Functional Requirements of Metadata System: From User Needs Perspective

Abstract

This paper aims to construct a common set of functional requirements for metadata systems based on the research of metadata system specifications at the National Digital Archives Program (NDAP) in Taiwan. Eight projects of the NDAP are chosen as a case study to examine the functional requirements of metadata systems across museums, libraries, archives, and herbaria communities. To enable deeper analysis of functional requirements, interviewing and system prototyping are also employed. The study concludes with four findings for metadata system functions and proposes two recommendations, including (1) a set of recommendations for content experts, metadata professionals, and system designers to develop a clear and appropriate metadata system; and (2) the spectrum of functional requirements for metadata system design and testing.