[DDI-SRG] Terms: life cycle, XML Schema/schemes

[Joachim Wackerow]

Looking back at several DDI workshops and presentations for mixed 
audiences I have the impression that two often used core terms should be 
clarified in expression, and used in a constant and clear manner.

Suggestion for discussion (this is the outcome of talking with Wendy 
about that):

"life cycle" should be "data/metadata life cycle"

Reasoning: Researcher are more focused on people not metadata. So 
sometimes people think at life cycle of people (not data/metadata) like 
life history. The documentation is concerned about the life cycle of 
data. Reuse of documentation in the DDI sense is concerned about the 
life cycle of metadata. Regarding life cycle, data and metadata can 
probably not be easily differentiated in different terms. Therefore 
combination of data/metadata. Sometimes the term "life cycle of survey" 
is used. This should be really only used when dealing with survey data. 
DDI can be used for a broader range of data. Therefore the term data is 
here used (not survey) in a general sense.
Note: sometimes people say that "life cycle" is not a good metaphor 
because in a biological sense there is death at the end but no death of 
data. I think there is no better metaphor for that. A possible response 
would be: life cycle on the level of the species not the individual.


XML Schemas versus schemes (like variable scheme)
"XML Schemas" should be always "XML Schemas" not just "Schemas"
schemes should be "DDI schemes"

Reasoning: These similar sounding terms can cause some confusion.  "XML 
Schema" is a well defined term from W3C. It is a technical means to 
define a XML structure. It seems to be quite common to use it in this 
writing. Schemes in DDI are basically lists of items like variable 
schemes (list of variables), questions schemes etc. The term scheme in 
DDI is used for exactly this purpose. This must be explained in 
documentations and teaching materials. The fixed term "DDI schemes" 
should be used always when mentioning these (not just schemes).


When we can agree on new terms they should be used in a constant manner 
throughout all documentation and teaching material.

Probably other terms are also candidates for clear and consequent wording.

Any thoughts or other ideas?

Achim