Part004: Formulation of data definitions
Part005: Naming and identificationprinciples
Part006: Registration
0.Introduction
0.1Background Information
Metadata is a kind of data that describes one or more objects. Objects can be of any type, such as books (e.g., resource metadata), databases and data itself (e.g., data semantics metadata), documents (e.g., records management metadata), equipment (e.g., device metadata), and data governance itself (e.g., registration metadata). Good metadata practices (consistent observation, consistent meaning, and useful cataloging taxonomies) can provide valuable benefits to the enterprise, such as:
—Better search and discovery of desired objects (e.g., documents, data, services, etc.) and their related objects (e.g., administrative services).
—Automated and semi-automated processing of on-demand data assets, e.g., using data assets in meaningful ways without prior knowledge.
—Better re-use of one's objects (e.g., data assets) via proper cataloging (applying and tagging metadata) and discovery by other users.
0.2General Description of ISO/IEC 11179
The International Standard ISO/IEC 11179 - Metadata registries (MDR), addresses the semantics of data (both terminological and computational), the representation of data, and the registration of the descriptions of that data. It is through these descriptions that an accurate understanding of the semantics and a useful depiction of the data are found.
The purposes of the standard are to promote the following:
Standard description of data
Common understanding of data across organizational elements and between organizations
Re-use and standardization of data over time, space, and applications
Harmonization and standardization of data within an organization and across organizations
Management of the components of data
Re-use of the components of data
ISO/IEC 11179 is six part standard. Each part is devoted to addressing a different aspect of the needs listed above. The parts and a short description follow:
Part 1 – Framework – Contains an overview of the standard and describes the basic concepts
Part 2 – Classification – Describes how to manage a classification scheme in a metadata registry
Part 3 – Registry metamodel and basic attributes – Provides the basic conceptual model, including the basic attributes and relationships, for a metadata registry
Part 4 – Formulation of data definitions– Rules and guidelines for forming quality definitions for data elements and their components
Part 5 – Naming and identification principles– Describes how to form conventions for naming data elements and their components
Part 6 – Registration– Specifies the roles and requirements for the registration process in an ISO/IEC 11179 metadata registry
0.3What is new in ISO/IEC 11179-1 (edition 3)
This third edition of ISO/IEC 11179-1 contains significantly expanded text on metadata. Previous editions focused on a more narrow description; however the broader view is relevant to any application, system, or project concerning metadata. This way, this Part of this international standard now has wide applicability for the understanding, applicability, and use of metadata.
Previously, the term metadata was defined as “data about data”, but metadata are used to describe many kinds of objects, not just data. It is possible to define metadata from this wider view (“descriptive data about an object”) and, as defined, still observe its relevance for describing data. In addition, the new approach provides a means to make the idea of metadata more precise, and this in turn enables the developers of information systems to use metadata more accurately, making the new approach justified.
Metadata exist in some context – the one necessary to describe an object. This means metadata are firstly data; there is no distinction between data and metadata except by the existence of a descriptive relationship to some object. Therefore, a definition of data is given as well. This definition is new and differs from the one in ISO/IEC 2382-1:1993, sub-clause 01.01.02.
The semantics of data, the subject of ISO/IEC 11179, contains both terminological and computational components. Since a description of a datum has to have these components, then a definition of a datum must reflect these facts. So the new definition of a datum is presented in terms of terminology and computation.
The text in the 2nd edition concerned the description of the other five parts is included. An annex contains terminological principles for data.
© ISO2012– All rights reserved / 1ISO/IEC CD11179-1
Information technology— Metadata registries (MDR) —Part1: Framework
1Scope
ISO/IEC 11179-1 – Metadata registries – Part 1: Framework specifies a general description of metadata. It is designed to work in conjunction with any of the other parts of ISO/IEC 11179, it can be used by itself, or it can be used with specifications other than ISO/IEC 11179. It contains a description of each of other the parts of ISO/IEC 11179.
Metadata is defined precisely as "descriptive data about an object". Thus, metadata is a kind of data. Data becomes metadata when the descriptive relationship is revealed between the data (now metadata) and the target object(s). Metadata that is the same for more than one object is metadata for a class of objects, e.g., this metadata would apply to an object-oriented class, a datatype, XML schema, etc., is of particular interest because the class of objects might have shared commonalities in computational models and/or semantics.
