Resources.data.gov has replaced Project Open Data.

On January 14, 2019, the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act ("Evidence Act"), which includes the OPEN Government Data Act, was signed into law. The Evidence Act requires the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Government Information Services, and the General Services Administration to develop and maintain an online repository (Resources.data.gov) of tools, best practices, and schema standards to facilitate the adoption of open data practices across the Federal Government.

Archived content of Project Open Data can be accessed at its GitHub repository. You can report missing content or provide any additional feedback via GitHub or by emailing datagov@gsa.gov.

Metadata Resources for Schema v1.1

This section provides further background and resources to assist agencies in implementing the Project Open Data Metadata Schema v1.1.

In addition to template and sample files we also produce Project Open Data Metadata schema in JSON schema format. JSON schema describes a JSON data format. It can be used to automatically validate Data.json files and to generate forms for creating JSON.

Terms and Abbreviations

JSON Schema Files

JSON-LD Context

Sample Data Files

Use Cases

Starting from a spreadsheet

Some agencies may initially build or maintain data catalogs through large spreadsheets. In order to then generate a data.json file from this, simply import the spreadsheet (in the form of a CSV file) into the CSV Converter, translate the metadata as needed, and then generate an appropriately formatted JSON file.

Utilizing CKAN

CKAN is a popular, open-source data catalog that can be installed independently or run as a service. Even if an agency hasn’t begun a data catalog, adopting CKAN can provide a robust and feature-rich solution with which to begin maintaining an internal or external catalog. In addition to providing an effective means of organizing the agency’s data catalog, CKAN provides several opportunities for generating the needed data.json file. See the ckanext-datajson and USMetadata extensions.

Using Socrata

Socrata is a popular, open data catalog that is run as a service. Agencies that have not adapted a data catalog yet, can use Socrata without having to install or setup any servers or software. In addition to providing rich visualizations and data management features, Socrata natively supports data.json so any datasets managed through Socrata will be automatically exposed correctly. Socrata also supports all the extended metadata fields through it’s extensible metadata features.

Manual translating a data file from another system

Agencies may also manage their data catalogs through various database solutions such as Access, an asset management system, document management system, geoportal, or assorted proprietary systems. Regardless of which system an agency employs, it should include a fundamental export option which allows the catalog to be exported as a CSV file, which can then be imported into the CSV Converter for conversation to an appropriately formatted JSON file. Depending on the solutions’ varied further functionality, some of them may also provide APIs which can then be configured to maintain the data.json file. If not, they may instead support XML and JSON exports, which can then be converted to the proper format.

Convert from CSV to JSON

In order to generate appropriately formatted JSON, simply import an appropriately formatted CSV into the CSV Converter, ensure that the metadata fields line up, and re-export the file.

Schema Object Model Diagram

Schema Diagram

Field Mappings

Catalog Fields

Label POD v1.1 POD v1.0 CKAN API DCAT Schema.org
Metadata Context @context n/a n/a n/a n/a
Metadata Catalog ID @id n/a n/a n/a n/a
Metadata Type @type n/a n/a n/a itemtype attribute
Schema Version conformsTo n/a n/a n/a n/a
Schema URL describedBy n/a n/a n/a n/a
Dataset dataset n/a results dct:dataset dataset

Dataset Fields

Note the mapping for license and rights from Project Open Data to DCAT applies the fields from the Dataset object in Project Open Data to each of the Distribution objects in DCAT.

