Program Overview

Course Overview

INFO 527: Creating and Managing Metadata is an introduction to the theories, standards, and systems used for the storage and retrieval of information. Topics include metadata schemes, standards for record structure and content, and the design principles of databases used for information management and retrieval.

Course Details

• Dates: 23 February 2026 to 21 June 2026
• Starts: Trimester 1
• Fees:
  • NZ$1,584.90 for domestic students
  • NZ$4,848.90 for international students
• Lecture start times: Monday 6.00pm
• Campus: Taught Online
• Estimated workload: Approximately 150 hours or 8.8 hours per week for 17 weeks
• Points: 15

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Taught By

The course is taught by the School of Information Management — Wellington School of Business and Government.

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.

Key Dates

Find important dates, including mid-trimester teaching breaks, on the University's key dates calendar. Assessment dates will be provided once the course has begun.

About This Course

Explore how metadata enables search, makes it easier to work with data, and helps explain provenance.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Explain the need for different types of information retrieval systems in different contexts.
2. Outline and apply common techniques used to determine the effectiveness of a text-based information retrieval system.
3. Explain the purpose of descriptive, administrative, and structural metadata in an information retrieval system.
4. Discuss the function of subject retrieval metadata, including controlled vocabulary systems.
5. Use appropriate design principles to create a database application for information retrieval.
6. Identify techniques used to provide access to information published on the Web.
7. Describe the relationship between knowledge management systems and information retrieval systems.
8. Discuss cultural issues that may affect information retrieval, particularly in the context of Māori resources.

How This Course Is Taught

This course is fully online, delivered asynchronously. Tutorials are recorded and not mandatory. Students are not required to be on campus to complete any piece of assessment for the course.

Assessment

• Comparative evaluation of metadata structures: 35%
• Proposal for a retrieval system: 35%
• Synthesis and reflection on discussion postings: 30%

Mandatory Requirements

To pass this course, students must:

1. Submit all assignments by the deadlines specified in the course outline, unless an arrangement has been made with the course coordinator prior to the deadline.
2. Achieve an overall pass mark of at least 50%.

Lecture Times and Rooms

• 23 February 2026 to 5 April 2026
• 20 April 2026 to 31 May 2026

What You'll Need to Get

You do not need to get any texts or equipment for this course.