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EIMS Field Definitions


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Field Definition
# Count of records returned in search results.
# of Pages Count of pages comprising the Information Object described by the specified EIMS record.
Abstract The abstract describes the specific subject and unique dimensions of the Information Object documented in the EIMS metadata record. This includes explicit consideration of major scientific concepts, keywords, and other descriptive terms to aid system users in searching for and identifying relevant records.
Access Procedures Text that explains access limitations and how and under what conditions access may be obtained.
Accounting Unit Digits 5 and 6 of the Hydrological Unit Code (HUC).
Acronym Meaning Full text representation of the specified acronym (e.g., Environmental Protection Agency for EPA).
Additional Information Explanatory text and/or further details about the specified object.
Alternate Phone The 10-digit secondary telephone number for the identified person.
APG Annual Performance Goal (APG) as defined in the relevant GPRA listing.
APG Identification Number The numeric identifier attached to the Annual Performance Goal (APG) in the relevant GPRA listing.
APG Title Title for the Annual Performance Goal (APG).
APG Year The fiscal year(s) for which the Annual Performance Goal (APG) has been established.
APM Annual Performance Measure (APM) as defined in the relevant GPRA listing.
APM Identification Number The numeric identifier attached to the specific Annual Performance Measure (APM) in the relevant GPRA listing.
APM Title Title for the Annual Performance Measure (APM).
APM Year The fiscal year for which the Annual Performance Measure (APM) has been established in the relevant GPRA listing.
Application Version The manufacturer's version control number for the software employed in the file being uploaded into the EIMS database.
Approach Description of the scientific strategy guiding project activity and/or methodologies used as part of a project or used to create a product.
Attribute Accuracy Report Assessment of the accuracy of the attribute values assigned in the data set.
Author Order The sequence in which co-authors of a publications are to be listed in the formal citation for the work.
Availability A record's Availability indicates who will be able to view a record through EIMS search functions once it has been reviewed by the Metadata Librarian. There are four levels of availability:
  • Public – accessible to all EIMS system users
  • EPA Only – accessible to only EPA registered users
  • Group – accessible to only a specifically defined group of system users
  • Owner – accessible only by the designated owner of the EIMS record
Please note that the EIMS entry will not be accessible to the designated parties until the Metadata Status has been set to Reviewed by the applicable Librarian.
Background Info Supplemental information that may establish a broader context for the activity being pursued in the project or a concise statement of preceding relevant activity.
Book Info If the metadata record describes a chapter within a book (rather than the whole book), the Book Info field houses the title of the book. The Title field on the Metadata Entry Main Page contains the name of the individual chapter.
Business Hours The hours of operation for the specified organization (e.g., 8:00AM - 5:00PM M-F, 10:00AM - 6:00PM Saturday).
Cataloging Unit Digits 7 and 8 of the Hydrological Unit Code (HUC).
Citation The complete listing of the citation associated with the Information Object described by the specified EIMS metadata record.
City The local political subdivision (state-chartered municipality occupying a definite area) identified in the mailing address.
Clients The organization(s) for whom a project is conducted, or who will be primary users of the products produced through the project.
Cloud Cover The percentage of the spatial extent clouds obstructed an area of the data set. Expressed in 0% to 100% or unknown.
Collection A collection is a logical grouping of EIMS records based upon organization, topic, or other criteria.
Collection Type A list of the Partner's collections contained in EIMS.
Collection(s) List of all Partner and Cross-Partner Collections associated with the specified EIMS metadata record.
Completeness Report Information about omissions, selection criteria, generalizations, and rules used to derive the data set.
Compression Status This entry describes the status of a file and the technology employed to compress data in the file. A pick list with the following values is provided; additional values may be included in the list by use of the Data Compression screen in the Administration Menu:
  • Uncompressed
  • Zip File Compression
  • GZIP File Compression
  • Z File Compression
  • TAR Archive
  • GTAR Archive
  • Unknown File Compression Type
Computer Language The computer language associated with the Information Object (e.g., data set, database, model) documented in the EIMS metadata record.
Computer Platform This entry describes the type of computer platform required for use of a specific Model or other Information Object. A pick list is provided with a single example; additional values may be included by use of the Platforms screen in the Administration Menu.
