NISO Metasearch Initiative Collection Type Vocabulary

A set of classes that categorize a collection according to the nature of the content of the items in the collection.

A collection of items that are of type Collection, where a Collection is an aggregation of items; i.e. a collection of collections.

A collection of items of type Dataset where a Dataset is information encoded in a defined structure (for example, lists, tables, and databases), intended to be useful for direct machine processing.

A collection of items of type Event where an Event is is a non-persistent, time-based occurrence.

A collection of items of type Image, where an Image is a primarily symbolic visual representation other than text. For example - images and photographs of physical objects, paintings, prints, drawings, other images and graphics, animations and moving pictures, film, diagrams, maps, musical notation. Note that image may include both electronic and physical representations.

A collection of items of type Moving Image, where a Moving Image is a series of visual representations that, when shown in succession, impart an impression of motion. For example, an animation, movie, television, video, zoetrope, or visual output from a simulation.

A collection of items of type Still Image, where a Still Image is a a static visual representation other than text. For example, a picture, photograph, painting, drawing, graphic design, plan, map, or musical score. Note that a Still Image may be manifested in physical and electronic forms.

A collection of items of type Interactive Resource, where an an interactive resource is a resource which requires interaction from the user to be understood, executed, or experienced. For example, forms on web pages, applets, multimedia learning objects, chat services, virtual reality.

A collection of items of type Physical Object, where a Physical Object is an inanimate, three-dimensional object or substance. For example, a computer, the great pyramid, a sculpture.

A collection of items of type Service, where a Service is a system that provides one or more functions of value to the end-user. Examples of Services include: a photocopying service, a banking service, an authentication service, interlibrary loans, a Z39.50 or Web server.

A collection of items of type Software, where Software is a computer program in source or compiled form which may be available for installation non-transiently on another machine.

A collection of items of type Sound, where a Sound is a resource whose content is primarily intended to be rendered as audio. For example - a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds.

A collection of items of type Text, where a Text is a resource whose content is primarily words for reading. For example - books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text.