Post on 04-Jan-2016
UKOLN is supported by:
QA for Collection-Level DescriptionAnn Chapman and Bridget Robinson
Collection Description Focus
A centre of expertise in digital information management
www.ukoln.ac.uk
Where are we …….
• Morning session focused on:– What is a collection?– Need for collection level descriptions– Format to hold collection level data
• This session focuses on:– Ensuring quality of data – Ensuring quality of application
Why collection description?
• Interest in collections as well as items– From collections to items– From items to collections
• Using resources of varying types
• Using resources across sectors
• Using resources across domains
Collection description data
• Using a format – RSLP schema ‘de facto’ standard
• Consistent data collected– Users can predict information held– Machine-to-machine exchange
• Support searching– Consistent terms used
QA and Format
• RSLP schema
• Variation– Added elements– Unused elements– Modified elements
• Label changes• Sub-divided elements
QA and terminology
• Choice of sets of terms– User type (research, study, interest)– User age group (children, teens, adults)– Focus of collection description database
• Subject• Objects• Time or Place
– Format or resource types
QA and editorial control
• Can anyone create records?
• Should records be assessed/edited?– Who assesses/edits?
• Guidelines for record creation– Text– Use of chosen term sets– Data for specific elements
QA to support the user
• Users may have physical and / or sensory impairment– Speech synthesisers read out labels as
well as data in fields– Consistent order of data will help
• User Eligibility, Charges, Restrictions
• English may not be first language of user
QA planning
• QA relates to:– Data– Software
• Build QA into early planning
• Document decisions
• Train record creators
• Create guideline documents
Standards in language and terminology
• Use of a standard terminology set e.g. LCSH
• Use of authority control files – Geographic names– Organisation/personal names
• Use of ISO630 language codes
Standards in free-text fields
• Clear documentation/guidelines on– Consistent wording e.g. collection strength– Use of neutral language– Length of free-text fields– Ordering of information
Accessibility
• Special Educational Needs & Disability Act (SENDA) 2001
• Audience
• Language
• Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)• vischeck tool - http://www.vischeck.com/