DC-Government Application Profile

Title Government Application Profile

Creator Maewyn Cumming

Contributor Palle Aargaard; Makx Dekkers; Paul Murphy; Peter Pappamikail, John Borras, DC-Gov

Date Issued 2001-09-17

Identifier

Replaces Not applicable

IsReplacedBy Not applicable

Status of document This is a DCMI Working draft

Description This proposal is for an application profile that clarifies the use of Dublin Core in a public administration context. It was prepared by the Managing Information for e-Government (MIReG) group in conjunction with the DC-Gov Working Group.

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Namespaces and Format of entries

3 DC-Extensions and additions

4. DC-Government Application Profile

1. Introduction

This document proposes a possible application profile to clarify the use of the Dublin Core Metadata Element set by public administrations and in public sector-related applications and projects. The proposal is submitted by the Dublin Core Government Working Group to the Dublin Core Usage Board. The content of this document is intended to reflect the consensus reached within DCGov for a minimal extension set.

Metadata in the public sector

Dublin Core is already being used by practically all public administrations that want to use metadata to improve access to their information.

However, though seen as the ideal starting point, Dublin Core is not sufficient for our varied and specialised needs. It doesn't cater for data security, or the requirements of data protection or freedom of information legislation, nor the need for information audit trails, or the complex legislative processes.

It is therefore necessary to advance on two inter-connected fronts:

- the development of an extension to DC to create an element set comprehensive enough to cope with the job in hand;

- the development of an appropriate metadata framework , including application profiles, encoding schemes and indications of best practice, that administrations can subsequently use to support the proposed extended metadata set.

The DC-Gov working group has therefore joined forces with the MIReG Advisory Board to advance the extension; MIReG is part of the European Union IDA Programme (Interchange of Data between Administrations) for 2001, charged with producing an EC metadata framework. The MIReG Advisory Board consists of

* John Borras - UK Office of the e-Envoy

* Peter Pappamikail, European Parliament, ParlML project

* Palle Aagaard, Danish State Information Service

* Makx Dekkers, Luxembourg, Managing Director, DCMI

* Paul Murphy, European Commission, IDA Programme

* Maewyn Cumming, UK Office of the e-Envoy.

MIReG also works with CEN (European Standards Organisation) to help its Metadata for MultiMedia Information - Dublin Core (MMI-DC) Workshop. The Dublin Core Government working group will likewise continue to work over the next year with other interested parties to clarify and quantify the various issues and develop further proposals as necessary.

The extension to DC is the subject of the present submission; The metadata framework is exclusively the concern and remit of MIReG and will develop in consequence of the first.

2. Namespaces and Format of entries

The DC-Government Application Profile consists of several namespaces:

· Dublin Core Metadata Element Set, Version 1.1 [DCMES version 1.1]

· Dublin Core Qualifiers [DCMES Qualifiers (2000-07-11)]

· DC-Gov Metadata Element Set (DC-GOVMES)

· DC-Gov Metadata Element Set Qualifiers (DC-GOVMES Qualifiers)

Format of entries:

Name	The unique token assigned to the qualifier
Label	The human-readable label assigned to the qualifier.
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1, or DCMES Qualifiers (2000-07-11)
DC Refinement(s)	DC Element Refinements: These qualifiers make the meaning of an element narrower or more specific. A refined element shares the meaning of the unqualified element, but with a more restricted scope.
DC-Gov Refinement(s)	These are domain-specific refinements for DC-Gov.
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	These qualifiers identify schemes that aid in the interpretation of an element value. These schemes include controlled vocabularies and formal notations or parsing rules. A value expressed using an encoding scheme will thus be a token selected from a controlled vocabulary (e.g., a term from a classification system or set of subject headings) or a string formatted in accordance with a formal notation (e.g., "2000-01-01" as the standard expression of a date). If an encoding scheme is not understood by a client or agent, the value may still be useful to a human reader.
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	These are domain-specific encoding schemes for DC-Gov.
Form of Obligation	In the DC-Gov data model the obligation can be: Mandatory, Mandatory if applicable, Recommended or Optional. "Mandatory" ensures that some of the elements are always supported and “Mandatory if applicable” means that this element must be supported if the information is available. An element with a Mandatory obligation must have a value. The “Recommended” and “Optional” elements should be filled with a value if the information is appropriate to the given resource but if not, they can be left blank.
DC Definition	Dublin Core definition of this metadata field
DC Comment	Dublin Core comments on this metadata field
DC-Gov Definition	DC-Gov definition of this metadata field, if different from the DC definition
DC-Gov Comment	DC-Gov comments on this metadata field
Best practice	Recommendations of best use of this element for DC-Gov
Open questions	Problems, notes, open questions regarding this field

