Agricultural Metadata Element Set (AGMES)
Namespace Documentation
version 1.1
Document Status : Draft 4
29 May, 2002
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
AGRIS/CARIS & Documentation
Document Metadata
Title
Creator
Subject
Description
Publisher
Date
Type
Format
Identifier
Language
Relation
Coverage
Rights
Audience
Agricultural Metadata Element Set (AGMES) Namespace Documentation version 1.1
AGRIS/CARIS & Documentation
Metadata Element Set
Resource description has emerged as a challenge that impedes resource discovery.
The Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI) is an example of such a format
supporting a variety of purposes and business models, therefore becoming an
increasingly popular candidate for use in resource description and primary resource
discovery. In the context of agricultural resources, the elements and qualifiers
supported by DCMI do not suffice and therefore a new set has been compiled.
FAO of the UN
May 2002
Text.Manuscript
application/msword
http://www.fao.org/agris/agmes/Documents/Documents/AgMES-Namespace1.1.doc
English
http://www.fao.org/agris/agmes/Documents/Documents/AgMES-Namespace.doc
FAO of the UN; AGRIS Centres
Information Management institutions; AGRIS Centres
Document Metadata in HTML
<META NAME="DC.Title" CONTENT=" ">
<LINK REL=SCHEMA.dc HREF="http://purl.org/metadata/dublin_core_elements#title">
<META NAME="DC.Subject" CONTENT="">
<LINK REL=SCHEMA.dc HREF="http://purl.org/metadata/dublin_core_elements#subject">
<META NAME="DC.Description" CONTENT=" ">
<LINK REL=SCHEMA.dc HREF="http://purl.org/metadata/dublin_core_elements#description">
<META NAME="DC.Publisher" CONTENT="FAO of the UN">
<LINK REL=SCHEMA.dc HREF="http://purl.org/metadata/dublin_core_elements#publisher">
<META NAME="DC.Date" CONTENT="(SCHEME=ISO8601) 2002-">
<LINK REL=SCHEMA.dc HREF="http://purl.org/metadata/dublin_core_elements#date">
<META NAME="DC.Type" CONTENT="Text.Manuscript">
<LINK REL=SCHEMA.dc HREF="http://purl.org/metadata/dublin_core_elements#type">
<META NAME="DC.Format" CONTENT="(SCHEME=IMT) application/msword">
<LINK REL=SCHEMA.dc HREF="http://purl.org/metadata/dublin_core_elements#format">
<META NAME="DC.Language" CONTENT="English">
<LINK REL=SCHEMA.dc HREF="http://purl.org/metadata/dublin_core_elements#language">
<META NAME="DC.Rights" CONTENT=" FAO of the UN">
<LINK REL=SCHEMA.dc HREF="http://purl.org/metadata/dublin_core_elements#rights">
Document Metadata in XML/RDF
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<rdf:RDF xml:lang="en"
xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#"
xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
>
<rdf:RDF rdf:resource = " ">
<dc:title> </dc:title>
<dc:creator> AGRIS/CARIS Documentation Group </dc:creator>
<dc:subject> </dc:subject>
<dc:description> </dc:description>
<dc:publisher> FAO of the UN </dc:publisher>
<dc:date> 2002-</dc:date>
<dc:type> text.Manuscript </dc:type>
<dc:format> application/msword </dc:format>
<dc:identifier> </dc:identifier>
<dc:language> English </dc:language>
<dc:rights> FAO of the UN <dc:rights>
</rdf:RDF>
Forward
Resource description has emerged as a challenge that impedes resource discovery even though
network technologies have lowered other challenges, such as geographical barriers. This is because
resource discovery varies depending on the structure, type and content of the resource, and with the
interests of the information keepers. Furthermore, complex needs of users require domain specific
information systems to be queried in parallel to enable access to distributed information archives. To
meet such demands, there is a need for a framework that would allow information access regardless
of the above-mentioned barriers.
The Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI) is an example of such a format supporting a variety of
purposes and business models, therefore becoming an increasingly popular candidate for use in
resource description and primary resource discovery. [1] In the context of agricultural resources, the
elements and qualifiers supported by DCMI do not suffice. In light of these additional requirements,
new elements, refinements and schemes have been created.
This document provides an overall view for the Agricultural Metadata Framework. However, it gives
details of only the newly defined terms, that is terms defined by us to complement existing sets, and
provides a overview for its maintenance.
Table of Contents
FORWARD ........................................................................................................................... 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................ 6
1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 7
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
WHAT IS AGMES?................................................................................................ 7
WHAT IS A NAMESPACE? ....................................................................................... 7
SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF THE INITIATIVE ................................................................ 7
METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................... 8
2. DESCRIPTIONS : ELEMENTS, REFINEMENTS AND SCHEMES .................................. 8
2.1 THE METADATA SET .............................................................................................. 8
2.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE METADATA SET ...................................................................10
2.2.1 TITLE .................................................................................................11
2.2.2 CREATOR ...........................................................................................11
2.2.3 PUBLISHER ........................................................................................11
2.2.4 SUBJECT ............................................................................................12
2.2.5 DESCRIPTION .....................................................................................13
2.2.6 DATE .................................................................................................13
2.2.7 TYPE .................................................................................................14
2.2.8 FORMAT .............................................................................................14
2.2.9 IDENTIFIER .........................................................................................15
2.2.10 LANGUAGE .......................................................................................15
2.2.11 RELATION ........................................................................................15
2.2.12 COVERAGE ......................................................................................16
2.2.13 RIGHTS ............................................................................................16
2.2.14 AUDIENCE ........................................................................................16
2.2.15 AVAILABILITY ....................................................................................17
3. VERSION AND AMENDMENT PROCEDURES ..............................................................17
REFERENCE .......................................................................................................................17
APPENDIX A: RDF SCHEMA.............................................................................................18
APPENDIX B: CHANGE TRACKING ..................................................................................18
1. Introduction
The Agricultural Metadata Standards Initiative was launched in November of 2000 at a workshop in
Brussels jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [2] and
OneWorld Europe [3].
As a follow-up to the Brussels workshop, a working group was established which looked into the
applicability of Dublin Core Elements [4] and Qualifiers [5] as a means for describing technical and
scientific information in the area of Agriculture. The unanimous conclusion was that Dublin Core was
indeed an optimal starting point for the Agricultural Metadata Standards Initiative and therefore formed
the basis for the step forward.
A task-force of experts established a specification for the first metadata standard, which is based on
the Dublin Core and complements it with local extensions which were considered necessary for
comprehensive description of Agricultural information.
1.1 What is AgMES?
The Agricultural Metadata Element Set (AgMES) is a proposal to define new metadata elements
required for describing resources in the domain of agriculture. The proposal is mainly based on the
Dublin Core Metadata Element Set (DCMES), however, other standards useful for description of
resources have also been consulted. This document contains documentation on the newly introduced
elements which were deemed important for adequate and accurate description of resources.
The
use of standardized and structured descriptions of resources will not only improve accessibility but
also visibility in a more open environment.
1.2 What is a namespace?
In the context of XML, W3C defines a namespace as "a collection of names, identified by a URI
reference, which are used in XML documents as element types and attribute names." [6] In the
context of this project, namespace defines an authority wherein elements, qualifiers and schemes are
defined. They provide a a unique location from where unambiguous semantics of terms can be
referenced.
1.3 Scope and purpose of the initiative
Each element refers to the resource being described. A resource, here, is defined as "anything that
has identity". In the context of the domain and this study, a resources could be for example,
documents, monographs, Web pages, projects.
The core elements of AgMES describe resources at the upper level. These elements are further
enriched with the use of qualifiers. Qualifiers can take the form of element refinement or encoding
schemes. An element refinement makes the meaning of an element narrower or more precise. An
encoding scheme, on the other hand, is qualifier that identifies schemes that aid in interpretation of the
value of an element. Encoding schemes may include controlled vocabularies, controlled lists, and
formal notations or parsing rules for content of the element. In determining the makeup of these
qualifiers, preference was given to vocabularies, notations, and terms already maintained by
established standards.
