What is Metadata?

The term metadata refers to "data about data" or explanatory notes that describe each Secure IBIS-PH dataset. As a public health professional or researcher, you must apply for and receive a secure login before you can access and search the Secure IBIS-PH datasets. Metadata will help you to know whether or not the dataset will meet your needs before you apply for access. It will also help you better understand the datasets and how to appropriately interpret the data after you have access to the datasets.

What Does Metadata Tell Me?

Metadata contains explanatory notes that answer the following questions:

How was the dataset created?
What variables does the dataset contain?
What variables of the dataset can I search by?
What do these variables measure? What units are used?
What geography is described? What geographic scale is used?
What time period is covered? What time scale is used?
Why was this dataset created?
What are the limitations of the dataset?
How can the data be interpreted?
What additional details should be kept in mind while interpreting the data?
What standards are used to ensure data quality?
How should the data be cited?
Who is the contact person for questions about the data?

How Can I Access Metadata?

Metadata is currently being developed and is expected to be available Fall 2009. When it is available, you can either link to metadata documents by following the links below, or search for metadata in the IBIS-PH system.

• Cancer
• Inpatient Hospital Discharge
• Emergency Department Encounters
• Blood Lead
• Mortality
• Births
• Birth Defects