Spatial metadata is a critical part of any spatial data infrastructure, which enables the organising, sharing, discovery and use of spatial data. This paper highlights a knowledge gap in the usability of the metadata systems for the end–users. It then addresses the gap by applying the User Centred Design approach to investigate the usability of metadata records. The research engages with end–users concerning efficiency and effectiveness of metadata systems, and end–users' satisfaction and expectations. The results indicate significant gaps with the effectiveness and efficiency of metadata systems for spatial data discovery and selection. Inconsistency and irrelevant information in the metadata records were found in the title, keywords, abstracts, data quality and other elements of the metadata. Additionally, essential improvements were identified for user interfaces. Discouraging presentation of the metadata is a prominent problem found in the interface of the metadata systems.

中文翻译：

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空间元数据可用性评估

空间元数据是任何空间数据基础结构的关键部分，它可以组织，共享，发现和使用空间数据。本文着重说明了最终用户在元数据系统可用性方面的知识差距。然后，它通过应用以用户为中心的设计方法来调查元数据记录的可用性，从而弥补了这一空白。该研究与最终用户进行了有关元数据系统的效率和有效性以及最终用户的满意度和期望的互动。结果表明，元数据系统在空间数据发现和选择方面的有效性和效率存在巨大差距。在元数据的标题，关键字，摘要，数据质量和其他元素中发现了元数据记录中的不一致和不相关的信息。另外，确定了用户界面的实质性改进。在元数据系统的界面中发现令人不快的元数据表示是一个突出的问题。