As more and more information becomes available on the WWW and the popularity of searching for
information on Web grows, it becomes important to provide easily accessible information. It is
therefore the aim of AgMES and the related application profiles to provide accurate data to search
engines and therefore relevant results to users. The AgMES can help:
 define a low barrier interoperability layer to aid primary resource discovery and to serve as an
exchange format between various systems using different metadata in the domain of agriculture;
 define a richer interoperability layer to aid secondary and tertiary resource discovery through the
use of a qualified element set;
 in the harvesting of metadata from data sources within and beyond the domain of agriculture; and

define elements, refinements and schemes that have not been previously defined but deemed
necessary for the domain resources description
There are many more controlled vocabularies or classification schemes in the domain of agriculture
that are not identified in this document. Suggestions for inclusion of these are welcome.
1.4 Methodology
The strategy and methodology adopted to formulate the primary metadata element set (AgMES)
involved the following steps:
 Development of a conceptual map of the different types of information resources used in
agriculture applications.
 Evaluation of available standards and common resource description practices currently used in
the agricultural as well as other domains.
 Concentrate the initial focus on the description of information resources.
 Develop an element list required for thorough description of resources.
 Document new elements in full details using a well defined set of attributes.
As a result of adopting this strategy and methodology in a participatory manner, with all partners of the
Agricultural Metadata Standards Initiative, a list of thirteen core elements was proposed for description
of agricultural resources. Of these thirteen elements, twelve were already defined in available
metadata sets.
2. Descriptions : Elements, refinements and schemes
2.1 The metadata set
This document is designed to give details of newly defined elements, qualifiers, schemes, and
controlled lists required to describe agricultural resources. For the sake of clarification, all the "used"
as well as the "newly-coined" elements, qualifiers, schemes are shown in the following table. For each
element, qualifiers and schemes; their respective namespaces are indicated in brackets.
Following abbreviations have been used to indicate the namespaces from which the elements have
been taken.
ags
Agricultural Metadata
<http://www.fao.org/agris/agmes>
Element Set (AgMES)
dc
Dublin Core Metadata
Element Set (DCMI)
<http://purl.org/dc/terms >
dc-ed
Dublin Core Education
Application Profile (DCEd)
<http://purl.org/dc/terms>
dcmitype
DCMI Type Vocabulary [7]
<http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/>
agls
Australian Governement
Locator Service (AGLS)
<http://www.naa.gov.au/recordkeeping/gov_online/agls
/cim/cim_manual.html>
It has to be noted here that the 'audience' element has been taken from the Dublin Core Education
Group Proposal. [8] In addition, the encoding schemes shown in the following table are just
recommended schemes and do not limit the use of other schemes.
