Suggested schema change
This proposal seeks to extend the RIF-CS RelatedObjectType type to allow for the use of a “key” element or an “identifier” element of IdentifierType.

Problem this suggestion addresses
This extension will allow for improved linking between information items and improve the scope of these links to include resources beyond those aggregated by Research Data Australia. Furthermore, the addition allows for improved sustainability as previous efforts to marshall identifiers into keys relies on an application infrastructure rather than the RIF-CS standard.

Identified by
Duncan Dickinson (QCIF)

Briefing paper about linking to external resources, not just parties.

Identified by:
Duncan Dickinson (QCIF), Melanie Adamson (ANDS)

RDA Improved Linking to External Identifiers
Duncan Dickinson has recommended “improved linking between information items” and the extension of “the scope of these links to include resources beyond those aggregated by Research Data Australia”. Duncan’s discussion specifies the relating of a Collection record to an external ‘Party’ resource.

Related External Identifier within RIF-CS
To allow for the connection to external resources, an extension to the RIF-CS schema , and/or a change in its use, will be required.

Enhanced RDA Interface
RDA interface improvements will be made to ensure that when using identifiers to external resources, the presentation of connections is not subsequently compromised.

Possible Solutions:
To allow for the connection to external resources, an extension to the RIF-CS schema , and/or a change in its use, will be required. The two current proposals are:
[list=]extend RelatedObject to allow for Identifier, Identifier type, and additional descriptive information. Possibly deprecate RelatedInfo; or
extend RelatedInfo type vocabulary to include more identifier types [/list]