3 DC-Extensions and additions

A summary of the extensions, additions and other changes proposed to the Dublin Core Elements Set

A. Additional Element

1. Audience

A class of entity for whom the resource is intended or useful

B. Additional refinements to existing DC elements

1. Date

acquired

Date on which the resource was received into the organisation

2. Relation

isBasedOn	The described resource is a translation, derivation or interpretation of another resource
isBasisFor	The described resource is translated, derived or interpreted by another resource

3. Rights

access marking	Item or notation regulating access to the resource.
previousAccessMarking	Item or notation of immediately preceding marking, if any, at time of change.
accessMarkingChangeDate	Date that the access marking allocated previously to the current accessMarking was changed.
accessRights	Constraints or obligation governing the release of the resource.
copyright	Identifier or statement indicating the legal ownership and rights regarding use of the resource

4. Subject

category	A broad or top level subject categorisation or classification of subject areas.
keyword	Term describing the specific subject of the resource.

5. Type

aggregationLevel	A resource type may be an aggregation of instances of another resource type:
dossierType	Classification of the dossier or collection of items
itemType	Classification of the item, file or document

4. DC-Government Application Profile

Audience

Name	audience
Label	Audience
Choice of Namespace:	?
DC-Gov Refinement(s)	-
Form of Obligation	Optional
DC-Gov Definition	A class of entity for whom the resource is intended or useful.
DC-Gov Comment	This element describes the people for whom the resource is aimed, e.g. the educational level, profession etc. It does not indicate rights of access.
Best practice	This element should be left blank unless a specific audience is intended; i.e. there is little to be gained in terms of retrieval by putting ‘general public’ or ‘everyone’.
Open questions	An encoding scheme is needed and will be developed as part of the MIReG project

Contributor

Name	contributor
Label	Contributor
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinement(s)	-
DC-Gov Refinement(s)	-
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	-
Form of Obligation	Mandatory if applicable
DC Definition	An entity responsible for making contributions to the content of the resource.
DC Comment	Examples of a Contributor include a person, an organisation, or a service. Typically, the name of a Contributor should be used to indicate the entity.
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	Examples of a Contributor include a person or organisation. Typically, the name of a Contributor should be used to indicate the entity.
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Coverage

Name	coverage ¦ spatial
Label	Coverage ¦ Spatial
Choice of Namespace	DCMES Qualifiers
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	DCMI Point, ISO 3166, DCMI Box, TGN
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	ISO 191115 Other schemes as appropriate
Form of Obligation	Recommended or Mandatory if applicable
DC Definition	Spatial characteristics of the intellectual content of the resource.
DC Comment	Coverage will typically include spatial location. Recommended best practice is to select a value from a controlled vocabulary.
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	Use Coverage with qualifier Spatial or Temporal.
Open questions	Is there a suitable encoding scheme that meets the level of detail and variety of regions that government information resources cover? Should there be a separate Jurisdiction refinement? Is this really a sub-refinement of Coverage.spatial? Can we have Jurisdiction as a refinement of Creator and Coverage?

Name	coverage ¦ temporal
Label	Coverage | Temporal
Choice of Namespace	DCMES Qualifiers
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	DCMI Period, W3C-DTF
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	DCMI Period, W3C-DTF
Form of Obligation	Recommended or Mandatory if applicable
DC Definition	Temporal characteristics of the intellectual content of the resource.
DC Comment	Coverage will typically include temporal period.
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	-
Open questions	Level of obligation

Creator

Name	creator
Label	Creator
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinement(s)	-
DC-Gov Refinement(s)	-
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	-
Form of Obligation	Mandatory
DC Definition	An entity primarily responsible for making the content of the resource.
DC Comment	Examples of a Creator include a person, an organisation, or a service. Typically, the name of a Creator should be used to indicate the entity.
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	Examples of a Creator include a person or organisation. Typically, the name of a Creator should be used to indicate the entity. This Agent often has legal responsibilities and obligations, and personal names may be needed for audit trails.
Best practice	Indicate the Creator as specifically as possible, e.g. include not only the organisation but also the section, department or team and individual as applicable.
Open questions	Do we need qualifiers for the Jurisdiction and Function of the Creator?

