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Irish Public Service Metadata Element Set

The Irish Public Service Metadata Element Set (IPSMES), Version 1.0, is based on the Dublin Core metadata element set (DCMES), Version 1.1. 'IPSMES' is here used to identify the elements and their usage as laid out in the IPSMS.

Elements are categorised as being any one of three types - Mandatory, Conditional or Recommended.

Condition Definition
Mandatory Element must be present in order for a metadata record to be in compliance with the IPSMS.
Conditional Mandatory in certain circumstances.
Recommended Element should be included where its use enhances the discovery process or assists in a determination as to the suitability or accessibility of a resource.

 

Each metadata record is to include a number of mandatory elements, namely Title, Creator, Publisher, Subject, Date, Type and Identifier.

The Type element is mandatory where a resource matches one of a specified limited number of types taken from a controlled list of terms maintained and approved by the lead agency.

Recommended elements are used where they facilitate resource discovery, resource selection or indicate accessibility. An organisation may also identify recommended elements as necessary to facilitate its own particular requirements.

Elements used without qualifiers are known as 'simple' elements. Where qualifiers are used they are known as 'qualified' elements.

The Date element must be qualified.

For a record to be in compliance with the IPSMS the mandatory elements must be present.

 

Element

Element Use

Definition

Obligation

Title

DC.Title

Typically, a name given to a resource.

Mandatory

Creator

DC.Creator

An entity primarily responsible for the intellectual content of the resource.

Mandatory

Subject

DC.Subject

The topic(s) of the content of the resource.

Mandatory

Description

DC.Description

An account of the content of the resource.

Recommended

Publisher

DC.Publisher

An entity responsible for making the resource available.

Mandatory

Date

DC.Date.created

DC.Date.modified

A date associated with an event in the life cycle of the resource.

Mandatory.

 

Identifier

DC.Identifier

A unique identifier for the resource.

Mandatory

Contributor

DC.Contributor

An entity responsible for making a significant contribution to the content of the resource but whose contribution is secondary to the entity entered in the Creator element

Recommended

Type

DC.Type

The category of the resource. Typically, this might indicate whether a resource was a report, a legislative work, a press release or a circular. Selected from a controlled list.

Conditional

Format

DC.Format

The data format of the resource. Typically, Format may include the media-type or dimensions (e.g. size, duration) of the resource. Selected from a controlled list.

Recommended

Source

DC.Source

A reference to a resource from which the present resource is derived

Recommended

Language

DC.Language

The language(s) of the intellectual content of the resource

Recommended

Relation

DC.Relation

A reference to a related resource

Recommended

Coverage

DC.Coverage

The extent or scope of the content of the resource. Typically identifies the spatial or temporal characteristics of the resource, or jurisdiction.

Recommended

Rights

DC.Rights

Information about rights held in and over a resource. Typically, a copyright notice or terms of use statement.

Recommended


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