Geographical data sets fitness of use evaluation

Abstract

The large number of commonly available geographical data sets means that users of this data face a difficult choice in selecting the set that best meets their requirements. In theory, metadata is helpful in this, but many studies suggest that the metadata created by data producers is incomprehensible to average users. The article aims to identify the essential information that users need to acquire the geographical data set that fits their needs. This information is then compared with the information that users can obtain from metadata, product data specifications, and the data itself. As a result of a survey (the most important data quality elements were identified, as well as some information pertinent to users that is missing in metadata. The users stressed that a lack of value for optional attributes considerably decreases the informative value and fitness for use of existing data sets. This was also observed while analysing the building thematic data layer, which is a part of The Polish National Topographic Database. The research shows that data quality is diversified within a database, and it may happen that for some subsets of data, quality criteria are not met. Finally, two data quality subelements – optional attribute and void value - were proposed, which will overcome some difficulties in assessing the fitness for use of data.

Keywords

• data quality
• spatial data
• metadata
• fitness for use
• topographic database