Conference Info Information about the chapter or section of the conference proceedings which pertains to the EIMS metadata entry.
Confirm Password Confirmation entry of the password.
Constraint Desc Definition of supplemental limitations in availability of an EIMS record.
Constraint Name Title assigned for limitations to access of EIMS records.
Contact Person Agency employee designated by the Partner organizations to be the primary Contact for EIMS.
Country Major national political division (e.g., the United States of America, Canada).
County The geographic area of the activity defined by State/County jurisdiction.
Cross-Partner Collection A Cross-Partner Collection in EIMS has shared ownership between two or more partners.
Currentness Reference Basis for determining the time period of content (i.e., Ground condition or publication date).
Data Compression Name of technology employed in data compression (e.g., WinZip).
Data Element A field in a data set or database.
Data Type Characterization of the manner in which data is presented:
  • Character
  • Date
  • Number
  • Varchar (Variable characters and numbers)
Data Use and Constraints Text commentary on any issues in the use of a given data set, including explicit description of any limitations or constraints on use of the data.
Date and Time The date and time at which the specified Partner's EIMS metadata record statistics were calculated.
Decimal Digits The number of decimal places allowed for the definition of the data element.
Degree Title of the educational degree presented in standard alphabetic abbreviation (e.g., Ph.D., MD, etc.)
Degree Number Number representing the order in which you received the specified degree.
DEP Data Entry Person.
Description A text definition of the specified object and/or supplemental information about a specific topic (e.g., data compression, method type, etc.).
Digital Format Common title for the digital format employed (e.g., ARC/INFO).
Dir Entry Acronym A specified acronym (e.g., EPA for the Environmental Protection Agency).
Dir Entry ID The EIMS identification number for a specific metadata record generated by the system upon submission of a completed Metadata Entry Main Page.
Direct Spatial Reference The system for representation of data in the data set (point, vector, raster).
Display Order Number representing the order in which the specified Model Question will be displayed.
Document Number The numeric identification number for a document assigned as the ISBN, NTIS, USDOE, USEPA, etc.
Document Status Characterization of the stage of development of a document:
  • Draft
  • Final
  • In Review
  • Planned
  • Published
  • Publication Date
Document Subtype Listing of subordinate categories of documents permitted in EIMS. A pick list with the following values:
  • Book
  • Conference Proceedings
  • Journal
  • Meeting Abstract
  • Newsletter
  • Report
  • Theses/Dissertation
Eastern Boundary The Eastern-most reach of the geographic area defined in the EIMS record in terms of longitude.
EIMS Certification Level of review provided to the object file:
  • Level 0: No Certification
  • Level 1: Metadata Reviewed Only
  • Level 2: File Checked for Known Viruses
  • Level 3: File Checked for Inappropriate Content
  • Level 4: File Checked for Viruses and Content
EIMS Partner An EIMS Partner is an inter- or intra-agency organization, regional office, program, or project that contributes to the content of the system.
Email File Name Text file containing email addresses of the designated Contact person(s).
End Date The calendar date when the specified activity was completed (or is intended to end).
Entry Date The date the record was entered into EIMS.
Equipment Supplies The equipment and materials required for the accurate employment of an analytical method.
Equipment Supply Type Type / category of equipment supply (e.g., consumable, sampling platform, etc.).
Expertise Field(s) in which the identified person has specialized training or experience.
Expiration Date Sunset date for the metatdata entry on a Partner's Recent Additions page (i.e., the date after which the record should no longer display on the Recent Additions page).
Fax Phone The primary, 10-digit telephone fax number of the identified person, expressed as 999-999-9999.
FGDC Compliant Values (Yes / No / Unknown) indicate if metadata for this data set satisfies the standard of the Federal Geographic Data Committee.
File Date Date the file was created.
File Extension The portion of the file name that indicates the mime type (usually the last 3 digits after a period – ".xls", ".doc", ".gif", etc.).
File Name The descriptive title assigned to an uploaded file.
File Size (KB) The size of an uploaded file in terms of kilobytes of data.
File Type type/format of the electron file containing electronic data.
First Name The given name of the identified person.
Geographic Area The geographic area in which a particular activity documented in EIMS occurred.