Label POD v1.1 POD v1.0 CKAN API DCAT Schema.org
Metadata Type @type n/a n/a n/a itemtype attribute
Title title title title dct:title name
Description description description notes dct:description description
Tags keyword keyword tags dcat:keyword keywords
Last Update modified modified n/a dct:modified dateModified
Publisher publisher → name publisher organizationtitle dct:publisherfoaf:name publisherOrganization:name
Publisher Parent Organization publisher → subOrganizationOf n/a n/a dct:publisherorg:subOrganizationOf publisherOrganization:memberOf
Contact Name contactPoint → fn contactPoint maintainer dcat:contactPointvcard:fn providerPerson:name
Contact Email contactPoint → hasEmail mbox maintainer_email dcat:contactPointvcard:hasEmail providerPerson:email
Unique Identifier identifier identifier id dct:identifier n/a
Public Access Level accessLevel accessLevel n/a n/a n/a
Bureau Code bureauCode bureauCode n/a n/a n/a
Program Code programCode programCode n/a n/a n/a
Distribution distribution distribution resources dcat:distribution distribution
License license license license_title dct:license license
Rights rights accessLevelComment n/a dct:rights n/a
Endpoint Removed webService resourcesurl dcat:accessURL n/a
Spatial spatial spatial n/a dct:spatial spatial
Temporal temporal temporal n/a dct:temporal temporal
Release Date issued issued n/a dct:issued datePublished
Frequency accrualPeriodicity accrualPeriodicity n/a dct:accrualPeriodicity n/a
Language language language n/a dct:language inLanguage
Data Quality dataQuality dataQuality n/a n/a n/a
Category theme theme groups dcat:theme about
Related Documents references references n/a dct:references n/a
Homepage URL landingPage landingPage n/a dcat:landingPage url
Collection isPartOf n/a   n/a isPartOf
System of Records systemOfRecords systemOfRecords n/a n/a n/a
Primary IT Investment primaryITInvestmentUII primaryITInvestmentUII   n/a n/a
Data Dictionary describedBy dataDictionary n/a n/a n/a
Data Dictionary Type describedByType n/a   n/a n/a
Data Standard conformsTo n/a   n/a n/a

Dataset Distribution Fields

Label POD v1.1 POD v1.0 CKAN API DCAT Schema.org
Metadata Type @type n/a n/a n/a itemtype attribute
Download URL downloadURL accessURL resourcesurl dcat:downloadURL contentUrl
Access URL accessURL n/a resourcesurl dcat:accessURL contentUrl
Media Type mediaType format resourcesmimetype dcat:mediaType n/a
Format format n/a resourcesformat dct:format encodingFormat
Title title n/a resourcesname dct:title name
Description description n/a resourcesdescription dct:description description
Data Dictionary describedBy n/a   n/a n/a
Data Dictionary Type describedByType n/a   n/a n/a
Data Standard conformsTo n/a   n/a n/a

Crosswalks for Geospatial Metadata

FGDC member agencies developed these crosswalks as a standardized resource for use by agencies in creating their Project Open Data metadata schema v1.1 (data.json) records. The crosswalks are intended as a reference model for the development of strategies and applications that support the conversion of existing geospatial metadata to the Project Open Data metadata schema v1.1.

The crosswalks will be periodically updated to address user comments and revisions to the source metadata standards. Users are asked to add their own information about strategies, applications, and other products generated using these crosswalks. Problems or suggestions can be submitted by creating a new issue or improvements can be proposed directly following the guidelines for contributing.

Since the Project Open Data Metadata Schema v1.1 is also a JSON and JSON-LD serialization of DCAT. Others working with transforms between ISO 19115 and DCAT may also be interested in this crosswalk.

