Introduction to the GLTEN metadata editor

The GLTEN Metadata Editor is the part of the GLTEN Portal designed to collect information, or metadata, about long-term agricultural experiments.

Getting access

To submit LTE Metadata you need to be a GLTEN member and have a glten.org account. If you have an LTE that you would like to add, contact the GLTEN Coordinator at glten@rothamsted.ac.uk.

The Metadata Editor

The editor is organized into five main tabs:

  1. Experiment overview
  2. People/Organizations
  3. Site
  4. Design
  5. Related publications

You must complete the mandatory fields for each tab before submitting your LTE Metadata to review.

How long does it take to create a metadata entry?

Long-term experiments can be complex. Before you start entering LTE Metadata you might want to spend some time considering what information you want to provide. Having this information at hand will make completing your LTE Metadata easier and quicker.

If you have the information at hand, it should take 1 to 2 hours to create a minimal metadata entry by completing all mandatory fields.

A lot more detailed information can be provided using the optional fields and it is up to you how much time you spend providing this information, but the more you provide, the more informative will be your LTE Metadata.

About Mandatory Fields

Mandatory fields must be answered. Providing data for these fields will provide other GLTEN users with enough information to have a basic understanding your LTE.

About Controlled Vocabulary Fields

Many of the metadata editor fields use controlled vocabularies to recommend terms. Using a controlled vocabulary term improves the interoperability of your metadata as it means metadata is described using defined standard terms. Some controlled vocabulary fields will allow you to find terms using synonyms, for example, In the crops field, typing alfalfa or lucerne will both prompt for Medicago sativa. In this case Medicago sativa is the preferred name.

Can I save an incomplete metadata entry?

Yes, you can save your metadata and finish editing it at another time. You cannot submit the metadata for publication until all mandatory fields have been completed.

Validation Errors

Validation Errors are shown to help identify any mistakes in the LTE metadata, for example an end year is earlier than the start year. Validation errors will also highlight missing mandatory fields.

If your LTE Metadata record has validation errors you can save it and continue editing later, but you cannot submit it for review.

Submitting your metadata

Once you have finished editing your metadata you can use the Publish tab to request review and publication of your LTE Metadata. The GLTEN coordinator will review your LTE Metadata and publish it. If the GLTEN coordinator finds a mistake they will contact you to correct it.

Updating published metadata

Once you have published your metadata you can update it at any time, but you must follow the submission process as described above.