A readers' guide to NERDm metadata properties, named types, and JSON structure.
Groups
3
Types
29
Properties
276
Model
0.1
Guide
Introduction
The NERDm schema is used to encode metadata describing various kinds
of resources--datasets, data collections, web portals,
software, and tools--that are offered by NIST through its
data science portal. Resources
are the main kind of "thing" that NERDm metadata is used to describe,
and there are different resource types. NERDm metadata is encoded in
JSON format (specifically, JSON-LD),
but this guide attempts to describe the metadata without relying on
much knowledge of that format. The purpose of this document is to
guide readers that wish to inspect NERDm JSON records and understand
what the metadata means.
(Software developers that wish to read and process NERDm records may
also find this document useful for browsing metadata definitions.
However, they can also consult the
JSON Schema definition
documents. The NERDm schema has two parts: a
core schema,
and an
extension schema for describing data publications.)
What a NERDm record looks like
A NERDm record looks like JSON, because it is JSON(!).
Below is an annotated example of NERDm metadata describing a hypothetical data
resource. The metadata is in the form of a set of properties. A
property is a
piece of metadata that has a name and a value. The
value can
be a single value (e.g. text, a number, true/false), a list of values,
or a complex value made up of sub-properties.
JSON syntax example
{
"@id": "ark:/88434/pdr01893t",
"@type": [ "nrdp:DataPublication", "nrdp:PublicDataResource" ],
"title" 1: "Moby Dick: an analysis" 2,
"description": [ 3
"Moby-Dick is about a man and a whale",
"It does not end well."
],
"contactPoint": { 4
"hasEmail": "mailto:[email protected]",
"fn": "Herman Melville",
"address": [
"Arrowhead",
"Pittsfield, Mass."
]
}
}
1Property names appear before a colon. In this guide, linked names point to their reference definitions below.
2Simple values can be text, numbers, true, false, or null. Text values are surrounded by quotes.
3List values are surrounded by square brackets and can hold multiple values.
4Structured values group sub-properties inside curly brackets.
What kinds of information are in a NERDm record
A NERDm record describes, in general, a data resource--that
is, a source of data that can be used in research. There are
different kinds of resources, such as data files, databases, software,
and even data web portals that include on-line tools. All data
resources are described with a common set of
metadata properties; these properties are defined as part of the
generic
Resource type.
Some types of resources can have additional, specialized metadata.
For example, the
DataPublication
Resource type defines the
authors
property that lists the authors presenting the data.
A data resource is often made up of one or more data files that can be
downloaded. If the resource is a database, it may instead provide a
search page available through a web browser or an API to access the
data through a program. These various ways to access the data are
represented as resource components. As with the
Resource type, there is a
common set of metadata for describing components;
these are captured as part of the generic
Component type. The most
common type of component is the
DataFile
type, representing a downloadable data file; one of its special
properties is the downloadURL, indicating
the URL to use to download the file.
NERDm resource example
{
"@id": "ark:/88434/pdr01893t" 1,
"@type": [ "nrdp:DataPublication", "nrdp:PublicDataResource" ] 2,
"title": "Moby Dick: an analysis",
"doi": "doi:10.18434/T488S8" 3,
"description": [ 4
"Moby-Dick is about a man and a whale",
"It does not end well.",
"We analyze the text for its suitability as a source for automated text analysis."
],
"contactPoint": { ... },
"components": [ 5
{
"@id": "cmps/aggregates/wordfreq.csv",
"@type": [ "nrdp:DataFile", "dcat:Distribution" ],
"filepath": "cmps/aggregates/wordfreq.csv",
"downloadURL": "https://data.nist.gov/od/id/pdr01893t/aggregates/wordfreq.csv",
"title": "Word Frequency Data",
"size": "209531"
},
{
"@id": "cmps/aggregates",
"@type": [ "nrdp:Subcollection" ],
"filepath": "cmps/aggregates",
"title": "Aggregate data",
"description": "This collection contains the computed aggregate data."
}
]
}
1NIST-internal persistent identifier starts with ark:/88434/ for resources available through the NIST Science Data Portal.
