Video 3: Metadata and Documentation

Metadata and documentation are critical components of the research data life cycle [00:06]. This video explains how to effectively document and organize your research data from the planning phase through publishing [00:15]. Learn the importance of standardized formats like Dublin Core, the use of Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELNs), and how to create a useful README file so others (and your future self!) can easily understand and reuse your data [00:31].

➡️ Video Chapters (For Navigation)
0:00 Introduction: Metadata's Role in the Data Life Cycle
0:31 Storing Metadata: Standards and Formats (XML, JSON)
0:46 Adding Metadata to Specific File Types (Images, Documents, Data Sets)
1:05 Metadata during Data Publishing
1:18 Documenting Data in a Data Management Plan (DMP)
1:52 Using Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELNs)
2:12 The Structure and Purpose of a Data Dictionary
2:35 Creating an Effective README File
2:50 Determining and Implementing Metadata Standards (Dublin Core, XML)

➡️ Resources & Series Links
This video mentions several essential metadata standards and tools for RDM.
53 Best Data dictionary tools for 2025 - DBMS Tools https://dbmstools.com/categories/data...

Dublin Core (DCMI) https://dublincore.org/
The organization supporting the development of a widely used, general-purpose metadata vocabulary for describing resources of any type.

ISOTAB Format https://cran.r-project.org/web/packag...
A specific data format/standard often required in biological and biomedical investigations, which is also a package used in statistical software like R (as isotab in isopam). While the standard does not have a single dedicated website, information related to its use is often found under MIIBI (Minimum Information for Biological and Biomedical Investigations) or ISA-TAB standards.

Dryad (Data Repository) https://datadryad.org/
A non-profit, curated, general-purpose open-access repository for research data from all disciplines. It helps make data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) and provides a citable DOI.

Zenodo https://zenodo.org/
An open repository for all scholarship, enabling researchers from all disciplines to share and preserve their publications, datasets, research software, and other outputs. Hosted by CERN.

UniProt (Universal Protein Resource) http://www.uniprot.org/
A comprehensive, high-quality, and freely accessible resource of protein sequence and functional information.

➡️ Continue the Learning Journey:
Next Video (Video 4): Data Repositories: • 4. Data Repositories

Learn how to select a suitable repository for your field and prepare your data set for upload.

Full ELIXIR-CZ RDM Video Series Playlist: • Research Data Management Video Series

Previous Video (Video 2): Research Data Organization: • 2. Research Data Organization

Series Introduction: • Welcome to the Research Data Management Vi...

➡️ Connect with ELIXIR-CZ
Website: https://www.elixir-czech.cz/
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