The new SDMX glossary New Central Reference Point for SDMX Terminology

Transcription

1 The new SDMX glossary New Central Reference Point for SDMX Terminology SISAI-Metadata Working Group meeting 2015 Item 11.2 of the agenda Danny DELCAMBRE B5 Central Data and Metadata Services

2 Background The SDMX Metadata Common Vocabulary (MCV) was published in January 2009 as part of the SDMX Content-Oriented Guidelines (COG) Basic philosophy: Set of concepts and related definitions used in structural and reference metadata of nat. and internat. statistical organisations To recommend a common terminology for improving communication and understanding Main problem faced when developed Not much practical experience in terms of use and implementation Governance and ownership not very well defined In 2014, based on experience and use cases gained, the uptick in SDMX adoption, and the newly-defined SDMX working groups, it was decided to review the Metadata Common Vocabulary 2

3 Why revise? Glossary should be restricted to SDMX-specific terminology and concepts The SDMX glossary should be the sole repository for SDMX terminology A separate glossary should deal with non-sdmx terms New SDMX methodological material has been made available since 2009 Clarifications, corrections, improvements, harmonisation, etc. needed Relevant governance and ownership in place for future revisions: Relevant SDMX SWG ownership Possible governance and revision charter SISAI-Metadata Working Group meeting

4 Why do we need an SDMX Glossary? Common and harmonised language for building and understanding SDMX data exchange arrangements of statistical organisations In short 1. if a term is used, then its precise meaning should correspond to the SDMX Glossary definition; 2. any reference to a particular phenomenon described in the SDMX Glossary should use the appropriate term A reference tool for using and mapping terminology found in SDMX data structure definitions (DSDs), code lists and other SDMX artefacts Single entry point to a common SDMX terminology to facilitate communication and understanding A tool and standard for modernising the statistical industry, and relevant to the strategy of the UNECE Modernisation Committee on Standards SISAI-Metadata Working Group meeting

5 What does glossary mean? Semantic relationships with other concepts Broad Term (BT) : Animal Narrow Term (NT) : Angora, Chartreux, etc. Related Term (RT) : Wildcat The "terminology layers" (Simplified model) DESIGNATION Neutral: scientific name (Felis silvestris catus) mathematical formula picture etc. Linguistic: cat котка γάτα etc. DESCRIPTION A cat is a small four - legged furry animal with claws and whiskers, kept as a pet. SOURCE Harrap's Essential English Dictionary, 1995 DETAIL SISAI-Metadata Working Group meeting

6 How is the Glossary organised? * * * * = Mandatory information SISAI-Metadata Working Group meeting

7 Methodological principles A concept should be included in the glossary only if it is used in the general context of SDMX Concept used in the SDMX implementation model should be included in the Glossary Concepts used in the reference metadata frameworks of the SDMX sponsor organisations (e.g. "Institutional mandate", "Sector coverage") should be covered by the glossary All definitions to be accompanied with explanatory information (field called context) No technicalities in the "Definition" and "Context" fields. Implementers are referred to the SDMX technical documentation Definitions are "generic", i.e. they are not linked to a specific version of the technical standard SISAI-Metadata Working Group meeting

8 Revision process In March 2014 an ad hoc Task Force made of members of the SDMX Statistical Working Group (SWG), SDMX Technical Working Group (TWG), and other metadata/sdmx experts was set up The input documents were: The 2009 (current) MCV An initial proposal for discussion to remove and add relevant terms from the 2009 MCV -> the SDMX Glossary v0.1 A glossary of SDMX technical terms provided by the TWG A 2009 mapping of IMF, Eurostat, OECD and SDMX ref. metadata terms This document was reviewed through about 25 "sprint" exercises. A consolidated document was prepared and reviewed through further "sprint" exercises The Glossary is now in its finalisation stage. When finalised it will be submitted to the SWG, the TWG and the SDMX Secretariat for discussion and formal adoption Last step will be official publication SISAI-Metadata Working Group meeting

9 Dissemination The SDMX Glossary will be made publicly available in various forms (the list of which is not yet decided): As a concept scheme stored in the SDMX Global Registry As a hardcopy made available on and/or UNECE web pages dedicated to the Modernisation Committee on Standards As a subset of the CODED (COncepts and DEfinitions Database) database maintained by Eurostat Other channels? SISAI-Metadata Working Group meeting

10 Lessons learned Main lesson learned Building/revising a glossary is a resource-intensive task So if you plan to embark in such an exercise, take this into account! SISAI-Metadata Working Group meeting

11 Dissemination THANK YOU! SISAI-Metadata Working Group meeting