2Resource types identify what kind of resource this is. This example is both a PublicDataResource and a DataPublication.
3Externally citable identifier can be assigned as a DOI when the resource should be cited from other publications.
4Resource-level metadata describes the resource as a whole, including title, description, contact, access level, and similar fields.
5Component metadata describes files, subcollections, tools, pages, APIs, and other ways to interact with the resource.
a resource (e.g. data collection, service, website or tool) that can participate in a data-driven application.
There are different types of Resources; this Named Type represents a generic resource. The other Resource types described later in this section add additional metadata to the base set shown here to describe more specific kinds of resources (like data publications, APIs, etc.)
Where it is used
as the basis for extension type, PublicDataResource
Direct properties
Defined directly on this named type.
27
titleHuman-readable, descriptive name of the resourcetext
What it represents
Human-readable, descriptive name of the resource
Value type
text
Anchor
Resource.title
Schema notes
Acronyms should be avoided
Examples
"The NIST High Temperature Superconducting Materials Database""Organic Contaminants in Non-Fortified Human Milk"
versiona string indicating the version of the release of this resourcetext
What it represents
a string indicating the version of the release of this resource
Value type
text
Anchor
Resource.version
Examples
"1.0.5""11"
versionHistorya list describing the release of different versions of this resourcelist of VersionRelease objects
What it represents
a list describing the release of different versions of this resource
Value type
list of VersionRelease objects
Anchor
Resource.versionHistory
replacesa listing of other existing resources that are deprecated by this resourcelist of references to other resources
What it represents
a listing of other existing resources that are deprecated by this resource
Value type
list of references to other resources
Anchor
Resource.replaces
isReplacedByanother existing resource that should be considered a replacement for this resourcea reference to another resource
What it represents
another existing resource that should be considered a replacement for this resource
Value type
a reference to another resource
Anchor
Resource.isReplacedBy
Schema notes
This typically refers to a newer version of this resource
In the PDR system, this value is automatically generated given the overall state of the PDR's catalog
descriptionHuman-readable description (e.g., an abstract) of the resourcelist of text values
What it represents
Human-readable description (e.g., an abstract) of the resource
Value type
list of text values
Anchor
Resource.description
Reader notes
Each list element should be considered as a separate paragraph.
Schema notes
Each element in the array should be considered a separate paragraph
keywordTags (or keywords) help users discover your dataset; please include terms that would be used by technical and non-technical users.list of text values
What it represents
Tags (or keywords) help users discover your dataset; please include terms that would be used by technical and non-technical users.
Value type
list of text values
Anchor
Resource.keyword
Reader notes
Each value in the list represents a different keyword. Keywords can be made up of multiple words
Schema notes
Surround each keyword with quotes. Separate keywords with commas. Avoid duplicate keywords in the same record.
Examples
metalsquantum mechanics
topicA tag or label taken from a pre-defined vocabulary for a thing or concept that this resource addresses or speaks tolist of Topic objects
What it represents
A tag or label taken from a pre-defined vocabulary for a thing or concept that this resource addresses or speaks to
Value type
list of Topic objects
Anchor
Resource.topic
modifiedMost recent date on which the dataset was changed, updated or modified.ISO8601DateRange object
What it represents
Most recent date on which the dataset was changed, updated or modified.
Value type
ISO8601DateRange object
Anchor
Resource.modified
Reader notes
The value is usually a single formated date, like 2017-04-21, or a data and time, like 2019-02-23T14:31:10.3
A special format is used to indicate the resource is regularly update; e.g., R/P1W (for once a week); see ISO8601DateRange for details.
Schema notes
Dates should be ISO 8601 of highest resolution. In other words, as much of YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss.sTZD as is relevant to this dataset. If there is a need to reflect that the dataset is continually updated, ISO 8601 formatting can account for this with repeating intervals. For instance, R/P1D for daily, R/P2W for every two weeks, and R/PT5M for every five minutes.
issuedDate of formal issuance of the resourceFlexibleDate object
What it represents
Date of formal issuance of the resource
Value type
FlexibleDate object
Anchor
Resource.issued
Reader notes
The value is usually a single formated date, like 2017-04-21
publisherThe publishing entity and optionally their parent organization(s).Organization object
What it represents
The publishing entity and optionally their parent organization(s).
