What is metadata in relation to data assets?

• A. Information that identifies, describes, explains, and provides content, context, structure, and classifications pertaining to data.
• B. Data that is entirely unstructured.
• C. A subset of data used for training.
• D. A policy document for data sharing.

Answer: (A)

Metadata is information about data assets that identifies, describes, explains, and provides content, context, structure, and classifications pertaining to data. It tells you what the data is, where it came from, how it’s organized, and how it should be used. For a dataset, metadata might include the source system, creation date, the data types of each column, allowed values, data owners, and notes on data quality or sensitivity. This information helps with locating data, understanding its meaning, assessing quality and governance requirements, and guiding its lifecycle management. Remember, metadata is about the data, not the data itself; it’s not unstructured data, a training subset, or a policy document for data sharing.