CSDGM to Project Open Data Metadata Schema v1.1 (POD v1.1) Crosswalk

POD v1.1 Label Condition Repeats CSDGM Field CSDGM xpath Guidance
Catalog Fields            
conformsTo Schema Version required No Populated by Agency Enterprise Inventory Application
dataset Dataset required Yes Populated by Agency Enterprise Inventory Application
Dataset Fields            
title Title required No title metadata>idinfo>citation>citeinfo>title  
description Description required No abstract metadata>idinfo>descript>abstract  
keyword Tags required Yes keywords (theme, place, stratum, temporal) add to:Keyword (any type) = geospatial metadata>idinfo>keywords>theme>themekey & metadata>idinfo>keywords>place>placekeymetadata>idinfo>keywords>stratum>stratkeymetadata>idinfo>keywords>temporal>tempkey Compile values from Theme, Place, Stratum, and Temporal Keywords, e.g. vegetation, Gulf Coast, Hurricane Katrina
modified Last Update required No publication date metadata>idinfo>citation>citeinfo>pubdate if non-date value, e.g. ‘unknown’ ‘unpublished’ then metadata>metainfo>metd If date lacks day (DD) values, eg. YYYYMM (201501), add a dash between the year and month (2015-01)
publisher>name Publisher Name required No publisher
if null distributor name
if null originator
metadata>idinfo>citation>citeinfo>pubinfo>publish if null then metadata>distinfo>distrib>cntinfo>cntorgp>cntorg & metadata>distinfo>distrib>cntinfo>cntorgp>cntper if null then metadata>distinfo>distrib>cntinfo>cntperp>cntorg & metadata>distinfo>distrib>cntinfo>cntperp>cntper if null then metadata>idinfo>citation>citeinfo>origin If Distributor Contact used compile Organization Name and Person Name if both in CSDGM record, e.g. USGS, Mark Markson
contactPoint>fn Contact Name required No point of contact person name & organization name. if null, metadata contact person name and organization name metadata>idinfo>ptcontac>cntinfo>cntorgp>cntorg & metadata>idinfo>ptcontac>cntinfo>cntorgp>cntper if null then metadata>idinfo>ptcontac>cntinfo>cntperp>cntorg & metadata>idinfo>ptcontac>cntinfo>cntperp>cntper if null then metadata>metainfo>metc>cntinfo>cntorgp>cntorg & metadata>metainfo>metc>cntinfo>cntorgp>cntper if null then metadata>metainfo>metc>cntinfo>cntperp>cntorgr & metadata>metainfo>metc>cntinfo>cntperp>cntpper Compile Organization Name and Person Name if both in CSDGM record, e.g. USGS, Mark Markson
contactPoint>hasEmail Contact Email required No point of contact person & organization if null, metadata contact email metadata>idinfo>ptcontac>cntinfo>cntemail if metadata>idinfo>ptcontac>cntinfo>cntorgp>cntorg and metadata>idinfo>ptcontac>cntinfo>cntorgp>cntper null then metadata>metainfo>metc>cntinfo>cntemail Use the contact email associated with the POC designated above
identifier Unique Identifier required No title metadata>idinfo>citation>citeinfo>title  
accessLevel Public Access Level required No insert POD default public If data is not public, manually change value to restricted public or non-public. If most data is not public change your default value to restricted public or non-public
bureauCode Bureau Code required Yes hardcode into POD record Insert value (hardcode) in bureau’s Enterprise Data Inventory
programCode Program Code required Yes hardcode into POD record, if not feasible, add to: Theme Keyword = <program code>, Theme Keyword Thesaurus = Federal Program Inventory metadata>idinfo>keywords>theme>themekey & metadata>idinfo>keywords>theme>themekt Insert value (hardcode) into POD record. If not feasible, add to Theme Keyword: 1) Locate program code in the Federal Program Inventory doc 2) Add Program Code, e.g. “015:001” as a Theme Keyword 3) List ‘Federal Program Inventory’ as associated Theme Keyword Thesaurus, include URL if wanted
spatial Spatial if applicable No bounding coordinates metadata>idinfo>spdom>bounding>westbc, southbc, eastbc, northbc Compile West, South, East, North values into single string, e.g. west coordinate, east coordinate, north coordinate, south coordinate
temporal Temporal if applicable No time period of content metadata>idinfo>timeperd>timeinfo>title>rngdates>begdates/enddate if null then metadata>idinfo>timeperd>timeinfo>title>mdattim (lowest as start date/ highest as end date) if null then metadata>idinfo>timeperd>timeinfo>title>sngdate>caldate (repeat as start/end date) Concatonate values, e.g. 20150101/20150202
theme Theme optional Yes insert POD default geospatial Insert default value geospatial directly into POD record (POD requests this value to identify geospatial resources)
Distribution Fields            
distribution>downloadURL Download URL if applicable No   metadata>distinfo>storder>digform>digtoption>onlinopt>networka>networkr if null then metadata>idinfo>citation>citeinfo>onlink Include if CSDGM value occurs, first instance
distribution>mediaType Media Type required for download URL No insert POD default application/http   Insert default value application/http directly into POD record