Date

Name	date
Label	Date
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinement(s)	Created, Valid, Available, Issued, Modified
DC-Gov Refinement(s)	Acquired, Created, Valid, Available, Issued, Modified,
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF, DCMI Period
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF, DCMI Period
Form of Obligation	Mandatory if applicable
DC Definition	A date associated with an event in the life cycle of the resource.
DC Comment	Typically, date will be associated with the creation or availability of the resource. Recommended best practice for encoding the date value is defined in a profile of ISO 8601 [W3CDTF] and follows the YYYY-MM-DD format.
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	A refinement should always be used.
Open questions	Do we accept the Date element without refinement? How to deal with inadequacies of the possible encoding schemes? There are limitations in conveying: 1) BCE dates; 2) non-Gregorian calendar dates; 3) ambiguity, approximation (e.g., about, near, flourished, assumed); 4) partially known dates (e.g., 19?? ); 5) date is unknown/unavailable; 6) open-ended intervals (e.g., 1999-); 7) complex, multi-instance/period intervals. Are there conventions (e.g. bracket, slash, etc.) or other encoding schemes we want to specify to allow for these limitations?

Date

Name	date ¦ acquired
Label	Date ¦ Acquired
Choice of Namespace:	?
DC Refinement(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF
DC Definition	Date on which the resource was received into the organisation.
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	The nature of a resource can change when it is submitted by one authority to another, ( e.g. in legislative procedures) without necessarily any change being made to the content of that resource. EXAMPLE: The date that a legislative text is tabled for consideration (=date of acquisition by the House) is not the same as the date the resource is adopted (by the submitting or receiving authority).
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Date

Name	date ¦ created
Label	Date | Created
Choice of Namespace	DCMES Qualifiers (2000-07-11)
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF
DC Definition	Date of creation of the resource.
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Date

Name	date ¦ valid
Label	Date | Valid
Choice of Namespace	DCMES Qualifiers (2000-07-11)
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF, DCMI Period
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF, DCMI Period
DC Definition	Date (often a range) of validity of the resource.
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	?
Open questions	-

Date

Name	date ¦ available
Label	Date | Available
Choice of Namespace	DCMES Qualifiers (2000-07-11)
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF, DCMI Period
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF, DCMI Period
DC Definition	Date (often a range) that the resource will be or did become available.
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Date

Name	date ¦ issued
Label	Date | Issued
Choice of Namespace	DCMES Qualifiers (2000-07-11)
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF
DC Definition	Date of formal issuance (e.g. publication) of the resource.
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	A unique date, rather than a range, on which a resource was published or otherwise made available. Includes date resource was put onto a web site. The Time of issue may also be needed e.g. where the item was subject to a press embargo.
Best practice
Open questions

Date

Name	date ¦ modified
Label	Date | Modified
Choice of Namespace	DCMES Qualifiers (2000-07-11)
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF
DC Definition	Date on which the resource was changed.
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Description

Name	description
Label	Description
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinement(s)	Table of contents ; Abstract
DC-Gov Refinement(s)	Table of contents ; Abstract
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	-
Form of Obligation	Recommended
DC Definition	An account of the content of the resource.
DC Comment	Description may include but is not limited to: an abstract, table of contents, reference to a graphical representation of content or a free-text account of the content.
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	The description could cover approach to subject (e.g. critique, explanation, beginners guide), reason for production of resource, (e.g. to inform, invite discussion, record events), groups and organisations referred to, events covered, list of key fields (database) or chapters, any other useful information
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Format

Name	format
Label	Format
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinement(s)	Extent; Medium
DC-Gov Refinement(s)	Extent; Medium
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	IMT
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	IMT Other schemes as appropriate
Form of Obligation	Recommended
DC Definition	The physical or digital manifestation of the resource.
DC Comment	Typically, Format may include the media-type or dimensions of the resource. Format may be used to determine the software, hardware or other equipment needed to display or operate the resource. Examples of dimensions include size and duration. Recommended best practice is to select a value from a controlled vocabulary (for example, the list of Internet Media Types [MIME] defining computer media formats).
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Identifier

Name	identifier
Label	Identifier
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinement(s)	-
DC-Gov Refinement(s)	-
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	URI
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	URI, ISBN, ISSN Other schemes as appropriate
Form of Obligation	Mandatory
DC Definition	An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context.
DC Comment	Recommended best practice is to identify the resource by means of a string or number conforming to a formal identification system. Example formal identification systems include the Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) (including the Uniform Resource Locator (URL)), the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) and the International Standard Book Number (ISBN).
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	Other possible identifiers are the ISO 8879 FPI (Formal Public Identifier) -
Best practice	Use best practice statement as above.
Open questions	Should ISBN, ISSN be used as encoding schemes? How to deal with internal identifiers – we could build on EC work developing a hierarchical scheme for identifiers, adding identifiers for country/organisation/item to create a unique identifier. How to indicate sub-sections of documents and serials, e.g. specific chapters or clauses of Acts?

