Reading #8

Greenberg, J.  (2001).  A Quantitative Categorical Analysis of Metadata Elements in Image-Applicable Metadata Schemas.  Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 52(11), 917-924. 

A quantitative analysis on the metadata schemas Dublin Core, VRA Core, REACH and EAD with regards to their usefulness in describing visual images.  Metadata elements comprising the schemas were individually studied and grouped according to the four metadata classes established for the study: discovery, use, authentication, and administration, taking care to evaluate the applicability of each element to both print and digital images.  Each metadata element had a minimum of being assigned to one class and a maximum of being assigned to four classes.  The metadata element that met the qualifications of more than one class was considered multi-functional.  Each of the metadata schemas had elements that supported functions of each of the classes established by the study.   The results illuminate the need for a reconsideration of metadata schemas and perhaps a move away from cataloging-based schemas towards a class-oriented, functionality-based metadata schema for images across multiple domains.