Geospatial Present Form The mode in which the geospatial data are presented (i.e., atlas, satellite image, model, diagram, map, etc.).
Goal A desired major outcome/result of Agency activity as identified in the GPRA listing. In the GPRA structure of Goals and Objectives the Goal is the highest level of generality of performance objectives. Each Agency establishes multiple Goals to orient programmatic activity.
Goal Number The identification number assigned to a particular Goal in the GPRA management structure.
Grid Other Coordinate System A description of the coordinate reference system used for the data set and is not defined elsewhere in the system.
Group ID Systematically generated identification number for the specified group.
Group Name A brief descriptive title for the group.
Group Owner Systematically generated with user ID of person who adds the group.
Group Type Public or Private.
High Range The highest value that may be recorded within the data field for an EIMS data element.
High Range Reason Text entry providing explanation of the high range limitation.
Horizontal Datum Name The name of the reference system used for defining the coordinate of points.
Horizontal Datum Other Explanation of accuracy or tests used.
Horizontal Position Accuracy Estimated accuracy of the horizontal positions of the spatial objects.
In Pick list? Indication as to whether or not the MIME Type will appear in the pick list.
Information Type The specific class of Information Object to be documented in the EIMS metadata record. Select from the pick list one of the following values:
  • Data Set – a freestanding collection of information not included in a formal database management system
  • Model – a set of algorithms used to calculate a derived quantity or predict a future state
  • Web Site – a collection of web pages accessed at a specific URL
  • Database – collections of data residing in a database management system
  • Multimedia – information products such as maps, pictures and images, sound files and video films
  • Document – any type of text information products (e.g., memorandum, book, article, report, etc.)
  • Project – any type of bounded, focused activity with a defined outcome (a more comprehensive description of project activity is under development)
  • Meeting – an organized assembly of people brought together for a defined purpose
  • Spatial – environmental information that incorporates geographic identifiers which reference locations on the earth's surface using a standard set of coordinates
Institution Institution of Higher Education from which a degree was granted.
Interval This systematically generated field conveys the amount of time between runs of the identified database job.
Issue ID Identification of the series publication of which the data set is a part.
Job# The systematically generated identifier for the specified database job.
Journal Code International standard Series Number (ISSN). A unique identification number assigned to an enduring series publication (e.g., scientific journal, magazine, newspaper). The basic numbering format is two groups of four digits separated by a hyphen (ISO 3297).
Journal ID System generated identification number linked to a specific journal.
Keyword A keyword is a descriptive term associated with an EIMS record in order to facilitate searches by topics and terms. In EIMS, keywords can be freeform (listing of words) or hierarchical (Keyword: Topic to Keyword: Term to Keyword).
Language Version Manufacturers specification of an edition to a computer language.
Last Execution Time The most recent completion time of the specified database job.
Last Name The surname of the identified person. If you see an Magnifying Glass icon, a search function enables you to select the individual's name from search results in a pop-up window.
Librarian Type Role/Type of Librarian (i.e., EIMS Administrator, Collection Librarian, Cross-Partner Librarian, Partner Librarian).
Limit results to Use this field to determine how many record summaries will display on each page of search results.
Location Identification of a specific place (i.e., City, State).
Logical Consistency Report Explanation of fidelity of relationships in the data set and tests used.
Low Range The lowest value that may be recorded within the data file for an EIMS data element.
Low Range Reason Text entry providing explanation of the low range limitation.
Mailing Address The postal address of the identified person.
Maintenance Update The frequency of when the data set is updated or changed after the initial data set is considered complete (i.e., continually, daily, weekly, monthly, annually, unknown, as needed, or irregularly).
Max Value Length The maximum number of digits allowed for the definition of the data element.
Media Title of the medium employed (e.g., videotape).
Member Name (ID) Identification of group member in the following format: First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name (Person ID).
Metadata Language Language in which the metadata is presented. Select one of the following values from the pick list:
  • Chinese
  • Italian
  • Dutch
  • Japanese
  • English
  • Portuguese
  • French
  • Russian
  • German
  • Spanish
Metadata Status Definition of the available statuses of an EIMS metadata record:
  • Incomplete – The record owner has not yet finished entering metadata and has, thus, not submitted the record for review.
