Organisation and description of datasets

Abstract

Through the exploration of the websites and catalogues of a number of national archives and dataset repositories, this article identifies the similarities and differences between the knowledge organisation methods of national archives and those of dataset repositories, and finds that dataset repositories use more specialised metadata standards and support more flexible knowledge organisation and easier data access and use. Based on the findings, the author discusses some possible approaches that archival institutions can take to improve data description and support better data discovery and use.