Some spatial data producers suggest that creating and maintaining metadata is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Furthermore, strong compliance with the IDI policy requires solid collaboration among the spatial data community.
INTRODUCTION
- B ACKGROUND
- P ROBLEM S TATEMENT
- R ESEARCH A IM AND O BJECTIVES
- Aim
- Objectives
- R ESEARCH QUESTIONS
- S TUDY D ESIGN
- T HESIS S TRUCTURE
Importantly, the causes and outcomes of metadata problems were based on the experience of spatial data producers and users. A sample of the study population was selected from the South Africa Spatial Data Community.
LITERATURE REVIEW
I NTRODUCTION
S PATIAL D ATA I NFRASTRUCTURE C ONCEPTS
Coleman and McLaughlin (1998) as cited by Rajabifard et al. 2003), explains infrastructure as (i) people, (ii) laws and (iii) the education to use systems. As mentioned by Coleman and McLaughlin (1998), cited in Rajabifard et al. 2003), however, the infrastructure also includes the highway laws, driver's licenses, gas stations, the people who cut the grass along the highways, and all other supporting systems.
SDI C OMPONENTS
- Spatial Data
- People
- Institutional Frameworks
- Technology
- Standards
Spatial data software can store, manage and analyze data sets in digital form (Rajabifard et al., 2003). The people involved in the establishment of SDI are: spatial data producers, custodians, users and value-adding agents (Chan et al., 2001).
M ETADATA
- Metadata Description
- General Metadata Standards
- Metadata Importance
- Metadata Problems
- Metadata Incentives
Eagleson and Escobar (2003) identify standards as guidelines that enable efficient and up-to-date use of spatial data. Therefore, standardized metadata can make it easier for the geographic data community to interpret data in similar terms. There are three internationally recognized standardization initiatives for geodata which aim to promote standards and use of metadata (Taylor, 2004, Woldai, 2002).
Therefore, metadata can channel consumers of spatial data to decide how best to use data (Nebert, 2004). Batcheller (2008) reports that much of the spatial data community complains that creating metadata is a tedious, time-consuming process. The spatial data community suggested that this was because documentation of spatial datasets is a manual process.
S OUTH A FRICAN SDI O VERVIEW
- The National Spatial Data Framework (NSIF)
- South Africa Framework Datasets
- The SASDI Metadata
Ensure the recording and publication of the metadata and the development of an electronic metadata catalogue; Following planned workshops, the South African spatial data community identified the framework datasets and their producers/operators, summarized in Table 2.3. According to Thabethe (2008b), the framework datasets in the SASDI context provide a basis for applying other themes and linking geographical attributes.
Additionally, framework datasets can act as reference points for overlaying datasets produced elsewhere. The SMDF aims to improve accessibility of spatial data by enabling the data community to publish their own metadata and query data published by others (Osei, n.d.). However, one of the main challenges facing NSIF is getting custodians and other people to capture, update and standardize their data (Thabethe, 2008b, UNECA, 2004b).
C ONCLUSION
In accordance with the SDI Act, producers and custodians are required to publish their metadata and ensure that it is included in the electronic metadata catalog (clearinghouse). Furthermore, in 1998, the NSIF technical framework team implemented the Spatial Metadata Discovery Facility (SMDF), previously called the Spatial Data Discovery Facility (SDDF) (Thabethe, 2008a, pers. comm.). As a result, a user can easily understand what the data is about without spending time retrieving the missing information.
According to previous research findings, some organizations have raised concerns about the use of metadata. Therefore, it is important to educate the spatial data community about the benefits of metadata and increase awareness of its importance. It has been noted that producers and custodians of spatial data are reluctant to comply with the IDI Act in terms of developing and maintaining their own metadata.
METHODOLOGY
- C ONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
- D ATA COLLECTION METHODS
- Primary data collection
- Secondary data collection
- D ATA A NALYSIS
- P ROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
- C ONCLUSION
Selection of the sample group, both producers and users, were identified through the NSIF. Therefore, the respondents from the selected organizations may have the relevant information required for the research questionnaires. Interestingly, three of the respondents expressed interest in the research topic and requested a detailed discussion on metadata issues.
As a result, not all metadata for the different framework datasets are included in the comparative analysis. This chapter highlighted the conceptual framework, data collection methods, and data analysis used for the study. The conceptual framework formed the basis of the research problem with a focus on answering the research questions.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
I NTRODUCTION
S PATIAL DATA USERS AND MEANS TO ACCESS DATA
- Spatial data users
- Partnership with other institutions/organizations
- Data access system
- Producer experiences in access conditions
- User experiences in access conditions
Furthermore, the 14 data producers were asked if they have any partnership with other institutions or organizations involved in the spatial data sector. A further survey was channeled to the 10 producers on the basis of cooperation with other organizations involved in the spatial data sector. Furthermore, in the conversation conducted with one of the producers, their company regularly exchanges spatial data with other well-known small spatial data companies.
The results presented on funding (figure 4.2) can assume that South Africa has few donors of spatial data. The different users of spatial data in the 8 categories shown in figure 4.1 access their data either through restrictions, non-restrictions, authorizations or through restrictions and authorization (figure 4.3). However, it is noted that charges for private users may depend on the institution and the type of spatial data requested.
