Version 4.5 Update

Note

For the first time, the DataCite Metadata Working Group is releasing the DataCite Metadata Schema documentation as web documentation.

To access the documentation in PDF or Epub format, access the menu in the bottom left corner or the links below:

To make the DataCite Metadata Schema more easily usable on the web, we have updated the documentation structure. As a result, numbering for footnotes, tables, and selected appendices has changed from Version 4.4.

These changes are in response to requests from DataCite community members, people like you that have used the metadata schema and have imagined ways in which it might work better for their particular use cases. We are indebted to everyone who has provided us with their feedback, allowing us to improve our service for the broader DataCite community.

Schema changes
Documentation changes
New documentation structure

Schema changes

Support for instruments

Addition of Instrument to the resourceTypeGeneral controlled list values.

This value may be used in 10.a resourceTypeGeneral and other places where resourceTypeGeneral is used (12.f resourceTypeGeneral, 20.a relatedItemType).

Addition of new relationType pair: IsCollectedBy and Collects

Support for pre-registrations and registered reports

Addition of StudyRegistration to the resourceTypeGeneral controlled list values.

This value may be used in 10.a resourceTypeGeneral and other places where resourceTypeGeneral is used (12.f resourceTypeGeneral, 20.a relatedItemType).

Support for publisher identifiers

Addition of new sub-properties for 4. Publisher:

Documentation changes

Support for instruments

Changes and additions to these definitions, in support of instruments:

3. Title

2. Creator

7. Contributor

11. AlternateIdentifier

17. Description

descriptionType: TechnicalInfo

To enhance support for instruments, addition of new mapping: PIDINST Schema Mapping

Updated PhysicalObject definition

Change to the definition of PhysicalObject in support of samples.

RelatedItem property

Changes and additions to sub-property definitions:

Addition of a note in 20.1 relatedItemIdentifier to strongly recommend the use of an identical 12. RelatedIdentifier for indexing.

Addition of a note in 20.5 volume, 20.6 issue, 20.7 number, 20.7.a numberType, 20.8 firstPage, 20.9 lastPage, and 20.11 edition to indicate that these subproperties should only be used with the relationType IsPublishedIn.

Change to 20.8 firstPage, 20.9 lastPage, and 20.7 number to specify that the pages and number refer to the resource within the related item (for which the DOI is being registered), not the entire related item.

Minor changes to other RelatedItem sub-property definitions to improve consistency.

Updated definition of descriptionType SeriesInformation in 17.a descriptionType and Appendix 1: Controlled List Definitions - descriptionType and to clarify that it is superseded by 20. RelatedItem with the relationType IsPublishedIn selected.
To enhance support for the 20. RelatedItem property, addition of a new guidance document: Using RelatedItem for publication information and related resources

Other changes and corrections

Correction of the cardinality for properties 2.5.a affiliationIdentifier and 7.5.a affiliationIdentifier.
Correction of the capitalization of properties 2.5.c schemeURI, 7.5.c schemeURI, and 19.2.b schemeURI.
Addition of a note to indicate when 19.1 funderName is mandatory.
Correction of the cardinality of 19.2.a funderIdentifierType and addition of a note to indicate when it is mandatory.
Correction of “default” value indication for nameType “Personal” (properties 2.1.a, 7.1.a, 20.2.1.a, 20.12.1.a).
Addition of a note to 3.a titleType (sub-property of 3. Title) to match the corresponding note in 20.3.a titleType (subproperty of 20.3 title in 20. RelatedItem).
Addition of missing definition for dateType Other.
Updated examples for nameIdentifier (properties 2.4 and 7.4) and its attributes.
Updated examples for affiliationIdentifier (properties 2.5 and 7.5) and its attributes.
Updated the full name of relatedIdentifierType IGSN from “International Geo Sample Number” to “International Generic Sample Number” with an updated description.
Other minor corrections to definitions and examples.

New documentation structure

We have relocated some content to two new sections:

These sections may be updated more frequently than the metadata schema itself.