Table 2.1 : Proposed Element(s) and Qualifiers
Qualifier
Element
Element Refinement(s)
(AGS) Title Supplement
(DC) Title
(DC) Alternative
(AGS) Corporate Author
(AGS) Personal Author
(DC) Creator
(AGS) Conference
(DC) Publisher
(DC) Subject
(AGS) Thesaurus
(DC) Date
(DC) Table Of Contents
(DC) Abstract
(AGS) Notes
(AGS) Edition
(DC) Created
(DC) Valid
(DC) Available
(DC) Issued
(DC) Modified
(DC)Type
(DC) Format
-
(AGS) Place
(AGS) Classification
(DC) Description
Encoding Schemes/
Controlled List
(DC) Extent
(DC) Medium
(DC) Identifier
-
(DC) Language
-
(DC) Relation
(DC) Is Version Of
(DC) Has Version
(DC) Is Replaced By
(DC) Replaces
(DC) Is Required By
(DC) Requires
(DC) Is Part Of
(DC) Has Part
(DC) Is Referenced By
(DC) References
(DC) Is Format Of
(DC) Has Format
(AGS) Is Translation Of
(DC) LCSH
(DC) MeSH
(DC) DDC
(DC) LCC
(DC) UDC
(AGS) ASC
(AGS) CABC
(AGS) AGROVOC
(AGS) CABT
(AGS) ASFA
(AGS) NAL
-
(DC) DCMI Period
(DC) W3C-DTF
(DC) DCMI Type Vocabulary
(AGS) Controlled list
(AGS) Pagination
(AGS) Duration
(AGS) Units
(AGS) Bytes
(DC) IMT
(DC) URI
(AGS) ISSN
(AGS) ISBN
(AGS) Report Number
(AGS) Job Number
(DC) ISO 639-2
(DC) RFC 1766
(DC) URI
(DC) DCMI Point
(DC) ISO 3166
(DC) DCMI Box
(DC) TGN
(DC) DCMI Period
(DC) W3C-DTF
(DC) Spatial
(DC) Coverage
(DC) Temporal
(AGS) Statement
(AGS) Terms of Use
-
(DC) Rights
(DC-ED) Audience
(AGS) Number
(AGLS) Availability
(AGS) Controlled List
(AGS) AN
(AGS) CN
(AGS) Location
2.2 Description of the Metadata Set
This document defines, in detail, all the newly coined elements, qualifiers, schemes and controlled
lists. The definitions are based on the ISO/IEC 11179 standard for the description of metadata
elements. [9] This use of the ISO/IEC 11179 helps improve consistency with other communities and
augments the scope, consistency and transparency of the Agricultural Metadata Element Set.
Ten attributes are used for defining the elements of which all were deemed suitable in meeting our
needs.
Name
Label
Version
Registration
Authority
Language
Definition
:
:
:
:
The unique identifier assigned to the data element.
Label assigned to the data element.
The version of the data element.
The entity authorized to register the data element.
:
:
Obligation
:
Datatype
:
Maximum
Occurrence
Comment
:
The language in which the data element is specified
A statement that clearly represents the concept and essential nature of the
data element
Indicates if the data element is required to always or sometimes be
present (mandatory, optional, conditional)
Indicates the type of data that can be represented in the value of the data
element
Indicates any limit to the repeatability of the data element.
:
A remark concerning the application of the data element.
The terms Name and Label are not as they are in ISO/IEC 11179 and have been modified in this
document to adhere with the terminology currently being used in the XML community which would
therefore facilitate an easy assimilation of this set into the XML and RDF communities.
Since six of the above attributes can be applied globally, they are defined as shown below only once.
Version
Registration Authority
Language
Obligation
Datatype
Maximum Occurrence
:
:
:
:
:
:
1.1
WAICENT, FAO
English
Optional
Character String
Repeatable
2.2.1
Title
The qualifier below is recommended for the (DC) Title element.
Element Refined : Title
Name
Label
Definition
Comments
2.2.2
:
:
:
:
titleSupplement
Title Supplement
Secondary information related to the title.
Creator
The qualifiers below are recommended for the Creator element.
Creator : Element Refined
2.2.3
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
corporateAuthor
Corporate Author
Organization or agency primarily responsible for creating the
intellectual content of the resource.
In some cases, the value may be indicated by an URI linking to the
web page of the corporateAuthor.
personalAuthor
Personal Author
Person primarily responsible for creating the intellectual content of
the resource.
In some cases, the value may be indicated by an URI linking to the
web page of the personalAuthor.
conference
Conference
Conferences are named meetings of individuals or representatives
of various bodies for the purpose of discussing and acting on topics
of common interest, or meetings of representatives of a corporate
body that constitute its legislative or governing body.
In some cases, the value may be indicated by an URI linking to the
web page of the conference.
Publisher
The qualifier below is recommended for the (DC) Publisher element.
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
place
Place
The place of publication of an item is the city, town, or other locality
associated with the name of the publisher entered in the Publisher field.
2.2.4
Subject
The qualifiers below are recommended for the (DC) Subject element.
New Refinement : Classification
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
classification
classification
The systematic arranging into classes (classifying), according to common
characteristics or affinities, things, topics, themes or notions which are the subject
of any branch of science or of a methodical inquiry.
