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Label |
DC.Type |
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Definition |
The category of the resource. [DC Definition:The nature or genre of the content of the resource.] |
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Purpose |
Allows the information seeker to locate different categories of resource, such as document types. It allows a search to be restricted to resources of a certain kind or different categories of documents/resources. For example, 'Find all press releases...' |
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Obligation |
Conditional |
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Qualifiers |
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Encoding Scheme |
IPSDT (Irish Public Service Document Type) |
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Examples |
<meta name="DC.Type" scheme="IPSDT" content="press release"> <meta name="DC.Type" content="memorandum"> |
The DC.Type element must be used where documents match any of the six document types mandated for use.
The DC.Type element can be repeated.
The IPSDT list currently approves the following document type indicators:
legislation
policy
report
form
press release
speech
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Note: In order to comply with the IPSMS, Version 1.0, documents matching any one of the six document types listed on the IPSDT list must so indicate the document type in the metadata DC.Type element. |
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Recommendation: It is recommended that where terms are taken from a controlled list (i.e. the IPSDT list), the controlled vocabulary should be indicated using the ‘scheme’ indicator. For example: <meta name="DC.Type" scheme="IPSDT" content="press release"> |
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Note: Indication of these document types where appropriate serves to enable the Publications list accessible from the Irish Government home page. |
The government search engine will scan sites for these document types and list them on the Government website Publications page. This will allow information seekers to follow recent developments across all government departments at a single location or to be alerted of recently published material such as legislative acts or policy proposals.
Absence from the IPSDT list does not preclude the use of document types not so included on the list.
A document may qualify as matching more than one document type. An example might be where a green paper constitutes both a policy proposal and reports on the findings of a research study. The method of indicating more than one document type is by repeat use of the metadata ‘type’ element, e.g.
<meta name="DC.Type" scheme="IPSDT" content="policy">
<meta name="DC.Type" scheme="IPSDT" content="report">
Legislation – specifically Acts, Bills, Statutory Instruments. Not documents about same. An exception is where a document can be described as a ‘covering’ document (see What is a ‘cover’ HTML page? in the FAQs section).
Policy – specifically white papers, green papers, or those documents which are specifically described as policy documents. Not statements of policy – such may constitute press releases or the transcripts of speeches, for example, and be best described as a 'Press Release' or a 'Speech'. An exception might be where a statement of policy is the only record of an official policy proposal or position. Not documents referring to, or discussing, a white paper, green paper, or documents referring to that which is specifically described as a policy document. An exception is where a document can be described as a ‘covering’ document (see What is a 'cover' HTML page? in the FAQs section).
Report – specifically that which formally represents the findings of
an investigation. Not a document referring to, or discussing, a formal report.
An exception is where a document can be described as a 'covering' document (see
What is a 'cover' HTML page? in the FAQs section).
Includes annual reports.
Form – a document requiring data entry. Includes forms made available online for downloading or printing out. These forms are usually available as MS Word documents or PDF files. Also includes HTML forms that request information from a user, information that can then be processed on the client or sent back to a server. Excludes forms used to send feedback to a webmaster. 'Covering' documents are included (see What is a 'cover' HTML page? in the FAQs section).
Press Release – specifically an official statement released to the press.
The subject of a press release does not influence the determination of document type, i.e. a press release announcing the publishing of an annual report does not mean that 'Report' is to be entered as a document type along with 'Press Release'. An exception is where a document can be described as a ‘covering’ document (see What is a 'cover' HTML page? in the FAQs section).
Speech – specifically the transcript or audio recording of an actual speech.
Does not include documents containing extracts from speeches or documents summarising or including comments on speeches. An exception is where a document can be described as a 'covering' document (see What is a 'cover' HTML page? in the FAQs section).