Paradata Defined

• Captures usage data about a resource (e.g. downloaded, favorited, rated)
• Allows usage data to be designated by audience, subject or education level

XML Schema Information

NOTE: this information is required to make this metadata format work in the jOAI application:

• schema: http://ns.nsdl.org/ncs/comm_para/1.00/schemas/comm_para.xsd
• namespace: http://ns.nsdl.org/ncs/comm_para
• format name: comm_para

NOTE: schema information is always the most accurate information; it supersedes any documentation

Sample Records in XML

• Paradata for the Capacity of Planets (in comm_para)
• Resource metadata for the Capacity of Planets (in nsdl_dc)
• Capacity of Planets resource

Create Item-level Paradata for NSDL

• Know the URL of the resource in NSDL that you are connecting paradata to
• Determine the type of usage data being shared (integer, string, rank, vote or rating).
  • Currently the NSDL can only display integer paradata at this time. Any non-integer fields that are used will not be displayed
• Understand the differences between the data types
  • Integer: indicates the number of times for something
  • String: is text (note, remark, keywords) to associate with a resource
  • Rank: position in a hierarchy
  • Rating: number of times rated on a scale
  • Vote: thumbs up/down indication
• Determine the kind of data within each type (e.g. viewed, favorited for integer data)
• Determine if usage data is summative from X point forward or applies to only a certain time period like a week
  • NOTE: Currently the NSDL can only display summative data from X point forward (i.e. a running total)
• Determine if you want to sort usage data by audience, ed level, subject or no sorting
  • Currently the NSDL cannot sort by audience, ed level or subject
• Understand the controlled vocabularies (choices) associated with each data type
  • Integer choices (controlled vcoabulary)
  • String choices (controlled vocabulary)
  • Rank choices (controlled vocabulary)
  • Rating choices (controlled vocabulary)
  • Vote choices (controlled vocabulary)

NSDL Requirements for a Paradata Collection

• Provide item-level metadata in the comm_para metadata format as described above
• Share you item-level metadata with the NSDL via one of these methods:
  • Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH)
    • If you need OAI software, consider the NSDL supported jOAI software
    • Know OAI base URL and OAI set (if set is applicable) and send to NSDL
  • NCS (NSDL Collection System)
    • Indicated collection name
• Provide NSDL the following collection-level metadata
  • Make a collection logo that is no larger than 100 pixels wide by 30 pixels tall
  • Determine a name for your collection
  • Provide a description for your collection
  • Provide name and emails for the collection contacts (responsible party and technical person)
  • URL home the collection (if any)
  • Education level of the collection
  • Audience
  • Rights and access rights information
• See the Paradata Metadata Rubric for more information about required metadata fields
• Send the above information to NSDL collections