Value type
Organization object
Anchor
Resource.publisher
Schema notes
This is a container for a publisher object which groups together the fields: name and subOrganization. The subOrganization field can also contain a publisher object which allows one to describe an organization's hierarchy. Where greater specificity is desired, include as many levels of publisher as is useful, in ascending order, using the below format.
contactPointContact information for getting more information about this resourceContactInfo object
What it represents
Contact information for getting more information about this resource
Value type
ContactInfo object
Anchor
Resource.contactPoint
Schema notes
This should include at least a name and an email address
The information can reflect either a person or a group (such as a help desk)
accessLevelThe degree to which this dataset is publicly-available (or is restricted in some way)text
What it represents
The degree to which this dataset is publicly-available (or is restricted in some way)
Value type
text
Anchor
Resource.accessLevel
Allowed values
public
Data asset is or could be made publicly available to all without restrictions
restricted public
Data asset is available under certain use restrictions
non-public
Data asset is not available to members of the public
licenseA pointer to the primary license or non-license (i.e. Public Domain) statement with which the dataset or API has been publishedtext (URL)
What it represents
A pointer to the primary license or non-license (i.e. Public Domain) statement with which the dataset or API has been published
Value type
text (URL)
Anchor
Resource.license
Schema notes
Software and data developed primarily by federal employees must be considered in the public domain; software primarily developed by contract can be assigned a license, including an open source license.
By default, NIST-produced data and software should point to http://www.nist.gov/data/license.cfm
See Open Licenses (https://project-open-data.cio.gov/open-licenses/) for more information.
rightsinformation regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policiestext
What it represents
information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies
Value type
text
Anchor
Resource.rights
Schema notes
This should also provide an explanation for the selected "accessLevel" including instructions for how to access a restricted file, if applicable, or explanation for why a "non-public" or "restricted public" data assetis not "public," if applicable.
Text must be 255 or fewer characters.
componentsa listing of the various component resources, tools, and distributions of this resourcelist of Component objects
What it represents
a listing of the various component resources, tools, and distributions of this resource
Value type
list of Component objects
Anchor
Resource.components
Reader notes
This list often includes the list of data files (represented as DataFile components) that are available to download.
Data files can be organized into a hierarchy of subcollections (like file folders). When this is the case, this list will also include Subcollection components. Both DataFile and Subcollection components included a filepath that indicates where it is located in the hierarchy.
Schema notes
Records for the resources referenced in this list should specify this resource in its isPartOf field.
The @type property will indicate which type of component it is. The first value in the @type list should be considered the primary or most important classification.
If an item's @type includes dcat:Distribution, the item should be convertable to a distribution in the POD schema.
The order should be considered meaningful (at least for components of the same type). The meaning or intention behind the order can depend on the type; however, generally, display of the components of a common type should preserve the order. For clarity then, it is recommended that items of the same primary type should be grouped together in the list.
conformsToURI used to identify a standardized specification the resource conforms totext (URL)
What it represents
URI used to identify a standardized specification the resource conforms to
Value type
text (URL)
Anchor
Resource.conformsTo
Reader notes
This identifier might refer to a file or dataset format, to database schema, or to a web API.
isPartOfThe collection of which the dataset is a subsetResourceReference object
What it represents
The collection of which the dataset is a subset
Value type
ResourceReference object
Anchor
Resource.isPartOf
Reader notes
The resource being referenced normally is one that is also described by a NERDm record which is accessible via its identifier (given in the proxyFor property).
languageThe primary language used in the datasetlist of text values
What it represents
The primary language used in the dataset
Value type
list of text values
Anchor
Resource.language
landingPagea URL to a human-friendly web page for accessing the resource.text (URL)
What it represents
a URL to a human-friendly web page for accessing the resource.
