102. Are metadata records required for any size dataset?

There is no established size for a dataset that prescribes when a metadata record is required. A separate metadata record may not be needed if only a few sample results are presented in their entirety in a published table. However, if the table contains analytical or summary results, or a larger set of data is used from which a small number of records are extracted to create a table for a USGS series or outside publication, then it is appropriate to also have a metadata record for that larger dataset. When data are released, they must be accompanied by a metadata record. If a product uses a subset or summary of separately released data, no additional metadata record is needed.