The LongITools Metadata Catalogue enables exposome researchers to assess all the data sets available from LongITools, and the suitability of the data sets to answer specific research questions.
The catalogue is an online searchable tool which collates metadata – data about the data. Part of the European Health Research Data and Sample Catalogue, it allows researchers to see what data is available from many different projects and networks including LongITools and the European Human Exposome Network.
This tool enables exposome researchers to access multiple catalogues containing rich metadata about data sets, for example, the type of data set, the population, the number of participants, and harmonised data variables.
The Catalogue comprises:
- a findability function
- harmonised mapping system
- user manual and standard operating procedures.
It enables researchers to analyse harmonised variables from multiple sets of data (e.g. from studies, biobanks and registries) and determine the suitability of the data to answer specific research questions. Harmonising data variables enables individual measurements or details such as height, diet or employment status in different data sets to be comparable.
Bringing together metadata on many existing networks and data sets, in one open science platform, ensures better data reuse and benefits the scientific community.