  • Pending – The record owner has submitted it for review by a Metadata Librarian, but the review process has not been completed.
  • Reviewed – The applicable Metadata Librarian has reviewed and approved the record, and it is available for access through EIMS searches.
  • Retired – The record is no longer available for access through EIMS searches.
Method ID The identification number created to link the method name to the EIMS metadata record.
Method Name Title of the specified method. A search function is provided, linked to the EIMS listing of Method Names and Method ID numbers.
Method Purpose Brief explanation of the objectives sought by use of the method.
Method Type General classification of methods. Select one of the following values from the pick list:
  • Acquisition
  • Biological Lab Processing
  • Chemical Lab Processing
  • Human Exposure
  • Manipulation
  • Questionnaire
Middle Initial The letter representing the second (middle) given name of the identified person.
Mime Type Multimedia Internet Mail Extensions. Indicates the available file types of the download files.
Mobile/Cell Phone The 10-digit telephone number for a mobile/cell telephone of the identified person.
Municipality The name of the local political subdivision in which an activity documented in the EIMS record took place.
Name The full name of a specified person or text identifying a specified object.
Native Additional Info Description of data set in processor's environment. Include format, software (version) and hardware.
Native Database Name of the database that stored original format of data set.
Native Operating System Name of operating system where original data set exists.
Next Execution Time Most imminent time at which the specified database job is scheduled to run.
Non-Listed Title Enter the Journal title here if it is not one of the options in the pick list for the Listed Title field.
Northern Boundary The Northern-most reach of the geographic area defined in the EIMS record in terms of latitude.
Notice Significant information about an individual EIMS record that may be entered via the Administrative Details screen and will be displayed on the EIMS Summary display for the record.
Number of Records for "DATA" Count of the specified Partner's metadata records of the following Information Types: Data Sets, Databases, Spatial Data, and Multimedia.
Number of Records for "DOCUMENT" Count of the specified Partner's metadata records of the following Information Types: Documents, Meetings, and Web Sites.
Number of Records for "MODEL/TOOLS" Count of the specified Partner's metadata records that are Models.
Number of Records for "PROJECT" Count of the specified Partner's metadata records for Project Information Objects.
Number of Records Marked "INCOMPLETE" Count of specified Partner's records with a Metadata Status of Incomplete.
Number of Records Marked "PENDING" Count of the specified Partner's records with a Metadata Status of Pending.
Number of Records Marked "RETIRED" Count of specified Partner's records with a Metadata Status of Retired.
Number of Records Marked "REVIEWED" Count of specified Partner's records with a Metadata Status of Reviewed.
Objective Description of the desired outcome of the specified activity.
Objective (GPRA) The specific objective defined in the relevant GPRA listing.
Objective ID The identification number attached to a specific objective in the relevant GPRA listing.
Org ID System generated identification number created to link each Organization Title in a pick list.
Org Level EIMS concatenates the 4 Org Level fields to generate the Organization Name. Org Level 1 contains the primary name of the organization. Org Levels 2 - 4 provide optional identification such as location and contact information.
Organization ID System generated identification number for the specified Organization.
Organization Type Org Type categorizes organization into the following groups:
  • Academic
  • Federal
  • Local
  • Other
  • State
Other Citation Details Other information that completes the citation not provided elsewhere.
Other Method Type Other classification of methods.
Page Info The total number of pages and/or the range of pages (i.e., 103 - 121).
Pager Phone The 10-digit telephone number for the pager connection of the identified person.
Parent Method ID Identification number for the parent of the specified method. Use the magnifying class icon to select the desired value from a pop-up screen.
Parent Method Name Name for the parent of the specified method. EIMS will automatically populate this field based upon selection of the Parent Method ID.
Parent Method Type Method Type of the parent of the specified method. EIMS will automatically populate this field based upon selection of the Parent Method ID.
Partner Name of the EIMS Partner Organization (e.g., Office of Research and Development – National Center for Environmental Assessment).
Partner Code Abbreviation used to designate an EIMS Partner (e.g., ORD-NCEA).
Partner URL Web address of the Partner's home page.
Password User confirmation ID code For restricted EIMS access (secure file).
