Formal metadata: information and software

Why was the data set created?

In general this information should be written into the statement of Purpose:

Identification_Information:
  Description:
    Purpose:  Objectives and concerns

Include in this element information that addresses the following concerns:

What were the objectives of the research that resulted in this data set?
What objectives are served by presenting the data in digital form?
How do you recommend that the data be used?
Are you concerned that nonspecialists might misinterpret the data? If so, of what aspects of the data set should they be especially wary?
Specific concerns about parts of the data set that could be easily misunderstood should also be written into the reports of the Data_Quality_Information. See How reliable are the data; what problems remain?

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