Metadata vocabularies

Keywords

Keywords are uncontrolled words that are searchable. Keywords, although easy to apply provide lack of consistency in choice of words, with different spelling and form of words which can compromise searching by subject. Synonym lists can be very effective in minimizing variants introduced by natural language.

Controlled vocabularies

Controlled vocabularies consist of organised lists of words or phrases used to provide consistent tagging of content for resource discovery. Taxonomies, thesauri, classification, facets, synonym rings, etc are all controlled vocabularies with some level of controlled language terminology. Strong preference should be given to using a thesaurus for choosing subjects as this will provide consistency in the use of terms and assist with focused searching. (NLA 2002). The DC standard also recommends use of a controlled vocabulary or formal classification scheme as best practice (Hillmann, 2005, Using Dublin Core)

Which vocabulary to use depends on the purpose of the metadata, your users, nature and extent of the collection, staff resources and community experience. It is possible to use an existing controlled vocabulary, adapt or customize an existing vocabulary, or build one from scratch.

Controlled vocabularies can be

• subject based eg LCSH, MeSH, ASRC / RFCD, APAIS, AGIFT or
• syntax encoding schemes eg ISO 8601, IMT, RFC 3066 etc or
• community-specific vocabularies eg CMS Type vocabulary.

DCMI provides a complete list of encoding schemes and has implemented a registry of controlled vocabularies which promotes the discovery and reuse of standard terms across diverse disciplines and communities of practice.

Vocabulary resources

Lists

• HILT - High-Level Thesaurus
  • A-Z of Thesauri
  • Vocabulary resources
• Dublin Core Metadata Initiative
  • Encoding Schemes
  • Metadata Registry

Websites

• Lexonomy has relevant articles especially 'A taxonomy primer'
• Boxes and arrows includes articles on controlled vocabularies

Documents

• Sugimoto, Shigeo, et al "Developing Community-Oriented Metadata Vocabularies: some case studies", Available: http://avalon.ulis.ac.jp/~sugimoto/Articles/DLKCpaperFinal.pdf
• "Guidelines for using subject metadata and controlled vocabularies for resource discovery (2005)" Brisbane: Dept of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Available: http://www.governmentict.qld.gov.au/02_infostand/downloads/metadata.pdf

Projects

• "FAST :Faceted Application of Subject Terminology" www.oclc.org
  ©2005 OCLC Online Computer Library Center
  <http://www.oclc.org/research/projects/fast/> FAST is derived from LCSH (Library of Congress Subject Headings) with a simplified syntax which is easy-to-use, understand and apply.

Services

• OCLC Terminologies Service
  provides access to multiple thesauri in a single interface and integrates with OCLC products and other metadata editor tools

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