Peer Review Category Level of Peer Review established by EPA Standards:
  • EPA Category 1 – major scientific or technical product used in decision making
  • EPA Category 2 – non-major scientific or technical product used in decision making
  • EPA Category 3 – Peer review deemed unnecessary
  • EPA Category 4 – peer review outside of EPA (see Science Policy Council Handbook on Peer Review, 2nd Ed.)
Person ID System generated identification number created to link the personal information of a registered EIMS user.
Person Type Classification of a user a Public or Agency user.
Platform Refers to the computer environment associated with the EIMS entry. A pick list with one example currently provided.
Prefix Title associated with the specified person (e.g., Dr., Mr., Ms., etc.)
Primary Email The primary email address of the identified person.
Primary Phone The primary, 10-digit telephone number of the identified person, expressed as 999-999-9999.
Professional Type Categories of Professional affiliations for an individual user
Progress Description of progress of project activity in relation to major milestones in the project plan [e.g., field data collection completed (date), data analysis completed, draft report submitted for management review].
Project Cost Estimated costs for travel, equipment, and other direct outlays as well as for extramural support for the project.
Project FTE The full time equivalent work years of EPA staff assigned to the project.
Project ID The identification number assigned to the specific project in a particular project tracking system (e.g., OMIS, GICS, etc.).
Project Status A description of the general status of a project described in the metadata record – e.g., work in progress as of (date), completed, work suspended.
Project Type Identifies the external tracking system in which an activity is identified (e.g., OMIS); a pick list of values is provided. As of mid-2001 the values are:
  • EPA Grant – reference to the EPA Grant Information Control system (GICS) that tracks assistance (grant or cooperative agreement) awards
  • OMIS – reference to the ORD Management Information System
  • ORD-DW Plan – reference to the Office of Drinking Water research plan
  • Partner Specific – specific guidance on these entries will be established by the EIMS Partner organizations
Publication Date Date on which the specified object was released to the general public.
Publication Place Name of the city, state, or country where the specified object was published or released.
Publisher Organization responsible for producing the specified object (e.g., Journal article, book, etc.).
Publisher ID System generated identification number created to link publisher information to an EIMS metadata record.
Purpose Summary of the goals or intentions for which the data set was developed.
Recording Format The technology employed in recording information (e.g., compact disk, audio tape, video tape).
Reference Document The source of detailed information on specific processes/procedures for the method, validity tests, potential limitations, etc.
Reference Info Information on works developed using products described by the EIMS metadata record.
Region A specified district or territory. In EIMS, a region is the largest breakdown level for the USGS Hydrologic Unit Code, comprising the first 2 digits.
Related Entries ID The EIMS record Id for the related entry.
Related Entries Title Name of the EIMS metadata record that has significant relationship to the EIMS record being documented.
Related Goal Identification of an additional GPRA goal, beyond the primary identified goal, supported by the project.
Relationship Reason Description of the character of the relationship between the activities documented in the two EIMS records.
Release Date The date the EIMS record was released for viewing.
Relevance Description of the significance of project activity/results in relation to major scientific issues or regulatory goals.
Reported Decimal Digits Actual number of decimal places allowed for the definition of an EIMS data element.
Reported High Range Actual highest value recorded within the data field for an EIMS data element.
Reported Low Range Actual lowest value recorded within the data file for an EIMS data element.
Reported Max Value Length Actual maximum number of digits allowed for the definition of an EIMS data element.
Research Component A major topical element in a broader plan of scientific research activity. Research plans are established by the EPA Office of Research and Development and the EPA Office of Drinking Water, among others.
Retire Date The date at which an EIMS metadata record is withdrawn from being accessible for review by EIMS search functions.
Review Date The date the Metadata Librarian completed review of the EIMS record.
Review Status Designates whether a registered EIMS user's Personal Information has been reviewed by a Metadata Librarian.
Revision Date The date of the most recent revision of the EIMS record.
Risk Paradigm A conceptual framework for organizing scientific activity and information. As used by the EPA Office of Research and Development the risk paradigm has four elements: Exposure, Effects, Assessment, Management.
Role Classifications of an individual capable of providing supplemental information about the Information Object described in the EIMS record or about components of the EIMS metadata record.
Role Type Roles in EIMS fall into one of 3 categories: Operational (OPE), Organizational (ORG), or Security (SEC).