Language

Name	language
Label	Language
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinement(s)
DC-Gov Refinement(s)
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	ISO 639-2/B, RFC3066
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	ISO 639-2/T, ISO 639-2/B
Form of Obligation	Mandatory if applicable
DC Definition	A language of the intellectual content of the resource.
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	Use codes rather than text. Use ISO 639-2/T for preference.
Open questions	-

Publisher

Name	publisher
Label	Publisher
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinement(s)	-
DC-Gov Refinement(s)	-
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	-
Form of Obligation	Recommended
DC Definition	An entity responsible for making the resource available.
DC Comment	Examples of a Publisher include a person, an organisation, or a service. Typically, the name of a Publisher should be used to indicate the entity.
DC-Gov Definition	The publisher is the entity to whom one should go to obtain copies of a resource, be they printed versions of an on-line resource or printed copies of an off-line resource. The publisher is also the entity one should approach for permission to reuse or republish the resource.
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	A publisher has certain legal responsibilities regarding the information, so should always be named.
Open questions	-

Relation

NOTE – qualifiers appear here in pairs, to save space

Name	relation
Label	Relation
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinements	Is Version Of, Has Version, Is Replaced By, Replaces, Is Required By, Requires, Is Part Of, Has Part, Is Referenced By, References, Is Format Of, Has Format
DC-Gov Refinements	Is Version Of, Has Version, Is Basis for, Is Based On, Is Replaced By, Replaces, Is Required By, Requires, Is Part Of, Has Part, Is Referenced By, References, Is Format Of, Has Format,
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	URI
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	URI Other schemes as appropriate
Form of Obligation	Optional
DC Definition	A reference to a related resource.
DC Comment	Recommended best practice is to reference the resource by means of a string or number conforming to a formal identification system.
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	If using qualifiers, use the most specific one that is applicable. Relation can be used to allow cascading retrieval of interrelated objects, especially if used in conjunction with the Type.aggregationLevel element.
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Relation

Name	relation ¦ isVersionOf / hasVersion
Label	Relation | Is Version Of / Has Version
Choice of Namespace	DCMES Qualifiers
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	URI
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	URI Other schemes as appropriate
DC Definition	The described resource is a version, edition, or adaptation of the referenced resource. Changes in version implies substantive changes in content rather than differences in format.
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Name	relation ¦ isBasedOn / isBasisFor
Label	Relation ¦ Is Based On / Is Basis For
Choice of Namespace:	?
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	URI
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	URI Other schemes as appropriate
DC Definition
DC Comment
DC-Gov Definition	The described resource is a translation, derivation or interpretation of another resource.
DC-Gov Comment	Whereas isVersionOf indicates a ‘linear’ evolution of a content from one stage to another, isBasedOn indicates a ‘transversal’ relationship with another resource, either of a similar or same nature in another language or of a completely separate resource that nonetheless has inspired or been used in the creation or evolution of the resource. EXAMPLES. A legal act that ‘isBasedOn’ a draft legislative proposal and a European Union directive. A press release that IsBasedOn the published research paper.
Best practice	Some confusion has been known between isBasedOn and Source. isBasedOn/isBasisFor allows two-way resource linking, and should be used for preference.
Open questions	Need some good examples here, and perhaps a better definition.