ISO 19115 to Project Open Data Metadata Schema v1.1 (POD v1.1) Crosswalk

POD v1.1 Label Condition Repeats Guidance ISO Description ISO XPath
Catalog Fields            
conformsTo Schema Version required   populated by Agency Enterprise Inventory Application
dataset Dataset required   populated by Agency Enterprise Inventory Application
Dataset Fields            
title Title required no   title //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:title/gco:CharacterString
description Description required no   abstract //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:abstract/gco:CharacterString
keyword Tags required yes POD JSON validator expects unique keywords. keywords (theme, place, temporal) //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:descriptiveKeywords/gmd:MD_Keywords/gmd:keyword (gco:CharacterString or gmx:Anchor)
modified Last Update required no   1. resource maintenance frequency
2. data citation revision date
3. first data citation date available
1. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:resourceMaintenance/gmd:MD_MaintenanceInformation/gmd:maintenanceAndUpdateFrequency/gmd:userDefinedMaintenanceFrequency/gts:TM_PeriodDuration
2.//gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:date/gmd:CI_Date/gmd:dateType/gmd:CI_DateTypeCode == "revision" + gmi:MI_Metadata/gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:date/gmd:CI_Date/gmd:date/gco:Date
3.//gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:date/gmd:CI_Date/gmd:date/gco:Date
publisher > name Publisher required no   1. data citedResponsibleParty with publisher roleCode
2. point of contact with publisher roleCode
3. distributor
1. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:citedResponsibleParty/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:organisationName/gmd:organisationName[../../gmd:role/gmd:CI_RoleCode/@codeListValue=’publisher’]
2. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:pointOfContact/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:organisationName[../../gmd:role/gmd:CI_RoleCode/@codeListValue=’publisher’]
3. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributor/gmd:MD_Distributor/gmd:distributorContact/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:organisationName
publisher > subOrganizationOf   optional no  
contactPoint > fn Contact Name required no if person’s name is null, then use organization or position name 1. point of contact
1a. person name
1b. organization
1c. position
2. data citedResponsibleParty with ‘pointOfContact’ roleCode
2a. person name
2b. organization
2c. position
1a. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:pointOfContact/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:individualName (gco:CharacterString or gmx:Anchor)
1b. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:pointOfContact/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:organisationName (gco:CharacterString or gmx:Anchor)
1c. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:pointOfContact/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:positionName (gco:CharacterString or gmx:Anchor)
2a.//gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:citedResponsibleParty/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:individualName[../../gmd:role/gmd:CI_RoleCode/@codeListValue=’pointofContact’]
2b.//gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:citedResponsibleParty/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:organisationName[../../gmd:role/gmd:CI_RoleCode/@codeListValue=’pointofContact’]2c.//gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:citedResponsibleParty/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:positionName[../../gmd:role/gmd:CI_RoleCode/@codeListValue=’pointofContact’]
contactPoint > hasEmail Contact Email required no   point of contact email for point of contact above: //gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:contactInfo/gmd:CI_Contact/gmd:address/gmd:CI_Address/gmd:electronicMailAddress/gco:CharacterString
identifier Unique Identifier required no   1. Digital Object Identifier (DOI) URL
2. data identifier
3. metadata identifier
4. title
1. if contains ‘doi’ or ‘DOI’ string //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:identifier/gmd:MD_Identifier/gmd:code/gmx:Anchor/@xlink:href
2. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:identifier/gmd:MD_Identifier/gmd:code
3. //gmd:fileIdentifier
4. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:title
accessLevel Public Access Level required no default value is “public” 1. resource constraints with codes of restricted, confidential, secret, or topSecret
2. resource constraints with codes of copyright, patent, patentPending, trademark, license, or intellectualPropertyRights
3. ISO codes do not specify ‘public’ as a constraint code
1. “non-public” when
a. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:resourceConstraints/gmd:MD_LegalConstraints/gmd:accessConstraints/gmd:MD_RestrictionCode == restricted
b. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:resourceConstraints/gmd:MD_SecurityConstraints/gmd:classification/gmd:MD_ClassificationCode == restricted, confidential, secret, or topSecret
2. “restricted public” when //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:resourceConstraints/gmd:MD_LegalConstraints/gmd:accessConstraints/gmd:MD_RestrictionCode == copyright, patent, patentPending, trademark, license, or intellectualPropertyRights
3. set value of POD json field to public if these values do not exist in metadata
bureauCode Bureau Code required yes insert value when uploaded to Agency Enterprise Inventory
programCode Program Code required yes Recommend hardcoding program information into the POD, if not feasible then add to keywords - locate program code in the Federal Program Inventory doc - add Program Code, e.g. "015:001" as a Theme Keyword - list ‘Federal Program Inventory’ as associated Theme Keyword Thesaurus Keyword = <program code> + Thesaurus = Federal Program Inventory //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:descriptiveKeywords/gmd:MD_Keywords/gmd:keyword (gco:CharacterString or gmx:Anchor) + //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:descriptiveKeywords/gmd:MD_Keywords/gmd:thesaurusName/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:title = 'Federal Program Inventory'
license License if applicable no default value for government data is ‘Public Domain’
rights Rights if applicable no   1. legal access restriction code
2. security constraints classification code
1. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:resourceConstraints/gmd:MD_LegalConstraints/gmd:accessConstraints/gmd:MD_RestrictionCode
2. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:resourceConstraints/gmd:MD_SecurityConstraints/gmd:classification/gmd:MD_ClassificationCode
spatial Spatial if applicable no minimum longitude, minimum latitude, maximum longitude, maximum latitude Geographic Bounding Coordinates //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:extent/gmd:EX_Extent/gmd:geographicElement/gmd:EX_GeographicBoundingBox/gmd:westBoundLongitude + //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:extent/gmd:EX_Extent/gmd:geographicElement/gmd:EX_GeographicBoundingBox/gmd:southBoundLatitude + //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:extent/gmd:EX_Extent/gmd:geographicElement/gmd:EX_GeographicBoundingBox/gmd:eastBoundLongitude + //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:extent/gmd:EX_Extent/gmd:geographicElement/gmd:EX_GeographicBoundingBox/gmd:northBoundLatitude
temporal Temporal if applicable   concatonate values, e.g. 2015-01-01/2015-02-02 1. time period begin and end dates
2. time instant
3. min and max value of multiple date ranges
1. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:extent/gmd:EX_Extent/gmd:temporalElement/gmd:EX_TemporalExtent/gmd:extent/gml:TimePeriod/gml:beginPosition + //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:extent/gmd:EX_Extent/gmd:temporalElement/gmd:EX_TemporalExtent/gmd:extent/gml:TimePeriod/gml:endPosition
2. if single date use this field to populate as both start/end date //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:extent/gmd:EX_Extent/gmd:temporalElement/gmd:EX_TemporalExtent/gmd:extent/gml:TimeInstant/timePosition
3. if more than two instances of this field exist choose the earliest date value and latest date value to populate the range of dates //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:extent/gmd:EX_Extent/gmd:temporalElement/gmd:EX_TemporalExtent/gmd:extent/gml:TimeInstant/timePosition
accrualPeriodicity Frequency optional no   resource maintenance and update frequency //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:resourceMaintenance/gmd:MD_MaintenanceInformation/gmd:maintenanceAndUpdateFrequency/gmd:MD_MaintenanceFrequencyCode Convert values of this field based on the following mapping:
continual - R/PT1S
daily - R/P1D
weekly - R/P1W
fortnightly - R/P0.5M
monthly - R/P1M
quarterly - R/P3M
biannually - R/P0.5Y
asNeeded - irregular
irregular - irregular
notPlanned - irregular
unknown - irregular
conformsTo Data Standard optional no  
dataQuality Data Quality optional no  
describedBy Data Dictionary optional no   1. feature catalog url
2. data dictionary URL
1. //gmd:contentInfo/gmd:MD_FeatureCatalogueDescription/featureCatalogueCitation/CI_Citation/citedResponsibleParty/CI_ResponsibleParty/contactInfo/CI_Contact/onlineResource/CI_OnlineResource/linkage/URL
2. //gmd:aggregationInfo/gmd:MD_AggregateInformation/gmd:aggregateDataSetName/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:citedResponsibleParty/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:contactInfo/gmd:CI_Contact/gmd:onlineResource/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:linkage/gmd:URL WHERE: //gmd:aggregationInfo/gmd:MD_AggregateInformation/gmd:initiativeType/gmd:DS_InitiativeTypeCode == dataDictionary