Value type
text (URL)
Anchor
Resource.landingPage
referencesOther documents describing or relating to this resourcelist of BibliographicReference objects
What it represents
Other documents describing or relating to this resource
Value type
list of BibliographicReference objects
Anchor
Resource.references
themeMain thematic category of the dataset.list of text values
What it represents
Main thematic category of the dataset.
Value type
list of text values
Anchor
Resource.theme
Reader notes
Values are taken from the Taxonomy of NIST Research Areas.
Schema notes
Could include ISO Topic Categories (http://www.isotopicmaps.org/)
@idThe NIST-assigned identifier for the resourcetext
What it represents
The NIST-assigned identifier for the resource
Value type
text
Anchor
Resource.@id
Reader notes
This identifier takes a the form of a NIST-issued ARK identifier (and thus starts with ark:/88434/)
If the resource has been assigned a DOI, it will appear in the doi
Schema notes
It is expected that this field will contain a type of identifier that is of a uniform type across all resource descriptions in the system
This identifier should, by default, resolve to the metadata record (or some rendering of it) rather than to the resource itself (e.g. via its landing page).
doiThe Digital Object Identifier (DOI)text
What it represents
The Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Value type
text
Anchor
Resource.doi
Schema notes
The DOI value should not have the resolver URI base, but should have the form 'doi:NNNNN/XXXXXX'
It is expected that this will primarily be Datacite DOIs
Examples
"doi:10.18434/T42S31"
ediidthe NIST EDI identifier assigned to the resourcetext
What it represents
the NIST EDI identifier assigned to the resource
Value type
text
Anchor
Resource.ediid
abbrevan abbreviated form of the resource's titlelist of text values
What it represents
an abbreviated form of the resource's title
Value type
list of text values
Anchor
Resource.abbrev
Schema notes
this can be used as a label for a compact display or text for a link to this resource
Examples
"SRD 13""JRes-NIST"
@typethe linked-data class types for this resourcelist of text values
What it represents
the linked-data class types for this resource
Value type
list of text values
Anchor
Resource.@type
Reader notes
This property is a list because it is possible for a resource to be catorgorized as multiple types simultaneously
The first value in the list will be the most specific resource type that applies to the resource and should be considered, therefore, its primary type.
Often, the values refer to Named Types defined explicitly in the NERDm schema (e.g. DataPublication); in this case, the resource metadata can include the extended metadata properties for that type.
Some values are just semantic labels that do not imply the existance of additional extended metadata.
These values are intended to be compliant with use of @type property in the JSON-LD format.
Schema notes
The value must always be given as an array, even when only one type is provided.
Multiple values indicate that the Resource can be considered of multiple types
If this resource is not to be considered a subtype of the nrd:Resource, its value should be 'nrd:Resource'.
Examples
"nrdp:DataPublication""nrdp:SRD""dcat:Dataset"
Named TypePublicDataResource33 properties (27 inherited)
JSON type
object
What it represents
a resource that can/should have a record in NIST's public data listing (PDL)
accrualPeriodicityFrequency with which dataset is published.fixed value: "irregular" or text
What it represents
Frequency with which dataset is published.
