# Enhancing Discoverability: A Metadata Framework for Empirical Research in Theses
## 6 Initial Metadata Model: Design and Investigation
### Research Purpose and Initial Form Design  
The aim of the empirical investigation was to identify the empirical elements found in theses and develop a suitable metadata entry form that could serve as a foundation for documenting these theses.  
This investigation relied on content analysis of 14 theses (6 qualitative, 6 quantitative, and 2 mixed-method) selected through purposive sampling. These theses were already submitted and archived in the University of the Aegean's \"gray literature\" repository. Selected theses were expected to include elements aligning with the \"Study Description\" section of the DDI standard, to test how DDI can be adapted beyond quantitative-only research.  
Bibliographic theses were excluded since the focus was on exploring which fields from DDI are essential in documenting empirical studies. For non-empirical works, Dublin Core provides sufficient coverage.  
The sample consisted exclusively of theses authored by graduate students from the Department of Sociology at the University of the Aegean up to the year 2015. The sampling was designed to include all thesis types containing empirical content. A metadata entry form was developed and refined based on findings from content review.  
Due to ethical considerations, the authors of the examined theses are not named.  
The method of analyzing the results involved comparing the empirical details documented in each thesis against the fields of the DDI \"Study Description.\"  
**Research Hypotheses**  
* Dublin Core offers general information on theses.
* DDI can be adapted to cover essential elements of all types of empirical research (quantitative and qualitative).  
**Research Question*** What are the essential elements of empirical research that must be included in the metadata form to ensure proper documentation?  
Initial Metadata Entry Form (Prototype Documentation Model)  
The initial form was derived from the DDI standard's \"Study Description\" section, especially using elements from the DDI Lite subset, which proved especially suitable for our simplified documentation purposes. The form includes 25 fields, most of which are drawn directly from DDI Lite.  
These fields were used to assess whether each element was present in the theses and to what extent it contributed to understanding the research. A detailed description of each field followed, aligned with DDI definitions.  
Of the 25 fields (Table 2), 18 (Table 3) were determined to be fundamental for effective metadata documentation. These include the following:  
* Research strategy.
* Data source (primary/secondary).
* Time/space framework.
* Research questions.
* Hypotheses.
* Reference and collection dates.
* Countries, geographic coverage and units.
* Population and observation unit.
* Sample size and sampling method.
* Data collection and analysis methods.
* Recording and analytical tools.  
These fields are considered essential for a robust documentation model that can describe empirical content across diverse thesis types.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l} \hline \hline
**Metadata Field** & **Options** \\ \hline Research Strategy & 0 Quantitative, 1 Qualitative, 2 Mixed \\ Data Source & 0 Primary, 1 Secondary, 2 Mixed \\ Title & 0 Absent, 1 Present \\ Time/Space Management & 0 Non-historical, 1 Historical-comparative \\ Abstract & 0 Absent, 1 Present \\ Purpose & 0 Absent, 1 Present \\ Research Questions & 0 Absent, 1 Present \\ Working Hypotheses & 0 Absent, 1 Present \\ Research Hypotheses & 0 Absent, 1 Present \\ Reference Date for Data & 0 Not Mentioned, 1 Mentioned \\ Data Collection Date & 0 Not Mentioned, 1 Mentioned \\ Country/Countries of Study & 0 Not Mentioned, 1 Mentioned \\ Geographical Coverage & 0 Not Mentioned, 1 Mentioned \\ Geographical Unit & 0 Not Mentioned, 1 Mentioned \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 2: Temporary metadata entry form.