describedByType Data Dictionary Type optional no infer mime type from suffix of the url for describedBy tag
isPartOf Collection optional no   1. larger work identifier
2. larger work title
3. parent identifier
1. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:aggregationInfo/gmd:MD_AggregateInformation/gmd:aggregateDataSetIdentifier/gmd:MD_Identifier/gmd:code (gco:CharacterString or gmx:Anchor) + //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:aggregationInfo/gmd:MD_AggregateInformation/gmd:associationType/gmd:DS_AssociationTypeCode == largerWorkCitation
2. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:aggregationInfo/gmd:MD_AggregateInformation/gmd:aggregateDataSetName/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:title + //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:aggregationInfo/gmd:MD_AggregateInformation/gmd:associationType/gmd:DS_AssociationTypeCode == largerWorkCitation
3. //gmd:parentIdentifier (gco:CharacterString or gmx:Anchor)
issued Release Date optional no should be ISO 8601 extended date format 1. data citation publication date
2. any data citation date
1. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:date/gmd:CI_Date/gmd:dateType/gmd:CI_DateTypeCode == publication + //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:date/gmd:CI_Date/gmd:date (gco:Date or gco:DateTime)
2. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:date/gmd:CI_Date/gmd:date (gco:Date or gco:DateTime)
language Language optional yes   language of data //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:languageConvert the value of this field based on the following mapping:
eng; USA - en-US
spa; USA - es-US
eng; CAN - en-CA
fre; CAN - fr-CA
spa; MEX - es-MX
landingPage Homepage URL optional no   1. doi url
2. distribution transfer options url with ‘information’ function code
3. distributor transfer options url with ‘information’ function code
4. data citation url with ‘information’ function code
1. When contains ‘doi’ or ‘DOI’ //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:identifier/gmd:MD_Identifier/gmd:code/gmx:Anchor/@xlink:href
2. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:transferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:function/gmd:CI_OnLineFunctionCode == information + //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:transferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/linkage/URL
3. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributor/gmd:MD_Distributor/gmd:distributorTransferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:function/gmd:CI_OnLineFunctionCode == information + //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributor/gmd:MD_Distributor/gmd:distributorTransferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:linkage/gmd:URL
4. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:citedResponsibleParty/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:contactInfo/gmd:CI_Contact/gmd:onlineResource/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:function/gmd:CI_OnLineFunctionCode == information + //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:citation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:citedResponsibleParty/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:contactInfo/gmd:CI_Contact/gmd:onlineResource/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:linkage/gmd:URL
primaryITInvestmentUII Primary IT Investment UII optional no
references Related Documents optional yes   1. crossreference url
2. source citation url
3. source citation url
1. //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:aggregationInfo/gmd:MD_AggregateInformation/gmd:associationType/gmd:DS_AssociationTypeCode == crossreference + //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:aggregationInfo/gmd:MD_AggregateInformation/gmd:aggregateDataSetName/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:citedResponsibleParty/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:contactInfo/gmd:CI_Contact/gmd:onlineResource/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:linkage/gmd:URL
2. //gmd:dataQualityInfo/gmd:DQ_DataQuality/gmd:lineage/gmd:LI_Lineage/gmd:source/gmd:LI_Source/gmd:sourceCitation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:citedResponsibleParty/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:contactInfo/gmd:CI_Contact/gmd:onlineResource/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/linkage/URL
3. //gmd:dataQualityInfo/gmd:DQ_DataQuality/gmd:lineage/gmd:LI_Lineage/gmd:source/gmi:LE_Source/gmd:sourceCitation/gmd:CI_Citation/gmd:citedResponsibleParty/gmd:CI_ResponsibleParty/gmd:contactInfo/gmd:CI_Contact/gmd:onlineResource/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/linkage/URL
systemOfRecords System of Records optional no
