The Go-Geo project aimed to develop a resource discovery tool that allows for the identification and retrieval of metadata describing the content, quality, condition and other characteristics of geo-spatial data.

Geo-spatial data is a term used to cover any data with a geographic reference - for example, an Ordnance Survey National Grid reference, a postal address, a place name or the name of an administrative area.

Increasing amounts of geo-spatial data are being created within higher education (HE) and further education (FE). At the same time, demand for access to geo-spatial data is growing as tools, such as GIS, become more commonly available. Two major barriers confront the potential user of geo-spatial data: how to find out what data exist, and how to ascertain their quality and suitability for use. To overcome these barriers, comprehensive, standardised metadata, available through a web-searchable database, are needed.

The central aims of this project were to develop the geo-spatial portal to a point where it is suitable for roll out as a full service and to trial the service such that issues relating to performance and usability could be measured. It was also to promote the possibilities of a fully functioning service to potential users and promote the benefits of the ability to process material at a geographical level within the HE and FE communities.

Phase 2 of the geo-data portal project was a one year project between EDINA and the History Data Service. The aims were to develop a demonstrator suitable for extension to full service, promote the possibilities of a fully functioning service for integration in the JISC Information Environment, and to act as a proof of concept.

Archive contribution

The History Data Service contributed to metadata, evaluation publicity and promotion.

Principal investigator:  Matthew Woollard
Funder:  JISC
Dates:  May 2002 - July 2004
Contact:  Matthew Woollard
Links:  Final reports from phases 2 and 3