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Domain Management: Recommended Practices

Terms used to classify or describe data elements can help or hurt the usefulness of the data. Data domains and reference data are often implemented as lookup tables or drop-down boxes on forms and define the allowable values for an attribute.

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  • Use domains that are already developed in your subject area
  • Use domains that are available and supported by an authoritative source
  • If you create your own domain, document how items are distinguished from each other, and give each value a definition/description
  • Include listings of domain table contents in your metadata or associated documentation, with a citation to the source
  • Keywords are a type of domain for use in different contexts

Examples of Domains:

Generic Examples: 7 Examples of Reference Data

Domain Management: Examples of Classification Domains

Domain Management: Examples of Descriptive Domains

Page last updated 1/2/24.