Iterative Design of Metadata Creation Tools for Resource Authors

Abstract

The National Institute of Environmental Heath Sciences (NIEHS), as part of the Metadata Generation Research Project, is exploring resource authors' abilities for creating acceptable metadata. As part of this work, two different versions of the NIEHS Dublin Core-based metadata generation tool have been tested. An iterative design approach, supported by cognitive walkthroughs, guided the design of the NIEHS metadata application. This paper reports on the design process and on two author surveys that gathered feedback on the usability of both versions of the NIEHS metadata application (Version 1.0 and 2.0). The results show a slight improvement between Version 1.0 and Version 2.0. The paper concludes by summarizing key findings and identifying further research needs specific to author generated metadata tools.