Users have the choice of Scheme to apply.
New Refinement : Thesaurus
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
thesaurus
Thesaurus
A classified list of terms or keywords, in a particular field, for use in indexing and
information retrieval.
The encoding schemes below are recommended for the (AGS) Classification element and (AGS)
Thesaurus elements.
Encoding Schemes for : Classification
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
ASC
AGRIS Subject Categories
Subject categories for indexing of agricultural resources developed
and maintained by FAO.
available at : http://www.fao.org/agris/
CABC
CABI Codes
The main subject headings derived from the classification schemes
used in the AGRICOLA and AGRIS databases, to group resources
in to a specific subject maintained by CAB International.
available at: http://www.cabi-publishing.org/
Encoding Schemes for : Thesaurus
2.2.5
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
AGROVOC
AGROVOC
Multilingual agricultural thesaurus produced by FAO, and used for
indexing and cataloguing.
available at: http://www.fao.org/agrovoc/
CABT
CABI Thesaurus
A controlled vocabulary of terms, especially key words, in
agricultural sciences for use in indexing and information retrieval
created and produced by CAB International.
available at: http://www.cabi-publishing.org/
ASFA
ASFA Thesaurus
A controlled vocabulary of terms, especially key words, in fisheries
for use in indexing and information retrieval created by ASFA
(Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts).
available at: http://www.csa.com/helpV3/ab.html
NAL
NAL Thesaurus
A controlled vocabulary of terms, especially key words, in
agricultural sciences for use in indexing and information retrieval
created by National Agricultural Library (NAL) of United States.
available at: http://agclass.nal.usda.gov/agt/agt.htm
Description
The qualifiers below are recommended for the (DC) Description element.
Element Refined : Description
2.2.6
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
notes
Notes
Brief statement, annotation, comment elucidation concerning any
aspect of resource.
Typically, this would contain information such as illustrations,
tables, references and any other information that is important for
analyzing the resource.
edition
Edition
The formally designated version of the data set or information
resource being described.
Typically, this field should be completed only when an edition
statement appears on the information object.
Date
No new qualifiers or schemes were deemed necessary.
2.2.7
Type
Encoding Schemes for : Type
2.2.8
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
Name
Label
Definition
Comments
:
:
:
:
documentClass
Document class
Indication of distinction between a published resource and a
resource which is not readily available through normal bookselling
channels, and therefore difficult to identify and obtain.
Recommended best practice is to select a value from a list.
Example of documentClass could be publication or non-convetional.
literaryIndicator
Literary indicator
The description of the type of subject matter covered by resource.
Recommended best practice is to select a value from a list.
Examples of literaryIndicator can be Grey Literature, Legislation,
Standard, Bibliography, Summary, Statistical data, Directory,
Thesis.
Format
Encoding Schemes for : Format.Extent
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
pagination
Pagination
The description of the physical makeup of a resource expressed in
numbers of pages or volumes in case of serials.
Typically would include number of pages or volume numbers of a
resource.
Comments
:
Name
Label
Definition
Comments
:
:
:
:
duration
Duration
The extent, length in time of a resource i.e. Film.
Expressed as time.
Name
Label
Definition
Comments
:
:
:
:
units
Units
Number of individual items in the collections.
This is useful when describing at collection level, for ex. 5
microfiche, 3 photos, 2 CDs, 3 volumes, 4 issues.
Name
Label
Definition
Comments
:
:
:
:
bytes
Bytes
Byte size of a digital resource.
Normally expressed at Bytes, Kilo-Bytes (KB), mega-bytes (MB),
giga-bytes (GB)etc.
Controlled list for : Format.Medium
The following is in addition to Internet Media Types, which are Application, Audio, Image, Message,
Model, Multipart, Text, Video.
Name
Label
Definition
Comments
:
:
:
:
print
Print
A resource in printed, typeset lettering on hard copy.
2.2.9
Identifier
The qualifiers below are recommended for the (DC) Identifier element.
