Section E: The Title Element

Purpose of this section

This section contains the rules for using the Title element (number 5) when creating a metadata record.

E.1. Rules for the Title Element

E.1.1. Name

Title

E.1.2. Definition

The name given to the resource or service

E.1.3. Purpose

Searchers will use this element if they know the title of the resource or words in the title of the resource

E.1.4. Obligation

Mandatory

E.1.5. Element refinements 

alternative - another name by which the resource is known

E.1.6. Encoding schemes

None

E.1.7. Default value

None

E.1.8. Scope and interpretation

Where there is an official name used for the resource, this should be used in the Title element.

If the resource is a text document, use the full title as it appears on the title page. If the document has another common usage name, use the "alternative" refinement.

For a service, use its full explanatory name, or the official name used by the agency.

For a physical resource, which is called a "document" in the Type.category, there might not be a title on the object. The author might need to make up the most useful name for the resource, using the name which it is most commonly known by, and most likely to be searched by.

If a version statement is attached to the record to distinguish this resource from others of the same title in a time series, then the version statement should be included at the end of the title. Use the Relation element to reference other versions if required.

E.1.9. How to use this element when describing a service

Use the title which the creator uses to identify the service to its clients. Use a naming convention that best identifies the service to clients. The Title element could identify an individual service or a group of services, depending on the agency structure for the delivery of that service.

Use the title element with the "alternative" element refinement if the service is commonly known by another name. For example, the official service name might be "Unemployment Benefits", but an alternative name might be "Dole Payments". The content of the Title element is displayed as part of the search result, so it needs to be an accurate and clear name for the service concerned.

E.1.10. The role of Title in the Portal

The Portal displays this element on the results page.

Displayed on metadata full record screen.

E.1.11. Examples