Metadata itself is modeled as attributes, which are comprised of:
—characteristics
—property values (with respect to the characteristics)
—identifiers (that name the characteristics)
—datatypes (computational description of characteristics-properties)
—codings (symbols used to represent the property values).
Common attributes, e.g., standardized metadata[1], affords common understanding of computational models (query, discovery, relationships, etc.) for data across application areas. At a higher level of description, metadata is organized into realms, such as descriptive data about data semantics (one realm), descriptive data about documents and resources (another realm), and descriptive data about ownership, lineage, and custody chain (yet another realm). Typically, each metadata realm has its own standardization and governance structure.[2]
2Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC Guide 2, Standardization and related activities — General vocabulary
ISO 704:1999, Terminology work – Principles and methods
ISO 1087-1:2000, Terminology work – Vocabulary – Part 1: Theory and application
ISO/IEC 11179-2 – Metadata registries, Part 2: Classification
ISO/IEC 11179-3 – Metadata registries, Part 3: Registry metamodel and basic attributes
ISO/IEC 11179-4 – Metadata registries, Part 4:Formulation of data definitions
ISO/IEC 11179-5 – Metadata registries, Part 5:Naming and identification principles
ISO/IEC 11179-6 – Metadata registries, Part 6:Registration
ISO/IEC 11404: 2007, Information technology – General purpose datatypes
ISO/IEC 19773: 2011, Information technology – Metadata modules
ISO/IEC 20944-1, Information technology — Metadata registries interoperability and bindings (MDR-IB) —
Part1: Framework, common vocabulary, and common provisions for conformance
3Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms, abbreviations, and definitions apply. This Clause is organized thematically into four areas:
—objects and concepts
—concept systems, relations, and relationships
—signifiers and designations
—data, metadata, information, and interoperability
3.1Objects and concepts
3.1.1
characteristic
concept that plays the role of a determinable in a determining relation [adapted from ISO 704]
NOTE The Oxford English Dictionary definition of "determinable (noun)" is: "That which is capable of being given a more determinate form or of being more precisely specified; spec. (in W. E. Johnson's use) a general term or concept (e.g. color) under which several specific terms or concepts fall (e.g. red, yellow, green)."
3.1.2
comprehensive concept
concept in a partitive relation viewed as the whole[ISO 1087-1]
3.1.3
coordinate concept
subordinate concept having the same nearest superordinate concept and same criterion of subdivision as some other concept in a given concept system[ISO 1087-1]
3.1.4
concept
unit of thought differentiated by characteristics [adapted from ISO 704]
3.1.5
definition
representation of a concept by a descriptive statement which serves to differentiate it from related concepts[ISO 1087-1]
3.1.6
extension
totality of objects to which a concept corresponds [adapted from ISO 704]
EXAMPLEThe concept of "planet" has more than one object in its extension (a general concept) whereas the concept of "Saturn" has exactly one object in its extension (an individual concept).
3.1.7
extensional definition
description of a concept by enumerating all of its subordinate concepts under one criterion of subdivision[ISO 1087-1]
EXAMPLE 1The following is an example of an extensional definition for the concept ‘noble gas':
Noblegas
helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon or radon.
3.1.8
general concept
concept whose extension is intended not to have exactly one element [adapted from ISO 704]
3.1.9
generic concept
concept in a generic relation having the narrower intension[ISO 1087-1]
3.1.10
individual concept
concept whose extension is intended to have exactly one element [adapted from ISO 704]
3.1.11
intension
set of characteristics which makes up theconcept in some context [adapted from ISO 704]
3.1.12
intensional definition
definition which describes the intension of a concept by stating the superordinate concept and the delimiting characteristics[ISO 1087-1]
EXAMPLE 2The following is an example of an intensional definition for the concept 'incandescent lamp':
incandescent lamp
electric lamp in which a filament is heated by an electric current in such a way that it emits light
3.1.13
object
anything perceivable or conceivable[ISO 704]
NOTEObjects may be material (e.g. an engine, a sheet of paper, a diamond), immaterial (e.g. conversion ratio, a project plan) or imagined (e.g. a unicorn, a dragon).
