Audiovisual Resources Metadata: Analysis of Records Originating From Novice Metadata Creators in Kuwait

Abstract

Audiovisual resources available online gain more importance in satisfying users’ information needs, yet the quality of metadata that ensures discoverability of these resources is not yet emphasized, mainly due to lack of benchmark data. This article addresses the need by presenting results of the comparative evaluation of accuracy and completeness of Dublin Core metadata records created by metadata beginners to represent audio recordings and video recordings. We present our findings in the context of how the metadata learning is organized at the program which currently prepares most of those entering the information profession in Kuwait. Findings reveal some similarities, as well as some pronounced differences in metadata accuracy and completeness patterns for two kinds of online digital resources: audio recordings and video recordings. Video metadata was found to be of substantially higher quality than audio metadata created by the same beginners. Overall, for audiovisual information resources, we found the Type metadata field to be the least prone to completeness errors, and Format to accuracy errors. Our data suggests that the Source metadata field is the most vulnerable for accuracy errors in both audio metadata and video metadata. However, Dublin Core metadata fields with the highest possibility of completeness errors did not exhibit overlap between the two sets of beginner-created metadata records. We discuss examples of the most common metadata errors and compare results with findings of previous research. Empirical data obtained in this study allows assessing preparedness of information professionals to create metadata that is functional in supporting resource discovery.

Keywords:

• descriptive metadata
• DCMES 1.1
• quality evaluation
• Kuwait

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.