Secondary Email Alternative email address of identified person.
Security Classification Name of the handling restrictions on the data set (Top Secret, Secret, Confidential, Restricted, Unclassified, Sensitive).
Security Classification System Name of the Security Classification system.
Security Handling Desc A text definition of the specified object and/or supplemental information about a specific topic (e.g., data compression, method type, etc.).
Selection List List of previously identified keywords. Users should check this list before adding new keywords to avoid inadvertant duplication.
Series Tracking system used to identify the specific document (e.g., ISBN, NTIS, EPA document control number).
Series Name Name of the published series of which the data set is a part.
Size Size in kilobytes (KB) of the specified file.
Sort results by Use this field to determine the order in which your search results are displayed: by Information Type, record Title, or EIMS Entry ID.
Southern Boundary The Southern-most reach of the geographic area defined in the EIMS record in terms of latitude.
Start Date The calendar date when the specified activity was initiated (or is intended to begin).
Start Time The time at which the database job will run.
State Major subnational political division (i.e., one of the 50 states of the United States of America or one of the Canadian provinces).
Status Identification of the status of the Information Object described by the EIMS metadata record.
Status ID Numeric identifier for the specified Object Status of the specified Information Type.
Subject Area of Academic specialization.
SubObj ID The identification number attached to a specific subobjective in the relevant GPRA listing.
Subobjective Most refined statement level of intended accomplishment.
Subregion A specified district or territory within a Region. In EIMS, a subregion is the second level breakdown for the USGS Hydrologic Unit Code, comprised of digits 3 and 4.
Subtype A refined classification of an Information Type (e.g., the Information Type "Document" can be further refined into the SubTypes of Book, Journal, Newsletter, etc.).
Subtype ID Numeric identifier for the specified SubType.
SubWatershed A more refined geographic area for a watershed used in the USGS Hydrologic Unit Code.
Sunset Date The date established by the record Owner after which access will be denied.
Term A more refined description of the EIMS record based on the topic (i.e., second level of a Hierarchical Keyword).
Time Differential The difference in hours and minutes between local time and universal time (Greenwich Mean time).
Timeline A description of the major milestones for developing the EIMS Partner's collection.
Title The name designated to identify the specified object.
Topic The broadest description of the EIMS record (i.e., first level of a Hierarchical Keyword).
Topic / Keyword Descriptive term(s) to use as search criteria. EIMS will search the specified database fields for the text entered into this field.
Topic / Keyword Source The fields that EIMS will search for the specified keywords. You can search the following fields: Abstract, Title, Keywords, or all of these fields (Abstract, Title, and Keyword).
Total Number of Records in Partnership Count of the specified Partner's metadata records in EIMS.
Unit Title of unit of measurement.
URL The Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is the web address (i.e., the location of the specified object on the internet/intranet).
USEPA Site A pick list with Y/N (yes/no) values.
Username User name for EIMS access (secure file).
USGS HUC US Geological Survey (USGS) Hydrological Unit Code (HUC). System of classifying varying scale of watersheds. The standard HUC is an eight digit string structured as follows:
  • Region (2 digits)
  • Sub-region (2+2 digits)
  • Accounting Unit (2+2+2 digits)
  • Cataloging Unit (2+2+2+2 digits)
Additional codes are employed for Watersheds (11 digits) and Subwatersheds (14 digits). The EIMS application is structured to provide pick lists of place names for Region, Sub-region, Accounting Unit, and Cataloging Unit to dynamically generate the HUC for a specific location.
Vendor Name The name of the specified company / organization that provides equipment supplies.
Version Number of the current version of the specified object.
Version Date Calendar date on which the version was updated (became effective).
Version Description This field allows for description of the differences of the current version of the data object compared with that described in the original entry.
Vertical Position Report Explanation of the vertical relationships in the data set.
Watershed Boundaries The delineation of the geographic area of watersheds by use of the USGS Hydrologic Unit Code and associated area descriptors.
Western Boundary The Western-most reach of the geographic area defined in the EIMS record in terms of longitude.
Year Calendar year an educational degree was awarded.
ZIP Code The 5 or 9 digit postal area identification number for the address of the identified person.

 

 
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