theme Theme optional   POD requested value to identify geospatial resources ISO topic category //gmd:identificationInfo/gmd:MD_DataIdentification/gmd:topicCategory/gmd:MD_TopicCategoryCode
Dataset Distribution Fields Distribution optional yes      
accessURL Access URL if applicable no   1. distribution url with function code of information, search, order or offlineAccess
2. distributor url with function code of information, search, order or offlineAccess
1. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:transferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:function/gmd:CI_OnLineFunctionCode == information, search, order or offlineAccess + //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:transferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/linkage/URL
2. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributor/gmd:MD_Distributor/gmd:distributorTransferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:function/gmd:CI_OnLineFunctionCode == information, search, order or Offline Access + //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributor/gmd:MD_Distributor/gmd:distributorTransferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:linkage/gmd:URL
conformsTo Data Standard optional no provide URL to specification of format 1. distribution format specification
2. distributor format specification
1. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributionFormat/gmd:MD_Format/gmd:specification IF content of gmd:specification begins with “http”
2. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributor/gmd:MD_Distributor/gmd:distributorFormat/gmd:MD_Format/gmd:specification IF content of gmd:specification begins with “http”
describedBy Data Dictionary optional no   feature catalog url //gmd:contentInfo/gmd:MD_FeatureCatalogueDescription/featureCatalogueCitation/CI_Citation/citedResponsibleParty/CI_ResponsibleParty/contactInfo/CI_Contact/onlineResource/CI_OnlineResource/linkage/URL
describedByType Data Dictionary Type optional no infer mime type from ‘describedBy’ url
description Description optional no   1. distribution url description with ‘download’ function
2. distributor url description with ‘download’ function
1. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:transferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:functiongmd:CI_OnLineFunctionCode == download + //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:transferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:description
2. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributor/gmd:MD_Distributor/gmd:distributorTransferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:functiongmd:CI_OnLineFunctionCode == download + //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributor/gmd:MD_Distributor/gmd:distributorTransferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:description
downloadURL Download URL if applicable no   1. distribution url with ‘download’ function
2. distributor url with ‘download’ function
1. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:transferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:function/gmd:CI_OnLineFunctionCode == download + //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:transferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/linkage/URL
2. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributor/gmd:MD_Distributor/gmd:distributorTransferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:function/gmd:CI_OnLineFunctionCode == download + //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributor/gmd:MD_Distributor/gmd:distributorTransferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:linkage/gmd:URL
format Format optional no   1. Distribution format name 2. Distributor format name 1. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributionFormat/gmd:MD_Format/name/gco:CharacterString
2. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributor/gmd:MD_Distributor/gmd:distributorFormat/gmd:MD_Format/gmd:name/gco:CharacterString
mediaType Media Type if applicable no infer mime type from ‘downloadURL’ url
title Title optional no   1. distribution url name with ‘download’ function
2. distributor url name with ‘download’ function
1. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:transferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:function/gmd:CI_OnLineFunctionCode == download + //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:transferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:name/gco:CharacterString
2. //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributor/gmd:MD_Distributor/gmd:distributorTransferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:function/gmd:CI_OnLineFunctionCode == download + //gmd:distributionInfo/gmd:MD_Distribution/gmd:distributor/gmd:MD_Distributor/gmd:distributorTransferOptions/gmd:MD_DigitalTransferOptions/gmd:onLine/gmd:CI_OnlineResource/gmd:name/gco:CharacterString