Value type
fixed value: "irregular" or text
Anchor
PublicDataResource.accrualPeriodicity
bureauCodean identifier provided by the OMB Circular A-11, Appendix C that identifies the originating federal agencylist of text values
What it represents
an identifier provided by the OMB Circular A-11, Appendix C that identifies the originating federal agency
Value type
list of text values
Anchor
PublicDataResource.bureauCode
Schema notes
OMB Circular A-11, Appendix C is available via http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/a11_current_year/app_c.pdf
A machine-readable listing of the defined codes is available via https://project-open-data.cio.gov/data/omb_bureau_codes.csv
Codes have the format of 015:01
programCodean identifier provided by the Federal Program Inventory that identifies the primary program related to this data assetlist of text values
What it represents
an identifier provided by the Federal Program Inventory that identifies the primary program related to this data asset
Value type
list of text values
Anchor
PublicDataResource.programCode
Schema notes
A machine-readable listing of the defined codes is available via https://www.performance.gov/sites/default/files/files/FederalProgramInventory_FY13_MachineReadable_091613.xls
Codes have the format of 015:001
dataQualityWhether the dataset meets the agency's Information Quality Guidelinesboolean
What it represents
Whether the dataset meets the agency's Information Quality Guidelines
Value type
boolean
Anchor
PublicDataResource.dataQuality
primaryITInvestmentUIIThe IT Unique Investment Identifier (UII) that is associated with this datasettext
What it represents
The IT Unique Investment Identifier (UII) that is associated with this dataset
Value type
text
Anchor
PublicDataResource.primaryITInvestmentUII
systemOfRecordsThe URL to the System of Records Notice related to this dataset if is so designated under the Privacy Act of 1974text
What it represents
The URL to the System of Records Notice related to this dataset if is so designated under the Privacy Act of 1974
subtitlea secondary or sub-title for the resourcelist of text values
What it represents
a secondary or sub-title for the resource
Value type
list of text values
Anchor
DataPublication.subtitle
akaother (unofficial) titles that this resource is sometimes known aslist of text values
What it represents
other (unofficial) titles that this resource is sometimes known as
Value type
list of text values
Anchor
DataPublication.aka
authorsthe ordered list of authors of this data publicationlist of Person objects
What it represents
the ordered list of authors of this data publication
Value type
list of Person objects
Anchor
DataPublication.authors
Schema notes
Authors should generally be assumed to be considered creators of the data; where this is is not true or insufficient, the contributors property can be used ot add or clarify who contributed to data creation.
recommendedCitationa recommended formatting of a citation to this data publicationtext
What it represents
a recommended formatting of a citation to this data publication
A description of one component of a resource. A component can be a downloadable file, a subcollection of files, an API, or search page.
This Named Type represents a generic component; other Component types described later in this section represent specific kinds of components.
Where it is used
as a value type for the components list property of the Resource type
as the basis for extension type, IncludedResource
as the basis for extension type, DownloadableFile
as the basis for extension type, Subcollection
as the basis for extension type, AccessPage
as the basis for extension type, API
Direct properties
Defined directly on this named type.
6
@ida relative identifier for the component.text
What it represents
a relative identifier for the component.
Value type
text
Anchor
Component.@id
Schema notes
Though not required by this schema, providing an identifier for a component is critical for merging information from different sources.
A relative identifier requires that @base be set to the Resource identifier in the @context.
@typethe types of components that this component can be classified aslist of text values
What it represents
the types of components that this component can be classified as
Value type
list of text values
Anchor
Component.@type
Reader notes
This property is a list because it is possible for a component to be catorgorized as multiple types simultaneously
An included value of nrd:Hidden indicates that the component is part of the NIST-internal management of the resource and is not expected to be useful to external users
These values are intended to be compliant with use of @type property in the JSON-LD format.
Schema notes
the first value should be considered its primary type. This is usually a subtype of Component.
@ida relative identifier for this component(see JSON schema)
What it represents
a relative identifier for this component
Value type
(see JSON schema)
Anchor
IncludedResource.@id
Schema notes
@id should be the ID for the included resource as a component of this resource; use the required proxyFor property to give the native ID of the included resource.
resourceTypethe linked-data class types for the included resourcelist of text values
What it represents
the linked-data class types for the included resource
Value type
list of text values
Anchor
IncludedResource.resourceType
Schema notes
The @type should contain values that are subclasses of Component; resourceType is provided to list the Resource types for the included resource.
Just like a Resource:@type, the value must always be given as an array, even when only one type is provided.
Multiple values indicate that the Resource can be considered of multiple types
If this resource is not to be considered a subtype of the nrd:Resource, its value should be 'nrd:Resource'.
accessURLthe base URL for accessing the APItext (URL)
What it represents
the base URL for accessing the API
Value type
text (URL)
Anchor
API.accessURL
describedByURL to a formal or informal description of the APItext (URL)
What it represents
URL to a formal or informal description of the API
Value type
text (URL)
Anchor
API.describedBy
Reader notes
Use describedByType to help distinguish between formal and informal (i.e. human readable) descriptions: no describedByType value should indicate a human-readable document.
