Data from: Metadata capital in a data repository

This paper reports on a study exploring ‘metadata capital’ acquired via
metadata reuse. Collaborative modeling and content analysis methods were
used to study metadata capital in the Dryad data repository. A sample of
20 cases for two Dryad metadata workflows (Case A and Case B) consisting
of 100 instantiations (60 metadata objects, 40 metadata activities) was
analyzed. Results indicate that Dryad’s overall workflow builds metadata
capital, with the total metadata reuse at 50% or greater for 8 of 12
metadata properties, and 5 of these 8 properties showing reuse at 80% or
higher. Metadata reuse is frequent for basic bibliographic properties
(e.g., author, title, subject), although it is limited or absent for more
complex scientific properties (e.g., taxon, spatial, and temporal
information). This paper provides background context, reports the research
approach and findings, and considers research implications and system
design priorities that may contribute to metadata capital—long term.