Name	relation ¦ isFormatOf / hasFormat
Label	Relation | Is Format Of / Has Format
Choice of Namespace	DCMES Qualifiers
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	URI
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	URI Other schemes as appropriate
DC Definition	The described resource is the same intellectual content of the referenced resource, but presented in another format.
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	The described resource is the same intellectual content of the referenced resource, but presented in different physical or digital format.
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Name	relation ¦ isReplacedBy / replaces
Label	Relation | Is Replaced By / Replaces
Choice of Namespace	DCMES Qualifiers
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	URI
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	URI Other schemes as appropriate
DC Definition	The described resource is supplanted, displaced, or superseded by the referenced resource.
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Name	relation ¦ isPartOf / hasPart
Label	Relation | Is Part Of / Has Part
Choice of Namespace	DCMES Qualifiers
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	URI
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	URI Other schemes as appropriate
DC Definition	The described resource is a physical or logical part of the referenced resource.
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	Can be used in conjunction with Type¦Aggregation level to give a clear description of dossiers and collections.
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Name	relation ¦ isRequiredBy / requires
Label	Relation | Is Required By / Requires
Choice of Namespace	DCMES Qualifiers
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	URI
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	URI Other schemes as appropriate
DC Definition	The described resource requires the referenced resource to support its function, delivery, or coherence of content.
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Name	relation ¦ isReferencedBy / references
Label	Relation | Is Referenced By / References
Choice of Namespace	DCMES Qualifiers
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	URI
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	URI Other schemes as appropriate
DC Definition	The described resource is referenced, cited, or otherwise pointed to by the referenced resource.
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Rights

Name	rights
Label	Rights
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinement(s)	-
DC-Gov Refinement(s)	Access Marking, Previous Access Marking, Previous Access Marking Change Date, Access Rights, Copyright
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	-
Form of Obligation	Mandatory if applicable
DC Definition	Information about rights held in and over the resource.
DC Comment	Typically, a Rights element will contain a rights management statement for the resource, or reference a service providing such information. Rights information often encompasses Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Copyright, and various Property Rights.
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	The rights element is used to indicate security markings, as well as legal and other obligations and restrictions on access to the resource.
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Rights

Name	rights ¦ accessMarking
Label	Rights ¦ Access Marking
Choice of Namespace:	?
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC Definition	-
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	Item or notation regulating access to the resource.
DC-Gov Comment	The security or access classification of the resource EXAMPLES: Secret, Confidential-within-administration, Public
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Name	rights ¦ previousAccessMarking
Label	Rights ¦ Previous Access Marking
Choice of Namespace:	?
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC Definition	-
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	Item or notation of immediately preceding marking, if any, at time of change.
DC-Gov Comment	Repeated us of this refinement and the Previous Access Marking Change Date provide an access status history of the resource.
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Rights

Name	rights ¦ previousAccessMarkingChangeDate
Label	Rights ¦ Previous Access Marking Change Date
Choice of Namespace:	?
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	W3CDTF
DC Definition	-
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	Date that the access marking allocated previously to the current AccessMarking was changed .
DC-Gov Comment	Date of the change indicated in the preceding refinement.
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Rights

Name	rights ¦ accessRights
Label	Rights ¦ Access Rights
Choice of Namespace:	?
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC Definition	-
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	Constraints or obligation governing the release of the resource.
DC-Gov Comment	Indicates the legal or other basis which governs public access to the resource. EXAMPLE: Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/lif/dat/2001/en_301R1049.html)
Best practice	-
Open questions	Do we need an encoding scheme?

Name	rights ¦ copyright
Label	Rights ¦ Copyright
Choice of Namespace:	?
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC Definition	-
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	Identifier or statement indicating the legal ownership and rights regarding use of the resource.
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	Link to a standard description of rights such as the Crown copyright notice at www.hmso.gov.uk/docs/copynote.htm
Open questions	Does this clash with the DC-Lib proposal to have a Date¦Copyright refinement? Would it be better to put the Copyright statement and date together in this refinement?

Source

Name	source
Label	Source
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinement(s)	-
DC-Gov Refinement(s)	-
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	URI
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	URI Other schemes as appropriate
Form of Obligation	O
DC Definition	A reference to a resource from which the present resource is derived.
DC Comment	The present resource may be derived from the Source resource in whole or in part. Recommended best practice is to reference the resource by means of a string or number conforming to a formal identification system.
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	Use Relation for preference
Best practice	Reference by means of an identifier
Open questions

Subject

Name	subject
Label	Subject
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinement(s)	-
DC-Gov Refinements	Category, Keyword
DC Encoding Schemes	LCSH ; MeSH ; DDC ; LCC ; UDC
DC-Gov Encoding Schemes
Form of Obligation	Mandatory if applicable
DC Definition	The topic of the content of the resource.
DC Comment	Typically, a Subject will be expressed as keywords, key phrases or classification codes that describe a topic of the resource. Recommended best practice is to select a value from a controlled vocabulary or formal classification scheme.
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	Use Subject if no encoding scheme is used. An encoding scheme should always be used for either of the refinements.
Open questions	-