Schema notes
Use describedByType to help distinguish between formal and informal (i.e. human readable) descriptions.
describedByTypeThe machine-readable file format (IANA Media Type or MIME Type) of the API's describedBy URLtext
What it represents
The machine-readable file format (IANA Media Type or MIME Type) of the API's describedBy URL
Value type
text
Anchor
API.describedByType
Reader notes
If no value is given for this property, it can be assumed that the document given by the describedBy URL is human-readable documentation for the API.
a descriptive reference to another resource that related to this one
Where it is used
as a part of the value type for the isReplacedBy property of the Resource type
as the basis for extension type, ResourceReference
as the basis for extension type, VersionRelease
as the basis for extension type, BibliographicReference
Direct properties
Defined directly on this named type.
8
@idan identifier for the referencetext
What it represents
an identifier for the reference
Value type
text
Anchor
RelatedResource.@id
Schema notes
The most well-known PID used to identify the resource (see also notes for proxyFor
This identifier can be a relative URL which can be used in special cases (See the notes for BibliographicReference:@type for when this ID should not refer to the referenced work).
Though not required by this schema, providing an identifier for a component is critical for merging information from different sources.
A relative identifier requires that @base be set to the Resource identifier in the @context.
@typetext or list of text values
What it represents
Value type
text or list of text values
Anchor
RelatedResource.@type
Schema notes
The single string value option is provided for backward compatibility (and may be removed in future versions; see BibliographicReference). When this is used, the node represents a reference and not the thing being referenced; the @id contains a relative URI, representing this reference
titlethe name of the resource being referencedtext
What it represents
the name of the resource being referenced
Value type
text
Anchor
RelatedResource.title
Schema notes
This value is intended for display.
This can be, but is not required to be, the same title given in the metadata record describing the resource
proxyFora local identifier representing this resourcetext (URL)
What it represents
a local identifier representing this resource
Value type
text (URL)
Anchor
RelatedResource.proxyFor
Schema notes
This identifier is expected to point to an up-to-date description of the resource as known to the local system. The properties associated with that identifier may be different those given in the current record.
locationthe URL for accessing the resourcetext (URL)
What it represents
the URL for accessing the resource
Value type
text (URL)
Anchor
RelatedResource.location
labela recommended label or title to display as the text for a link to the documenttext
What it represents
a recommended label or title to display as the text for a link to the document
Value type
text
Anchor
RelatedResource.label
Schema notes
This is intended to be briefer than a citation. It should be short enough to use as tag to an entry in reference list as inserted into a document's text
issuedThe date the referenced resource was issuedFlexibleDate object
What it represents
The date the referenced resource was issued
Value type
FlexibleDate object
Anchor
RelatedResource.issued
Schema notes
This is intended for determining relative newness--i.e. being newer or older than the referring resource.
descriptiona brief, human-readable description of what this reference refers to and/or why it is being referenced.text
What it represents
a brief, human-readable description of what this reference refers to and/or why it is being referenced.
Value type
text
Anchor
RelatedResource.description
Named TypeResourceReference8 properties (8 inherited)
JSON type
object
What it represents
a reference to another resource that may have an associated ID
Where it is used
as a value type for the isPartOf property in the Resource type
citationa full formated citation string for the reference, appropriate for inclusion in a bibliographytext
What it represents
a full formated citation string for the reference, appropriate for inclusion in a bibliography
Value type
text
Anchor
BibliographicReference.citation
refTypethe type of relationship that this document has with the resourcetext
What it represents
the type of relationship that this document has with the resource
Value type
text
Anchor
BibliographicReference.refType
Schema notes
This is equivalent to the Datacite relationType in that the term is a predicate that connects the resource as the subject to the referenced document as the object (e.g. resource IsDocumentedBy referenced-doc)
The DCiteReference type sets DataCite terms as controlled vocabulary
refTypea term indicating the nature of the relationship between this resource and the one being referencedtext
What it represents
a term indicating the nature of the relationship between this resource and the one being referenced
Value type
text
Anchor
DCiteReference.refType
Schema notes
Note that with this term, the subject of relationship is the resource described by this NERDm record and the object is the referenced resource given by the @id property in this node. Although this violates the JSON-LD semantics that properties in this node should describe what's given with the local @id--the referenced resource, in this case--it is more consistant with their use in the DataCite schema.
