How to use the MDR data themes vocabulary?

Issue

National implementations of DCAT-AP may use national classifications for published datasets, partly because such national classifications pre-existed the definition of the MDR Themes Vocabulary, and partly because national services require slightly different themes.

Current situation

Current DCAT-AP implementations often refer to local themes lists. In many cases, these local themes are described at a more detailed level, leading to longer themes lists. When detailed national lists exist, it is rather easy to map these local lists to the MDR themes.

In some cases, free text values are allowed for describing themes.

Recommendation

In order to address the issue of different theme categorizations being used at different administrative and geographical levels, the use of the MDR Data Themes on all levels (local, regional. National, European) is encouraged as it creates coherence. If local or national schemes must be used, mappings to the MDR Data Themes should be made available publicly. The European Data Portal, which is creating mappings between the MDR Data Themes and local or national schemes, and the Publications Office, being the owner of the MDR Data Themes, should work together in co-ordinating mappings to the MDR Data Themes. The mappings that have already been created should be published on the MDR together with the Data Themes NAL. The latest version of all mappings should always be accessible via the MDR.

Rationale

Example

The example is based on the Nobel Prize catalogue, which is available via http://www.nobelprize.org/datasets/dcat. Some modifications were made in order to clarify the guideline.

Direct use of MDR data themes (recommended)

Mappings between local and MDR data themes