What are metadata?

What is a metadata file and why is it required?

Metadata provide information about a data collection. In a data archive, each folder must include a metadata file that describes the folder's contents and how these relate to the document, e.g. describe which data files were used to plot a particular figure, or which parameters were used to generate the simulated datasets used for the publication. Descriptive metadata files should allow for accessibility of a data archive regardless of the availability of the original author. The metadata file in the (main folder of the) archive must always contain a formatted description of the publication or thesis. For journal papers and book chapters, use the Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics journal format for the bibliographic reference. Do not abbreviate the author list to et al., and include the DOI of the paper (can be found through Web of Science).

Metadata file name: read_me_first.txt

1. Relevant metadata fields (standard DataCite fields) as indicated in the template files.
2. An overview of the contents of the zip archive and how this relates to the publication: indicate how the data was processed, which data was used in which chapter & to produce what results/plots, or which code & parameters were used to generate the simulated datasets used for the publication.
3. When including other file formats than listed in section 9: indicate which computer programs were used plus link to source site when relevant.
4. For published papers (also thesis chapters): a complete reference to the published paper including the doi.
5. If relevant: A short description of external data sets used for the paper, including a reference to their home institute & the principal scientist responsible for their quality.
6. If relevant: references to any on-line programs that were used to produce (parts of) the paper.
7. For PhD theses: points 2 – 6 in a separate read_me_first.txt fie for each chapter.