Subject

Name	subject ¦ category
Label	Subject ¦ Category
Choice of Namespace:	?
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	UK Government Category List Other schemes as appropriate
DC Definition	-
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	A broad or top level subject categorisation or classification of subject areas.
DC-Gov Comment	Differs from Subject¦Keyword in that it requires a broad heading not a specific subject descriptor. This will be used for browsing systems (Yahoo-type categories) and other circumstances where only a broad heading is needed. It should be possible to use Keyword and Category in conjunction, e.g. to search all items in a given category with given keywords.
Best practice	Value to be taken from either framework-specific or organisation specific taxonomy.
Open questions	Coincides with the proposed DC-Lib Subject¦Classification refinement. Prefer ‘Category’ as ‘Classification’ implies an alphanumeric code.

Subject

Name	subject ¦ keyword
Label	Subject ¦ Keyword
Choice of Namespace:	?
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	LCSH ; MeSH ; DDC ; LCC ; UDC Other schemes as appropriate
DC Definition	-
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	Term describing the specific subject of the resource
DC-Gov Comment	Entry would contain the subject to be found at the lowest level of granularity available in a controlled vocabulary or thesaurus and descriptive of the subject matter of the resource.
Best practice	Term from a thesaurus or similar controlled vocabulary.
Open questions	Coincides with the proposed DC-Lib Subject¦Keyword. Requires a specific subject descriptor rather than broad heading. Will be used to aid the mapping of multiple thesauri.

Title

Name	title
Label	Title
Choice of Namespace:	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinement(s)	Alternative
DC-Gov Refinement(s)	Alternative
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	-
Form of Obligation	Mandatory
DC Definition	A name given to the resource.
DC Comment	Typically, a title will be a name by which the resource is formally known.
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	For alternative title add any form of the title used as a substitute or alternative to the formal title of the resource, including abbreviations.
Best practice	Drop initial articles if present
Open questions	-

Type

Name	type
Label	Resource Type
Choice of Namespace	DCMES version 1.1
DC Refinement(s)	-
DC-Gov Refinement(s)	-
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	DCMI Type
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	DCMI Type Other schemes as appropriate
Form of Obligation	Recommended
DC Definition	The nature or genre of the content of the resource.
DC Comment	Type includes terms describing general categories, functions, genres, or aggregation levels for content. Recommended best practice is to select a value from a controlled vocabulary. To describe the physical or digital manifestation of the resource, use the Format element.
DC-Gov Definition	-
DC-Gov Comment	-
Best practice	Use a controlled list and identify the source with encoding scheme.
Open questions	Do we accept the Type element in a unqualified (unencoded) form?

Name	type ¦ aggregationLevel
Label	Type ¦ Aggregation Level
Choice of Namespace:	?
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	Collection; Dossier; Item
Form of Obligation	Recommended
DC Definition	-
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	A resource type may be an aggregation of instances of another resource type.
DC-Gov Comment	This element allows searches to be restricted to records at a particular level of aggregation. It also controls the management actions which may be taken on the record(s). It should be worked in conjunction with Relation¦HasPart. This refinement describes where in the collection hierarchy, if anywhere, a resource sits; the relation indicates what, if any other resources also belong in that hierarchy. Note that it is possible for a ‘Folder’ or ‘collection’ level description to exist for a resource which is empty, i.e. it contains no parts. In this instance the hasPart relation would not indicate the level. Nor is it possible to limit a search by Level by using hasPart. The entry indicates the level of aggregation.
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Name	type ¦ dossierType
Label	Type ¦ Dossier Type
Choice of Namespace:	?
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	-
Form of Obligation	Recommended
DC Definition	-
DC Comment	A number of items gathered together into one container or folder.
DC-Gov Definition	Classification of the dossier or collection.
DC-Gov Comment	An example encoding scheme (as used by UK) is Policy; Case; Parliamentary Question; Minister’s Case.
Best practice	-
Open questions	-

Name	type ¦ itemType
Label	Type ¦ Item Type
Choice of Namespace:	?
DC Encoding Scheme(s)	-
DC-Gov Encoding Scheme(s)	-
Form of Obligation	Recommended
DC Definition	-
DC Comment	-
DC-Gov Definition	Classification of the item, file or document.
DC-Gov Comment	An encoding scheme for government item types will be developed by the MIReG project.
Best practice	-
Open questions	-