An analysis of evolving metadata influences, standards, and practices in electronic theses and dissertations

Abstract

This study seeks to raise awareness of divergences between current practices and metadata standards and guidelines for electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs). We use a multifaceted approach to consider the philosophies that have guided the design of several metadata standards, offering a close case study focused on efforts by the Texas Digital Library to forge a common standard. Analysis is rooted in literatures on metadata quality, shareable or federated metadata, and interoperability, with attention to the impact of systems, tools, and practices on ETD date metadata. This examination of semantic interoperability issues serves as an articulation of the need for a more robust ideal moving forward, rooted in lifecycle models of metadata and concerned with the long-term curation and preservation of ETDs.