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The Analysis and Review of CMR (ARC) Team is responsible for conducting quality assurance (QA)/ quality control (QC) metadata quality evaluations for NASA's metadata records in the Common Metadata Repository (CMR). This process involves both automated and manual review reviews of metadata records. Each In order to prioritize ARC's findings, each metadata element evaluated during the review process is flagged with a color code (red, yellow, blue, or green) to indicate the urgency of each finding. The ARC Priority Matrix, outlined in more detail in the table below, describes the color code, the priority categorization, the justification and the expected action from the data provider. Specific ARC priority matrix details for each element are provided on the metadata curation concept wiki pages in the "Metadata Validation and QA/QC" section. ARC's metadata quality evaluations focus specifically on improving data discovery in the Earthdata Search Client, as well as promoting data accessibility and usability. With this goal in mind, the ARC priority matrix primarily focuses on metadata completeness, correctness and consistency. 

as is specified in the ARC Priority Matrix. It is the responsibility of the NASA data provider to resolve any issues found during the ARC's metadata quality review. The  The color codes specify the urgency of any issues found findings and therefore should assist the data provider in formulating a strategic plan to resolve issues. Color  Color codes are also used by ARC to track the resolution of issues . On the metadata wiki pages the ARC Priority Matrix will identify issues unique to each metadata concept. The table below defines the color codes and the corresponding action expected from the data provider.  and to generate metadata quality metrics. 

Priority CategorizationJustification
Red = high priority
issue
finding

High priority findings emphasize several characteristics of metadata quality including completeness, accuracy, and accessibility. For high priority findings, completeness is measured by a metadata record's compliance with required UMM elements. Any UMM required elements that are missing or incorrect will be prioritized as red. Accuracy is assessed by comparing how well the metadata record describes the actual data. Incorrect or outdated information will be prioritized as red. Lastly, accessibility is evaluated by any barriers that may occur in accessing the described data. Therefore, broken URLs, broken services and incorrect persistent identifiers are prioritized as red.

In general, high priority

issues

findings include (but are not limited to):

  • Broken URLs
  • Spelling and grammatical errors
  • Incorrect usage of controlled vocabulary
  • Required fields which are left blank
  • Outdated/incorrect information
Issues

Findings flagged as red are required to be addressed by the data provider.

Yellow = medium priority
issue
finding

Medium priority findings emphasize consistency and completeness. Consistency is assessed by ensuring that similar information is presented the same way across collections. Consistency makes searching for data easier and more reliable for the user. For yellow findings, the idea of completeness is expanded to include information beyond what is required by the UMM. In summary, information that makes the metadata more complete and facilitates discovery for the user beyond UMM requirements is prioritized as yellow.

In general, medium priority

issues

findings include (but are not limited to):

  • Highly recommended (but not required) content is missing from the metadata
  • Recommended revisions to existing content

Data providers

are strongly

are highly encouraged to address yellow

flagged issues. If a yellow flagged issue is not addressed, the data provider will be asked to provide a justification as to why

findings and are encouraged to provide a rationale for unaddressed items.

Blue = low priority
issue
finding

Low priority findings also focus on completeness, consistency, and accuracy. Any additional information that may be provided to make the metadata more robust or complete is categorized as blue. Additionally, any minor inaccuracies or inconsistencies are categorized as blue. In general, low priority

issues the data provider will be asked to provide a justification as to why for resolution tracking

findings include (but are not limited to):

  • Minor errors and inconsistencies that are unlikely to have a significant impact on data discoverability 
  • Informational comments
Blue issues may or may not require action on behalf of the data provider, and are not required to be addressed. If a blue issue requesting action from the data provider is not addressed,

Addressing blue findings are optional and up to the discretion of the data provider. Data providers are encouraged to provide a rationale for unaddressed blue items for the purposes of tracking updated quality metrics.

Green = no
issue
findings/issuesMetadata elements
Elements
flagged green are free of issues
. Green flagged elements
and require no action on behalf of the data provider.