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Source

Label

DC.Source

Definition

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

Purpose

This element can be used if the contained information would be useful for discovery of the current resource.

Obligation

Recommended

Qualifiers

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Encoding Scheme

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Examples

<meta name="DC.Source" content="Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs leaflet SW17">

<meta name="DC.Source content="http://www.dscfa.ie/dept/booklets/sw37.htm">

The Source element is not used to indicate from where the resource is available (Identifier), by whom the resource was created (Creator), or who makes the resource available (Publisher).

In indicating the origin of the intellectual content of a resource, this information may help verify and authenticate the content of the current resource.

Source vs. Relation

To indicate relationships between resources, it is generally recommended to use the Relation element. Source is used, however, where the content is derived from, but does not replace, the content of another document. The web page from which the content is derived should be shown as the "Source" of the present content. Whereas the present document references the source document, there is no requirement for a link from the source document to the present document.

The Relation element does not specifically allow for indicating that one resource has been derived from another. It is there to indicate that one resource

  1. is a version of another, or
  2. replaces another, or
  3. requires the availability of another resource, or
  4. references another resource, or
  5. is also available in another format.

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