3.1.14
partitive concept
concept in a partitive relation viewed as one of the parts making up the whole[ISO 1087-1]
3.1.15
property
concept that plays the role of a determinant in a determining relation[adapted from ISO 704]
EXAMPLE 3The characteristic "[has] mass" is a feature of humans, yet one human has the property "[mass is] 80 Kg" and another human has the property "[mass is] 110 Kg". In this example, the determinable "mass" has a quantifiable determinant (mass measured in Kg). The same determinable could have a different range of determinants, such as a qualitative determinant (thin, fit, obese) or a Boolean determinant (true-false, which would be "true" for all humans).
3.1.16
subordinate concept
narrower concept
concept which is either a specific concept or a partitive concept[ISO 1087-1]
3.1.17
superordinate concept
broader concept
concept which is either a generic concept or a comprehensive concept[ISO 1087-1]
3.1.18
specific concept
concept in a generic relation having the broader intension[ISO 1087-1]
3.2Concept systems, relations, and relationships
3.2.1
associative relation
pragmatic relation
relation between two concepts having a nonhierarchical thematic connection by virtue of experience[ISO 1087-1]
NOTEAn associative relation exists between the concepts 'education' and 'teaching', 'baking' and 'oven'.
3.2.2
causal relation
associative relation involving cause and its effect[ISO 1087-1]
NOTEA causal relation exists between the concepts 'action' and 'reaction', 'nuclear explosion' and 'fall-out'.
3.2.3
concept system
set of concepts and the relationships among the concepts [adapted from ISO 704]
3.2.4
hierarchical relation
relation between two concepts which may be either a generic relation or a partitive relation[ISO 1087-1]
3.2.5
generic relation
genus-species relation
relation between two concepts where the intension of one of the concepts includes that of the other concept and at least one additional delimiting characteristic[ISO 1087-1]
NOTEA generic relation exists between the concepts 'word' and 'pronoun', 'vehicle' and 'car', 'person' and 'child'.
3.2.6
partitive relation
part-whole relation
relation between two concepts where one of the concepts constitutes the whole and the other concepta part of that whole[ISO 1087-1]
NOTEA partitive relation exists between the concepts 'week' and 'day', 'molecule' and 'atom'.
3.2.7
relationship system
set of objects and the relationships among them [ISO/IEC 20944-1]
EXAMPLE 4A concept system is a kind of relationship system (the concepts themselves are treated as objects, which are organized by the relationships) and a database record is a kind of relationship system (in a database record its individual components are treated as objects, which are structured by the relationships among the components of the record).
3.2.8
sequential relation
associative relation based on spatial or temporal proximity[ISO 1087-1]
NOTEA sequential relation exists between the concepts 'production' and 'consumption', etc..
3.2.9
temporal relation
sequential relation involving events in time[ISO 1087-1]
NOTEA temporal relation exists between the concepts 'spring' and 'summer', 'autumn' and 'winter'.
3.3Signifiers and designations
3.3.1
designation
associationof a concept with a signifier that designates it [adapted from ISO 704]
3.3.2
designation formation
process of creating a signifier and associating it with its concept(s) [adapted from ISO 704]
3.3.3
identifier
label that is intended to be dereferenced [ISO/IEC 20944-1]
NOTE 1An identifier is also a reference.
NOTE 2This definition is consistent with IETF RFC 3986 which describes the Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) syntax and semantics.
3.3.4
to dereference
to access the referenced object (the referent)[ISO/IEC 20944-1]
3.3.5
label
reference to an object by a signifier[ISO/IEC 20944-1]
3.3.6
locator
identifier that includes an access method[ISO/IEC 20944-1]
NOTEThis definition is consistent with IETF RFC 2396 which describes the Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) syntax and semantics.
3.3.7
referent
reference, noun
object that is referenced [ISO/IEC 20944-1]
NOTE: In one context, a reference is the opposite of a literal: the literal gives the data at hand, while the reference points to the data, which must be subsequently accessed, retrieved, or written.
EXAMPLE 5An association created by proximity; a computer memory pointer; a database foreign key.
3.3.8
signifier
sign, noun
general concept, whose extension is perceivable objects that are associated with objects [ISO/IEC 20944-1]
NOTEA signifier associated via a designating relationship to an object of the variety "concept" is known as a signifier designating a concept, i.e., a designation.