Allowed values
IsDocumentedBy
The referenced document provides documentation of this resource.
IsSupplementedTo
The referenced document is a supplement to this resource.
IsCitedBy
The referenced document cites the resource in some way.
Cites
This resource cites the referenced document.
IsReviewedBy
The referenced document reviews this resource.
IsReferencedBy
The resource is used as a source of information by the referenced document.
References
The referenced document is used as a source of information by the resource.
IsSourceOf
The resource is the source of upon which the referenced resource is based.
IsDerivedFrom
The referenced document is the source upon which the resource is based.
IsNewVersionOf
The referenced resource is a previous version of this resource.
IsPreviousVersionOf
The referenced resource is a newer version of this resource.
IsVariantOf
The referenced resource contains the content of this resource in a different form.
The format of the value is restricted to 3 forms. A single date has the form YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss.sTZD, as in "2017-03-24T03:45:33.1"; note that any lowere precision version of this form is acceptable, such as "2017-03-24" or "2017".
A date range is expressed with two single dates in the above form separated by a forward slash (/)--as, in "2016-01/2016-12"
The third form from indicates a periodic interval, used to indicate that a resource is updated on a regular basis. Examples include "R/P1D" for daily, "R5/P2W" for 5 times, every 2 weeks. Consult the ISO 8601 standard for the detailed syntax.
Where it is used
as a value type for the modified property in the Resource type
a container for an identified concept term or proper thing
Where it is used
as a value type for the topic list property of the Resource type
as a value type for the topic list property of the Component type
as a value type for the algorithm property in the Checksum type
Direct properties
Defined directly on this named type.
4
@typea label indicating whether the value refers to a concept or a thingtext
What it represents
a label indicating whether the value refers to a concept or a thing
Value type
text
Anchor
Topic.@type
Allowed values
Concept
label indicating that the value refers to a concept (as in owl:Concept)
Thing
label indicating that the value refers to a named person, place, or thing (as in skos:Thing)
schemea URI that identifies the controlled vocabulary, registry, or identifier system that the value is defined in.text (URL)
What it represents
a URI that identifies the controlled vocabulary, registry, or identifier system that the value is defined in.
Value type
text (URL)
Anchor
Topic.scheme
@idthe unique identifier identifying the concept or thingtext (URL)
What it represents
the unique identifier identifying the concept or thing
Value type
text (URL)
Anchor
Topic.@id
taga short, display-able token that locally represents the concept or thingtext
What it represents
a short, display-able token that locally represents the concept or thing
Value type
text
Anchor
Topic.tag
Schema notes
As a token, it is intended that applications can search for this value and find all resources that are talking about the same thing. Thus, regardless of whether the @id field is provided, all references to the same concept or thing should use the same tag value.
Complete international dialing codes should be given, e.g. '+1-410-338-1234'
timezonethe time zone where the contact typically operatestext
What it represents
the time zone where the contact typically operates
Value type
text
Anchor
ContactInfo.timezone
proxyFora local identifier representing this persontext (URL)
What it represents
a local identifier representing this person
Value type
text (URL)
Anchor
ContactInfo.proxyFor
Schema notes
This identifier is expected to point to an up-to-date description of the person as known to the local system. The properties associated with that identifier may be different those given in the current record.
a description of a file format that a file employs
Where it is used
as a value type for the format property in the DownloadableFile type
as a value type for the format property in the AccessPage type
Direct properties
Defined directly on this named type.
