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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Collect and capture metadata for spatial data 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
258758  Collect and capture metadata for spatial data 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Geographical Information Sciences 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  7 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is useful for people who aim to achieve career advancement in the GIS field and provides them with essential knowledge in relation to metadata.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Describe metadata for spatial data.
  • Understand and explain the use of metadata.
  • Understand and explain national and international metadata standardisation efforts.
  • Give a detailed account of sources of metadata information. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Collect metadata as a means to document data sets.
  • Competence to perform searches and extract information from the Internet.
  • Communication at NQF Level 5.
  • Maths Literacy at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe metadata for spatial data. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Context include but not limited to:
  • The South African Metadata Standard (SANS 1878), the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 211 work. See ISO 19115, metadata. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Metadata is defined and explained in the context of either the South African Metadata Standard (SANS 1878) or the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 211 work. See ISO 19115, metadata. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to:
  • What is metadata.
  • What is a metadata schema.
  • What is a metadata catalogue.
  • What is a metadata ontology.
  • Levels of metadata in geospatial projects.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The difference between data and metadata is understood and explained in the context of either the South African Metadata Standard (SANS 1878) or the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 211 work. See ISO 19115, metadata. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A sample metadata record is understood and explained in the context of either the South African Metadata Standard (SANS 1878) or the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 211 work. See ISO 19115, metadata. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Main components of the record.
  • Hierarchical structure of record elements.
  • Content.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Understand and explain the use of metadata in the context of either the South African Metadata Standard (SANS 1878) or the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 211 work. See ISO 19115, metadata. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The usefulness of metadata for data managers is understood and explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to:
  • Preserve data history for re-use or adaptation.
  • Assess the age and character of data holdings to determine maintenance schedules.
  • Instil data accountability.
  • Realistic data audits.
  • Limit data liability.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The usefulness of metadata for project management is understood and explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to:
  • Preserve data history for re-use or adaptation.
  • Manage data holdings in terms of assessment of age and character to determine data maintenance activities and priorities.
  • Instil data accountability in data management.
  • Provide tools for appropriate data audits.
  • Limit data liabilities through effective access rules.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The usefulness of metadata for data users is understood and explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to:
  • Data discovery.
  • Bridge Semantic gap.
  • Assessment on usability of data.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Understand and explain national and international metadata standardisation efforts in the context of either the South African Metadata Standard (SANS 1878) or the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 211 work. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    See ISO 19115, metadata. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The Dublin core initiative is understood and explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Especially in relation to non-spatial data.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The FGDC initiative is understood and explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to:
  • Background information.
  • Its role in the international community.
  • Its influence on software developments.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ISO and Open Geospatial Consortium initiative is understood and explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to:
  • Background information.
  • Their role in the international community.
  • The role of the ISO standards in relation to the local standards.
  • A summary of ISO TC211 and ISO19115.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Local implementations of the ISO metadata standards are understood and explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to:
  • SANS 1876.
  • SANS 1877.
  • SANS 1878.
  • SANS 1880.
  • SANS 1883.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Give a detailed account of sources of metadata information in the context of the Spatial Data Infrastructure Act (Act 54 of 2003). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Metadata available from the NSIF are searched and appropriate information located that describes the source and custodian of the data as required in terms of the Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Metadata available from different official data custodians are searched and appropriate information located that describes the source and custodian of the data as required in terms of the Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Metadata available from other publicly available sources are searched and appropriate information located that describes the source and custodian of the data as required in terms of the Act. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including national and international sources.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge is dealt with under the specific outcomes section where "Demonstrate knowledge and understanding" is required. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Solve problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team/group/organisation or community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematics and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically (showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others). 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Display an understanding of the world as a set of related systems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to the full development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology:

    Metadata: Metadata of spatial information refers to a set of structured descriptions of spatial data records. Its primary purpose includes:
  • To aid in the identification of the spatial data sets.
  • To aid in the discovery of data sets.
  • To aid in the assessment of data sets.
  • To aid in the management of the spatial data.

    Notes to Assessors:
  • Discussion of the FGDC, OGC and ISO metadata initiatives should not be detailed. At the same time, however, the discussion on SANS metadata standards should be very detailed. Since the SANS standard is needed by South African students, it is most important, but it will also provide enough detail to give a good understanding of metadata captured through other international efforts.
  • This unit standard provides an in-depth knowledge of metadata standards. Learners should however be exposed to the capture and practical usage of metadata throughout other learning activities. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  63689   Bachelor of Arts: Geographical Information Science  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2018-06-30   
    Core  63711   Bachelor of Geographical Information Science (GISc)  Level 7  NQF Level 07  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2018-06-30   


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.