Borealis README Framework: Minimum and Enhanced Metadata Elements for Research Data

A two-tiered README framework developed by a working group from seven Canadian universities. The framework defines nine minimum and thirteen enhanced metadata elements to standardize documentation for research data deposits in the Borealis repository. The work involved analyzing approximately 20 existing README templates from Canadian and international sources using AI-assisted analysis and manual quality assurance.

Use Cases

• Standardizing dataset documentation for deposit based on the defined minimum metadata elements.
• Creating detailed data inventories and variable lists based on the enhanced README recommendations.
• Improving data discoverability and reuse by ensuring consistent coverage of who, what, where, when, why, and how.
• Supporting automated README generation by providing a clear, machine-actionable element framework.

Strengths

• Framework developed by a group from seven Canadian universities, suggesting collaborative input.
• Based on analysis of approximately 20 existing README templates from diverse sources.
• Defines a scalable two-tiered structure with 9 minimum and 13 enhanced elements.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• The dataset describes a metadata schema, not a collection of observational or experimental data records.

Provenance

Source

Borealis Expert Group's README Working Group

Collection Method

AI-assisted analysis of existing templates followed by manual quality assurance.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-25 04:12:22; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Primarily Canada, with analysis of international sources.