APPENDIX 1 DATA ELEMENT ATTRIBUTES
IDENTIFYING AND DEFINITIONAL ATTRIBUTES
Name:
A single or multi-word designation assigned to a data element. This appears in the heading for each unique entry in the data dictionary.
Metadata type:
Defines the type of metadata. Options are: Data element, Data element concept or Derived data element.
Version:
The unique version identifier of the metadata item. A new version number is allocated to a data element/concept when changes have been made to the name, definition and/or data domain. Other changes that significantly affect the meaning of the data element may also require the allocation of a new version number. As this is the first version of the data dictionary all data elements/concepts are '1'.
Definition:
Statement that expresses the essential nature of a data element and permits its differentiation from all other data elements.
Context:
A designation or description of the application environment or discipline in which a name is applied or from which it originates. This attribute may also include the justification for collecting the items and uses of the information.
RELATIONAL AND REPRESENTATIONAL ATTRIBUTES
Datatype:
The format used to depict values of a data element.
Examples include 'numeric', 'alpha', 'alphanumeric', 'integer', etc.
Minimum size:
The minimum number of storage units (of the corresponding datatype) to represent the data element value.
Maximum size:
The maximum number of storage units (of the corresponding datatype) to represent the data element value.
Representational form:
Name or description of the form of representation for the data element. Options are: code, count, currency, date, graphic, icon, picture, quantity, text or time.
Representational layout:
The layout of characters for the datatype expressed by a character string representation. For example, for a 1 digit numeric datatype, the representational layout would be 'N'.
Data domain:
A set of permissible (or valid) values for a data element. Data domains come in two (non-exclusive) sub-types:
- Enumerated data domain: A data domain specified as a list of permissible values (values and their meanings), for example, for 'Sex' values are 1=Male, 2=Female, etc.
- Non-enumerated data domain: A data domain specified by a description, for example, ' value 1 minus value 2'.
Guide for use:
Additional comments or advice on the interpretation or application of the attribute 'data domain'. This attribute may also include information on likely output categories for a data element if this differs with the values presented in the data domain.
Verification rules:
The rules and/or instructions applied for validating and/or verifying elements occurring in actual communication and/or databases, in addition to the formal screening based on the requirements laid down in the basic attributes.
Collection methods:
Comments and advice concerning the actual capture of data for the particular data element, including guidelines on the design of questions for use in collecting information, and treatment of 'not stated' or non-response.
Related metadata:
A reference from one metadata item to another. Examples include: 'relates to the data element …', 'derived from the data element …', or 'contrasts with the data element …'.
ADMINISTRATIVE ATTRIBUTES
Source document:
The document from which definitional or representational attributes originate.
Source organisation:
The organisation responsible for the source metadata.
History:
Brief summary of changes in one or more data element attributes since they were specified in the Dictionary.
Comments:
Remarks on the data element.
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