The CARL metadata harvester and search service

Abstract

Purpose - To explain the background, functionality, and content of the CARL metadata harvester and search service, http://carl-abrc-oai.lib.sfu.ca/, and to outline plans for improving the service. Design/methodology/approach - This case study employs simple statistical analyses to a set of harvested metadata. Findings - This paper documents the use of unqualified Dublin Core (uDC) elements in the metadata harvested from the repositories participating in the CARL harvester, and identifies patterns in the use of that metadata. It also compares these findings with a similar study, and identifies areas for further research. Research limitations/implica tions - This paper is limited to discussion of the characteristics of a relatively small set of metadata collected using the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting. However, analyses reveal some patterns in the use of this metadata that are valuable in the development of best practices for repository implementers. Practical implications - This paper documents the use of uDC elements by a specific community. Its findings will form a basis for developing mechanisms for improving the effectiveness of the metadata generated by that community and therefore the services built around that metadata. Originality/value - While there are several other studies that take an approach similar to that taken in this paper, no one has yet studied this specific data set. More generally, this paper contributes a valuable case study to research on the implementation of the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.