Controlled Vocabulary Service - Prototype
ANDS Prototype Controlled Vocabulary Service
The ANDS controlled vocabularies prototype service will allow research organizations to create, manage and query "controlled vocabularies" relating to their research datasets. The service has now been deployed as a rudimentary and experimental prototype that provides query access to the widely used ABS ANZSRC Field of Research Codes. Feedback is sought to inform a cycle of quick iterations over the next few months.
The service is designed for Australian organisations managing research datasets that require use of controlled vocabulary terms in their data or metadata values. Use of controlled vocabularies in the metadata fields to describe research data collections improves access, findability and reuse of research data.
ANDS and ABS Collaborative Project
The ANDS controlled vocabularies service is a joint undertaking with the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics). ABS are the custodians of the widely referenced ANZSRC FOR (The Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification, Fields of Research. Catalog no. 1297.0) codes. ABS and ANDS are collaboratively developing the service and working to make the service compatible with related current and future services at ABS and other agencies.
Service Development
Currently, the prototype controlled vocabulary service provides query access to the ANZSRC FOR codes. In future releases the service will provide access to other controlled vocabularies and also provide facilities for vocabulary owners to create and manage vocabularies through the service.
The prototype service is a M-2-M (machine to machine) service, but future versions will be matched with an accessible web interface.
Service Timeline
ANDS and ABS expect the prototype controlled vocabularies service to be refined through several prototype iterations in Q1 and Q2 2012 before entering a formal pilot phase in Q2 2012 and transition to a full production service in late 2012.
Service Design
The prototype controlled vocabularies service development is informed by a Vocabulary Services Technical Working Group (TWG) convened by ANDS and the Office of Spatial Policy and staffed by experts and interested parties from ABS and other organizations managing research data collections.
Service Profile
The current prototype controlled vocabularies service is a machine-to-machine service: i.e. there is no web page for individual researchers to visit to query or create controlled vocabulary items. There is only a software interface that research software or data archive software systems can call as part of their automated data management workflows.
Quick updates and alternative prototypes are flagged over the next few months which will include new web service and graphical user interfaces. Current technical documentation for the prototype is available here: [PDF]
Service Cost
There is no cost to use this service.
Service Contact
To make use of the prototype controlled vocabularies service service please contact services@ands.org.au. For more information on the work of the vocabulary services Technical Working Group (TWG) or to discuss the operation of the service, please contact Stuart Hungerford at ANDS (stuart.hungerford@ands.org.au).
Community discussion
Follow the discussions around the controlled vocabulary service on the ANDS community bulletin board.
