Using the Metadata Standards Directory

This is the source code repository for the prototype metadata directory set up by the Metadata Standards Directory Working Group of the Research Data Alliance.

• Visit the standards
• Visit the extensions
• Visit the tools
• Visit the use cases
• Browse by subject areas

Contributing to the directory

Adding a Standard

Adding a new standard is as simple as forking the repository creating a new standards file marked up with a simple YAML schema, commiting your new standard, and then submitting a pull request to the origin repository. Here is a brief set of instructions you can follow to do this:

1. If you have not done so already, set up a GitHub account.

2. Fork this repository using the button at the top right. It looks like this:
   

3. In your forked copy, navigate to the 'standards' directory. To add a file, use the plus sign that appears after the path at the top of the page:
   

4. Give your file a sensible file name (lowercase, hyphens instead of spaces, ending in a .md extension). For the body of the file, use the template provided. Delete any bits you don't need.

   If you are unfamiliar with YAML syntax, take a look at some of the existing files or the official YAML sample file to get a feel for it.

5. Commit the new file with a message like "Add (standard name)".

6. Press the pull request button when it appears:
   

7. You might be asked to provide a title and description for your pull request. If so, do that and press the new "Create pull request" button.

8. You will then see the discussion page we will use when reviewing your request. You do not have to do anything else.

If you do not have (and do not want) a GitHub account, but you have Git set up on your local machine, you can also submit a standard by cloning the repository locally, committing your changes, and performing a request-pull.

Failing that, you can tell us about standards you would like us to include by opening an issue.

Adding an Extension

By an extension, we mean a profile or other variation of a standard that enhances or extends it to provide additional functionality, or adapts it for use in a particular application or context.

The process for contributing an extension is the same as for standards. The extensions are kept in the 'extensions' directory; please use the template provided.

Adding a Tool

Tools are software tools or systems that support the use of the standard (or an extension of it) or otherwise implement it.

The process for contributing a tool is the same as for standards. The tools are kept in the 'tools' directory; please use the template provided.

Adding a Use Case

By a use case, we specifically mean a repository, data portal, organization, group, or project that uses the standard. This information is intended to give users of the directory an impression of the level of adoption, and indicate possible sources of help using the standard.

The process for contributing a use case is the same as for standards. The use cases are kept in the 'use_cases' directory; please use the template provided.

Additional help with contributing

Creating and editing files in your repository

Collaboration on GitHub

Hosting your own version

The website is generated with Jekyll. The website uses Jekyll to process HTML, YAML, and Markdown files to generate a static website.

If you choose to clone the repository running a local version of Jekyll is helpful for troubleshooting: https://help.github.com/articles/using-jekyll-with-pages