Administrative Metadata refers to metadata that provides information about the management, administration, and governance of data or information assets. Unlike descriptive metadata, which describes the content and context of the data, Administrative Metadata focuses on the logistical and procedural aspects of data management.
Administrative metadata typically includes details such as:
- File Format: Information about the format of the data file, including its file type, encoding, and compression method.
- Versioning: Details about the version history of the data, including version numbers, release dates, and changes made between versions.
- Access Control: Information about access permissions and security settings governing who can access the data and what actions they are authorized to perform.
- Copyright and Licensing Information: Details about the copyright status, licensing terms, and usage restrictions associated with the data.
- Provenance: Information about the origin and history of the data, including its creators, contributors, sources, and processing steps applied to the data.
- Retention and Disposal Policies: Guidelines and rules governing the retention period for the data, as well as procedures for data disposal or archiving.
- Data Ownership and Stewardship: Information about the individuals or organizations responsible for managing and maintaining the data, including contact details and roles and responsibilities.
- Metadata Standards and Schemas: Specifications and conventions used to structure and encode administrative metadata, ensuring consistency and interoperability across different systems and platforms.
Administrative Metadata plays a crucial role in data governance, compliance, and stewardship efforts, helping organizations manage and control their data assets effectively. By providing insights into the logistical and procedural aspects of data management, Administrative Metadata supports tasks such as data access control, version control, auditing, and regulatory compliance.