4
descriptiona human-readable description of the formattext
What it represents
a human-readable description of the format
Value type
text
Anchor
Format.description
schemea URI that identifies the format type registry or identification system that the value is defined in.text (URL)
What it represents
a URI that identifies the format type registry or identification system that the value is defined in.
Value type
text (URL)
Anchor
Format.scheme
@idthe unique identifier for the formattext (URL)
What it represents
the unique identifier for the format
Value type
text (URL)
Anchor
Format.@id
taga short, display-able token or abbreviation for the formattext
What it represents
a short, display-able token or abbreviation for the format
Value type
text
Anchor
Format.tag
Schema notes
As a token, it is intended that applications can search for this value and find all files having the same format. Thus, regardless of whether the @id field is provided, all references to the same format should use the same tag value.
an identification a Person contributing to the publication of a resource
Where it is used
as a value type for the authors list property of the DataPublication type
Direct properties
Defined directly on this named type.
8
@typethe class indicating that this is a Persontext
What it represents
the class indicating that this is a Person
Value type
text
Anchor
Person.@type
fnthe author's full name in the preferred formattext
What it represents
the author's full name in the preferred format
Value type
text
Anchor
Person.fn
givenNamethe author's given nametext
What it represents
the author's given name
Value type
text
Anchor
Person.givenName
Schema notes
Often referred to in English-speaking conventions as the first name
familyNamethe author's family nametext
What it represents
the author's family name
Value type
text
Anchor
Person.familyName
Schema notes
Often referred to in English-speaking conventions as the last name
middleNamethe author's middle names or initialstext
What it represents
the author's middle names or initials
Value type
text
Anchor
Person.middleName
Schema notes
Often referred to in English-speaking conventions as the first name
orcidthe author's ORCIDORCIDpath object
What it represents
the author's ORCID
Value type
ORCIDpath object
Anchor
Person.orcid
affiliationThe institution the person was affiliated with at the time of publicationlist of Affiliation objects
What it represents
The institution the person was affiliated with at the time of publication
Value type
list of Affiliation objects
Anchor
Person.affiliation
proxyFora local identifier representing this persontext (URL)
What it represents
a local identifier representing this person
Value type
text (URL)
Anchor
Person.proxyFor
Schema notes
This identifier is expected to point to an up-to-date description of the person as known to the local system. The properties associated with that identifier may be different those given in the current record.
subunitssub-units of the main organization the that the person is a member oflist of text values
What it represents
sub-units of the main organization the that the person is a member of
Value type
list of text values
Anchor
Affiliation.subunits
Schema notes
The order of the array elements should be treated as significant. Typically (though not required), each element will reflect a more specific unit contained in unit nameed in the previous element.
A text-based, machine-readable data format whose abbreviated name
stands for Javascript Object Notation.
JSON is particularly well-suited for encoding metadata because its
central data
type, the object, collects data into name-value pairs
referred to as the object's
properties.
Where you see it
NERDm records and schema examples are JSON documents.
For example, a property providing contact information is called
contactPoint. Its value is a set of sub-properties that
includes fn (full name), hasEmail
(an email address), phoneNumber, and related fields.
The set of sub-properties is a type called
ContactInfo.
Where you see itcontactPoint uses the named type
ContactInfo.
property
A property is a piece of metadata that has a
name and a value. A value can be simple
text, a number, true/false, a list of values, or a set of
sub-properties, each with its own name and value.
Where you see ittitle, description, and
contactPoint are properties.
value type
The value type of a property restricts the kind of value it can have.
In general, a property can be defined to have one of these JSON values:
text
number
boolean
object
array
Further restrictions can be put on values, such as:
text restricted to one of a list of allowed values,
text restricted to a particular format, such as a URL,
a number restricted to a particular range, or
an object with properties having specific names and value types.
A special restriction on a value type is usually specified in the schema
and given a name, making it a
named type.
Where you see itaccessLevel is text, while
contactPoint is a ContactInfo object.
Examples
NERDm record examples
Curated examples from the live NIST records service that show how named types appear in real metadata records.
Collection parent record
CHIPS METIS Data Collection
Shows a collection parent record whose member data products point back to it through the isPartOf relationship.