The Chemical Analysis Metadata Platform
This project is focused on defining the important metadata (data about data) needed to describe a chemical analysis methodology. The idea is to evaluate the current and future needs for accurate representation of both classical (wet chemical) and instrumental analysis procedures and present a unified approach to metadata nomenclature, data types, data structures and semantic annotation.
So what does that really mean? Well, in the growing movement toward semantic annotation of science data there is a real need to provide descriptors (metadata) for all parts of science. With the exponential growth in raw data, having descriptors allows researchers a way to easily (we hope) provide context to the work they are doing. So, because the area of chemical analysis is so broad, and that it is likely that many groups will try and create there own standards for contextualizing the area, this project aims to provide an extensible platform that:
- identifies key metadata for chemical analysis
- outlines recommended practices for reporting the metadata
- defines controlled vocabularies for important metadata (e.g. analysis technique, sample matrix)
- defines an ontology for both metadata items and groups of metadata items
Note this project is about defining a platform. It is not, per se, about defining standards (i.e. defining what metadata must be used). However, standards are the application of the ChAMP platform in a particular area, and so we will also link to them once they are developed.
This project is very much a work in progress. It also needs to be defined and critically evaluated by the community and so we encourage you to be part of the process, via the discussion forums on this site, by participation in project conference calls (to be scheduled), through our Facebook page, or by email at the address on the right. And, please vote in our first poll!
For more information on the project look at the overview page linked top right. Stuart and Tony.
The important of metadata is that no string can stand on its own. Everyone “sees” an isolated string from their context, which may or may not match the context in which it was used by its author.
Hence, the opportunity for miss-understanding arises.
Not just in chemical analysis but in all other fields as well.
If you are involved or advising anyone involved in chemical analysis, pass this information along.
I first saw this in a tweet by Analyst.