The norms in use

The DDI norm (Data Documentation Initiative) provides a standardised method of documenting the files of surveys in the social sciences, by describing the different variables with the help of metadata. This norm uses the language XML and is composed of five parts:

 Description of the document
 Description of the survey
 Description of the files
 Description of the variables
 Description of other documents connected with the survey.

All the information may be consulted on the official DDI.

It is directly compatible with the Dublin Core, a further norm which provides for the description of resources with the help of 15 elements

Users Guide to the Dublin Core in English.