Pre-requisites:
- Intro to Spaital Data
- QGIS installation
Objectives:
- Understanding purpose of metadata
- Recognizing elements included in spatial metadata
Data about data
Metadata is easily overlooked, but can be critical when data is downloaded from an unfamiliar source. Metadata helps you understand the accuracy and content of your data.
Understanding the data you’ve just gathered
Metadata (should) explain the critical elements of the data you have compiled or gathered. Some of these include how it was collected, accuracy of the data, when it was collected, and any limitations or possible errors. Good metadata adds credibility to a downloaded dataset. Having a positive attitude about metadata will help you produce well documented data that can be properly utilized by others in the future. A key to good metadata is thinking about what you think the next owner of the data should know about the dataset.
The importance of spatial data metadata
Spatial data without metadata can be tricky, especially if the data is missing projection data. Many data formats hold projection information in an external projection file which can be easily forgotten. If you don’t know the projection of a dataset, you should not use the data in your analysis.
Metadata in QGIS
Below is an example of raster metadata (DEM) in QGIS.
What do you think was used to create this DEM?
Raster Statistics have been computed.
What are dimensions of this raster?
What is a Data Type? What is a 16 bit signed integer?
Can you locate the Spatial Reference System? What is the SRS?
How many bands does this raster have?
Just a few things to consider each time you open a raster dataset.
