Evaluation Metadata Repository

The aim of the MDR-Evaluation project was an evaluation of the possible application scenarios for metadata repositories by a larger group of experts. The focus was not on concrete software, but on the community's basic expectation of a web-based database of data elements.

The aim of the MDR-Evaluation project was an evaluation of the possible application scenarios for metadata repositories by a larger group of experts. The focus was not on concrete software, but on the community's basic expectation of a web-based database of data elements.

Metadata repositories (MDR) are databases for data elements that can be used both in research, e.g. in clinical studies or epidemiological cohorts, and in care, e.g. in hospital information systems. These data elements are not the actual patient data (facts), but a complete definition of the variables or characteristics used, including the coding, the unit of measurement, the data type and other aspects. Although MDRs are the subject of broad scientific research, their practical use is significantly lower. As part of a TMF e.V. project, a questionnaire was designed which contained questions on general aspects of building a central library for data elements of biomedical research as well as more concrete points regarding necessary functionalities, desired contents, tools for community work and the quality of data elements. The questionnaire was presented to a broad community in a web survey. From the answers strategic success criteria for the implementation of a community oriented metadata repository can be derived.