M ETADATA MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
- M ETADATA MAINTENANCE SKILLS PERSONNEL
- Metadata human resource qualification
- Metadata currency
Nevertheless, one of the public sector producer respondents realized that metadata trained personnel were not enough. Interestingly, none of the private sector producer respondents complained about the unavailability of skilled personnel for metadata maintenance. One of the public sector respondents stated that their department usually hires private consultants to maintain their metadata.
Nevertheless, half (7) of the producers in the figure above stated that their metadata development and maintenance staff required a GIS degree. The results in Figure 4.8 show that four of the respondents have regularly updated their metadata in less than three months. The table below shows a cross-tabulation of the availability of metadata-trained personnel and the metadata update rate.
Metadata standard inconsistencies
It was noted that FGDC is the main metadata standard for the framework datasets in table 4.2. The digital orthophoto images applied the 1.0 1998 FGDC CSDGM version, while the other frame datasets represented the 1.0 June 1994 version. Furthermore, if FGDC standard was commonly used for all framework datasets (depicted in the NSIF web page), assumptions could be that most framework dataset producers used FGDC standard.
This is because the metadata creation dates for the 8 framework datasets ranged from late 1997 to early 1999. Therefore, it is highly likely not only for land cover but also for other framework datasets that their metadata content may be outdated. In general, the freely available metadata framework datasets from the NSIF website appear to represent an update gap.
M ETADATA MAINTENANCE CONSTRAINTS
- Metadata problems experienced by data producers
- Users encountering problems with acquired data
- Suggestions on metadata improvements
For example, one of the producers emphasized that there is a shortage of good GIS experts in the public sector. According to some experts, metadata standards are considered overwhelming due to the large number of elements. However, Osei (n.d.) highlighted that the NSIF had been experiencing challenges with the functionality of the SMDF in recent years due to staff turnover.
Thus, these may be some influencing factors that cause incomplete metadata for their datasets. In addition, Article 12 (2) of the SDI Act states that "the data controller must ensure that the metadata is available to users". Therefore, metadata maintenance officers must be aware of the common metadata fields that are most relevant to data users.
C ONCLUSION
However, there is still the issue of replacing GIS experts in the public sector to take on this role. A few manufacturer respondents admitted to a lack of knowledge about metadata capture and maintenance. It is suggested that data suppliers be encouraged to maintain their data with full metadata documentation.
NSIF was reported to be in the process of officially launching an electronic metadata catalog. Equally important was the emphasis on the compliance of the spatial data community with the SDI policy. However, it is imperative that NSIF conducts an awareness campaign on the new operation of SMDF standards, SDI in general and SASDI metadata standards.
FINAL CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
F INAL C ONCLUSION
To promote effective data documentation, a metadata standard commonly recognized by the geodata community should be adopted. Therefore, all participants as providers of geographic data must adopt the metadata standard appropriate for the clearinghouse. This indicates that the level of compliance with the SDI policy is underdeveloped in the geographic data community.
In addition, decision makers and other data users can rely on the framework datasets for further exploration of spatial data. It is assumed that producers and users of spatial data are not aware of the benefits of metadata to a certain extent. In addition, the perception of metadata problems could encourage spatial data managers to give metadata management a low priority compared to other activities.
L IMITATIONS
Framework data sets are part of national implementation, important for the realization of socio-economic and environmental developments. As base maps for other datasets, framework datasets should refer to common spatial reference systems. Partly for the above reasons, it is of central importance that the metadata of the framework dataset maintain good quality and be continuously updated.
Gained knowledge about metadata benefits can lead users to demand better data that includes metadata. Time constraints also did not allow for face-to-face interviews due to the distances where some respondents were based.
R ECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SPATIAL DATA PRODUCERS AND USERS
Developing geographic data infrastructures: from concept to reality. 2007) Determining the Basic Geospatial Datasets for Africa through a User Needs Analysis Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. 'How to assess the success of National Spatial Data Infrastructures?' Computers, environment and urban systems. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems GIS Worlds: Creating Spatial Data Infrastructures, Redlands, California, ESRI Press.
Lack of Geospatial Data Copyright Protection and Accountability: Can Malawi Really Afford It? 2004) Developing Spatial Data Infrastructure: The SDI Cookbook. 2007) Metadata Models and Standards for Kenya's National Spatial Data Infrastructure: A Case Study of 12 Government Ministries. The SDI in the South African context”. 2008) 'Awareness as a foundation for developing effective spatial data infrastructure'.
The location of all landfills for solid waste (municipal and private) throughout Unicity (general and garden waste), whether they are open or closed, rehabilitated or not, and even those that are only planned - as in August. It contains a general and detailed description of the mapped nature types and provides some guidance. Contains the location of all cathodic protection cables related to steel water mains, NB NB this data set can be added to all plots to show the position of.
Cp_Pnts Contains the position of all cathodic protection test posts, cross bonds, blue bonds and m-points. Contains the GPS position for e.g. Ethekwini Water Services Installations (offices, depots, payment points, .reservoirs, pumping stations, etc.).