2.2.10
Name
Label
Definition
Comments
:
:
:
:
RN
Report Number
A number uniquely identifying a report.
A report is a formal statement of the results of an investigation,
proceedings at a meeting, or of any occurrence, event or matter on
which definite information is required.
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
JN
Job Number
Number allotted to a resource for purposes of identification and
retrieval.
Comments
:
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
MN
microfiche Number
Number uniquely identifying a microfiche, i.e.
photographed in reduced size for viewing on projector
document
ISSN
ISSN
International Standards Serial Number. It is an eight-digit number
which identifies periodical publications as such, including electronic
serials.
http://www.issn.org/
ISBN
ISBN
International Standard Book Number. The ISBN is a unique
machine-readable identification number used to uniquely mark a
book. 159 countries and territories are officially ISBN members.
http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/index.asp
Language
No new qualifiers or schemes were deemed necessary.
2.2.11
Relation
The qualifier below is recommended for the (DC) Relation element.
Name
Label
Definition
Comments
:
:
:
:
istranslationof
is Translation of
The described resource is a translation of the referenced resource.
2.2.12
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
hastranslation
has Translation
The described resource has a translation, namely, the referenced
resource.
Coverage
No new qualifiers or schemes were deemed necessary.
2.2.13
Rights
The qualifiers below are recommended for the (DC) Rights element.
Element Refined : Rights
2.2.14
Name
Label
Definition
Comments
:
:
:
:
statement
Statement
Written assertion of ownership rights relating to resource.
Contains management statement for the resource or references a
service providing such information. Also encompasses Intellectual
Property Rights (IPR).
If the Rights element is absent, no assumptions can be made about
the status of these and other rights with respect to the resource.
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
termsOfUse
Terms of Use
Extent and manner of use permitted to, and restrictions covering
use of resource by the public.
If the Rights element is absent, no assumptions can be made about
the status of these and other rights with respect to the resource.
Audience
The Audience element has been defined in the Dublin Core Education Profile but is currently listed in
RDF as a DC term. [9] In this document we will refer to the term as dc-ed, with respect to its origin.
During coding, the namespace URI would be the same as that of other DC terms.
Following are the possible controlled values for the Audience element. It is preferred that the audience
type is indicated only when it appears on the resource itself.
Controlled Lists : (DC-ED) Audience
* General
* Business Sector
[covers : Private sector]
* Decision Makers
[covers : Policy Planners/Makers (governors, directors)]
* Academic Sector
[covers : Students (vocational/training, Graduates, Post-Graduates,
Researchers/Scientists]
* Funding Agencies
[covers : Governmental, Non-Governmental, Inter-Governmental]
* Information Management institutions
[covers : Libraries, Media/Press]
* Educational Extension Workers
* Agricultural Practitioners
[covers : Farmers (foresters, fishers, agro-foresters)]
2.2.15
Availability
New Refinement : Number
Name
Label
Definition
Comments
:
:
:
:
number
Number
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context.
Recommended best practice is to identify the resource by means of a string or
number conforming to a formal identification system.
Encoding Schemes for : Number
Name
Label
Definition
:
:
:
Comments
:
Name
Label
Definition
Comments
:
:
:
:
AN
Accession Number
Unique number assigned to each record in a database or at an
organization.
Accession number should always be accompanied by the holding
place information.
CN
Call Number
New Refinement : holdingPlace
Name
Label
Definition
Comments
:
:
:
:
location
Location
An unambiguous reference to the location of the resource.
Recommended best practice is to identify location with a stable address.
3. Version and Amendment Procedures
Suggestions for additions, deletions, or amendment are welcomed by the committee. The proper
implementation of those suggestions would depend on its value to the set and with respect to the
implications it would have on the applications already using the set.
The AgMES is expected to be an evolving standard as different areas in the agricultural domain
express their need for a new element, qualifier, scheme or even addition to a controlled list. The
document is also expected to grow and improve as we learn from implementation experiences of this
metadata set, in creating, managing and using of the set.
