Introduction to metadata

Metadata is often referred to as "data about data" because it is information that describes and provides context for other data. More formally, metadata is structured information that describes, explains, locates, or otherwise facilitates the retrieval, use, or management of an information resource (Duval, Hodgins, Sutton, & Weibel, 2002; National Center for Education Statistics, 2025). One of the most fundamental elements in managing digital information is metadata, and its importance cannot be overstated. Simply put, metadata provides the context needed to understand and manage data, acting in the most basic sense as an information wrapper around content.