Information Flow
Notes:
The user describes their requirement for data using keywords from any of a set of taxonomies. Hopefully, at least one is familiar to them. A query in the database links the keywords to the JMCDM and USIGS, resulting in a list of DDDS attributes. These attributes are used to search the MEL metadata.
The search works because the MEL metadata has fields for entity and attribute information. The MEL metadata profile recommends that producers populate these fields with data elements from the DDDS, resulting in precise matches with the generated query terms. (Alternatively, mappings could be done to a different “standard taxonomy.”)
The LINK table establishes a many-to-many mapping between the user keywords and the DDDS attributes. This is the “intelligence” behind the tool. The initial building of these links is time consuming, but the result is very beneficial.
Additional dictionaries can be added but must first be mapped to the DDDS. Local dictionaries could be built in by a user, as long as the mapping is done. If gaps are found in the JMCDM or USIGS, additional search words could be added and then flagged for submission for FDAd (functional data administrator) standardization.