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Audiovisual resources available online gain more importance in satisfying users' information needs, yet the quality of metadata that ensures discoverability of these resources is not yet emphasized, mainly due to lack of benchmark data. This article addresses the need by presenting results of the comparative evaluation of accuracy and completeness of Dublin Core metadata records created by metadata beginners to represent audio recordings and video recordings. We present our findings in the context of how the metadata learning is organized at the program which currently prepares most of those entering the information profession in Kuwait. Findings reveal some similarities, as well as some pronounced differences in metadata accuracy and completeness patterns for two kinds of online digital resources: audio recordings and video recordings. Video metadata was found to be of substantially higher quality than audio metadata created by the same beginners. Overall, for audiovisual information resources, we found the Type metadata field to be the least prone to completeness errors, and Format to accuracy errors. Our data suggests that the Source metadata field is the most vulnerable for accuracy errors in both audio metadata and video metadata. However, Dublin Core metadata fields with the highest possibility of completeness errors did not exhibit overlap between the two sets of beginner-created metadata records. We discuss examples of the most common metadata errors and compare results with findings of previous research. Empirical data obtained in this study allows assessing preparedness of information professionals to create metadata that is functional in supporting resource discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of metadata has a direct effect on the ability to find, identify, select, obtain, and explore information; therefore, training to create high-quality metadata is an important, yet challenging, task for LIS educators. To provide such training effectively, instructors need to develop a vision for where best to focus their efforts, informed by understanding of the common metadata quality problems in student-created records and the way in which observed patterns correlate with the content and methods of instruction. Our exploratory case study addresses this need through empirical data. The article provides an overview of the metadata-creation skill building in instructional design of an online graduate metadata course at a US university and includes results of a comparative content analysis of student-created Dublin Core metadata records in three semesters based on the criteria of accuracy, completeness, and consistency. Findings reveal that accuracy and completeness issues are prevalent and that metadata quality problems revolve mainly around representation of relations and subjects and the application of controlled vocabularies. Results also indicate student confusion regarding the purpose of several metadata elements. The article discusses the findings in relation to content and methods of instruction, considers how the observed quality issues in student-created metadata might be addressed in improving skill building through curriculum development, and proposes directions for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents results of the examination of subject representation in the most recently created library metadata records. The bibliographic records were collected from the WorldCat global database. The records were created in 2020 according to the latest version of Resource Description and Access (RDA) and MARC 21Format for Bibliographic Data. A purposive sample of the records with the widest reach--as expressed in the highest number of holdings and the highest level of editing made by multiple institutions--was selected for in-depth content analysis. The level and patterns of application were analyzed for all subject representation data elements (record fields and subfields), specifically for those that were Linked-Data-enabling. The study examined the level and patterns of application of subject controlled vocabularies. Co-occurrences between various subject representation data elements and between subject controlled vocabularies within the records were explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language archives are repositories of language data: material about or in a set of languages, including audio and video recordings, transcriptions, translations, and linguistic annotations. Beyond their value for academic applications, digital availability of language data holds potential to support language and cultural revitalization and maintenance. Until recently, language archives have not been considered in information science research. This article reports the first empirical investigation of various dimensions of organization and representation of recorded knowledge and information in language archives. The study used a combination of semi-structured interviews and content analysis. Results demonstrate that, while some of the phenomena related to organization of information in language archives are specific to these types of archives, others are more typical and have been addressed by libraries in past research and practice. For example, authority control, sustainability, and software interoperability are among the primary issues identified by our study. This paper discusses the metadata-related opportunities and challenges for language archive managers and depositors observed in this study, and suggests directions for future research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A new approach to investigate serendipitous knowledge discovery (SKD) of health information is developed and tested to evaluate the information flow-serendipitous knowledge discovery (IF-SKD) model. The purpose of this paper is to determine the degree to which IF-SKD reflects physicians' information behaviour in a clinical setting and explore how the information system, Spark, designed to support physicians' SKD, meets its goals. Design/methodology/approach: The proposed pre-experimental study design employs an adapted version of the McCay-Peet's (2013) and McCay-Peet et al.'s (2015) serendipitous digital environment (SDE) questionnaire research tool to address the complexity associated with defining the way in which SKD is understood and applied in system design. To test the IF-SKD model, the new data analysis approach combining confirmatory factor analysis, data imputation and Monte Carlo simulations was developed. Findings: The piloting of the proposed novel analysis approach demonstrated that small sample information behaviour survey data can be meaningfully examined using a confirmatory factor analysis technique. Research limitations/implications: This method allows to improve the reliability in measuring SKD and the generalisability of findings. Originality/value: This paper makes an original contribution to developing and refining methods and tools of research into information-system-supported serendipitous discovery of information by health providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provision of high-quality subject metadata is crucial for organizing adequate subject access to rich content aggregated by digital libraries. A number of large-scale digital libraries worldwide are now generating subject metadata to describe not only individual objects but entire digital collections as an integral whole. However, little research to date has been conducted to empirically evaluate the quality of this collection-level subject metadata. The study presented in this article compares free-text and controlled-vocabulary collection-level subject metadata in three large-scale cultural heritage digital libraries in the United States and the European Union. As revealed by this study, the emerging best practices for creating rich collection-level subject metadata includes describing a collection's subject matter with mutually complementary data values in controlled-vocabulary and free-text subject metadata elements. Three kinds of complementarity were observed in this study: one-way complementarity, two-way complementarity, and multiple complementarity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An important function of metadata for electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) is supporting the discovery of related documents through linking of data values in the fields of metadata records. While benefits of the ETD format allow for full-text searching, metadata is still an important and necessary component of the global ETD infrastructure because often it is not possible to share the full documents in aggregations such as the Global ETD Search for the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations. The metadata field that has the most potential to assist users in discovery is the subject field used to represent what a resource is about. Over the years there has been much discussion of the value of author-generated keywords versus adding subject terms from controlled vocabularies by information professionals as documents are submitted to the University repository. This research seeks to explore this problem with the help of network analysis method not used for such analyses before by building and analyzing metadata record graphs for the University of North Texas theses and dissertations. This paper reports on the characteristics of keyword-based and controlled-vocabulary-based metadata record networks and discusses insights that can be gained from this approach to metadata quality analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]