Finding relevant research data is tremendously easier if the data are described in detail using controlled vocabularies and discipline-specific metadata. But this is still not enough. Data descriptions should be descriptions of data, scope, collection methods and use, not published research outputs and results. This skill is important for anyone describing research data in repository services, libraries, or research-producing organisations.

In this webinar, experts from the Finnish Social Sciences Data Archive and Danish National Archive, both service providers for CESSDA, will explain how data are processed and described and what ingredients are needed from a researcher to produce rich metadata describing datasets. In addition, the tools supported by CESSDA for metadata production are presented. Participants will gain a clear understanding of what the elements of a good data description are and how it makes the research data better discoverable.

The focus of this webinar is on data curators who produce descriptive, provenience, or technical metadata, but also on researchers who are often asked to produce at least entry-level metadata regarding their datasets for self-archiving or before depositing to a data archive. Content is relevant to anyone who describes data in archives, libraries, or research-producing organisations.

Programme outline

• Introduction
• CESSDA and its services related to data description and metadata production and use
• What is a data description and how to produce a good one?
• Describing data in practice: FSD and DNA as case examples
• Metadata in use: harvesting, reuse, licensing
• Discussion and Q & A

The event starts at 10:00 and ends at 12:30.