Since applications will be based or will be utilizing the AgMES, it is deemed important to assure the
capability of old applications to remain valid. It is therefore suggested that once the element set is
finalized, only minor changes or additions be performed when possible. In the future, proper
information should also be provided documenting all the changes performed.
The current version of AgMES will be used by applications for creating application profiles and
therefore any significant changes made the set should take into account the repercussions it would
have on the other applications. Given that AgMES is an evolving standard, it is considered desirable
for applications to record which version of the standard (and indeed which other related standard or
metadata extension set such as the Dublin Core) their metadata complies with.
Reference
[1]
Dublin Core Metadata Initiative
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
http://www.dublincore.org/
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
http://www.fao.org/
One World Europe
http://www.oneworld.org/
The Dublin Core Metadata Element Set Version 1.1
http://www.dublincore.org/documents/dces/
The Dublin Core Qualifiers
http://www.dublincore.org/documents/dcmes-qualifiers/
Namespaces in XML
http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-xml-names/
The Dublin Core Type Vocabulary
http://www.dublincore.org/documents/2000/07/11/dcmi-type-vocabulary/
Dublin Core Education Group
http://www.dublincore.org/groups/education/
ISO/IEC11179, Specification and Standardization of Data Elements, Parts 1-6.
http://www.iso.ch/
http://www.sdct.itl.nist.gov/~ftp/L8/11179/
DCMI Metadata Terms
http://www.dublincore.org/usage/metadata/
Appendix A: RDF Schema
Appendix B: Change tracking
Date : 19 February 02
Attendees : Frehiwot, Gaby , Gauri, Johannes, Kafkas.
Changes made by : Gauri
Changes to AgMES Namespace Draft 1.0
1. Revised the Table 2.1 to contain all the elements that are proposed by DC.
2. Added note on the shown encoding schemes as being recommendations.
3. Removed subject qualifiers (classification and keywords).
Recommendations and standing issues
1. Proceed with the development of AGRIS AP before making further changes to this document.
2. Revise the controlled list values for Audience element.
3. Two proposals for Creator were suggested:
- Add new refinements to the current creator to accommodate data providers, data owners and
data publishers.
- Add Agent as a new element with roles.
4. Issue of URL for the AgMES still needs to be resolved.
Results
Draft version
Date : 13 March 2002
Changes made by : Gauri
Comments received from : Hugo
Changes made to AgMES Namespace Draft 1.1
1.
2.
3.
4.
The previous controlled list for Type was separated into list for Type and List for Format.Medium
Revised the Table 2.1 to contain mediumType Scheme for Format.Medium.
Refined comments on supplementTitle.
Added units and bytes as encoding schemes for Format.Extent.
5. Added ISSN and ISBN as encoding schemes for Identifier.
6. Replaced the current list of controlled list for Audience.
Result
Draft version
Date: 29 May 2002 – 30 May 2002
Comments received from: Irene, Jim, Johannes
Changes made by: Gauri
1. Namespace URI for AgMES documents: <http://www.fao.org/agris/agmes/metadata/1.1/>
2. AGLS Metadata set is available at:
http://www.naa.gov.au/recordkeeping/gov_online/agls/cim/cim_manual.html
3. Deleted qualifier Format.Medium: (AGS) mediumType Vocabulary
4. DC: Publisher is added as a new element
5. Definition of Creator ammended.
6. Subject is re-refined into Thesaurus and Classification.
7. All the Subject schemes are now furnished with source URI’s.
8. AGS:Edition added as a qualifier for DC:Description
9. DC:Type controlled list was replaced by DCMI Type List and added AGS elemements
ags:documentClass and ags:literaryIndicator.
10. AGROVOC is removed as scheme for Coverage.
11. Element Availability has been further qualified to contain refinements Number and Location.
Qualifiers of Number - Accesion number and Call Numbers were replaced by AN and CN.
12. AGS:Conference is added as a refinement for Creator
13. Added links to all non AgMES elements.
Results
Draft version 1.1 sent out for review to our group.