Resource Type

Definition

The type or category of the primary content of the resource

Where Can the Resource Type Information be Found?

Resource type is determined by examining the physical item

How Resource Type Works in the Metadata Form

Parts:

Resource Type – drop-down menu

Repeatable?

No

Required?

Yes - also see (more information) about required fields

How Should the Resource Type be Filled in?

Guideline	Examples
Select the correct resource type from the controlled vocabulary	image_score - Musical Score/Notation
Use the most specific resource type that is relevant	image_photo - Photograph (not “image”) text_letter - Letter (not “text”)
If the particular kind of resource is not on the list, use a generic type	image - Image text - Text

If it is difficult to determine the resource type:

1. Check the glossary (in the Comments section) for clarification.

2. Note that the type may reflect the content rather than the format if they are different, for example:

   • Page images of textual items should be entered as “Text” not “Image”

   • A series of negatives/photographs should be entered as “Photograph”

   • “Papers” are documents about special topics similar to reports, not items made of paper

   • Born-digital types may not “match” the file format, e.g., not all content saved as a .xml is a “Dataset”

3. A page with both text and images should be entered based on which portion is most dominant or important, i.e.,

   • Does it seem like ‘text’ with accompanying images(s) – e.g., photos or illustrations in a letter or printed page?

   • Does it seem like ‘photograph(s)’ or illustrations with inscriptions and accompanying text?

4. Consider whether someone would expect to find the item if they limit their search to one particular type

Other Examples

Proceedings of a convention (booklet)

Resource Type: text_book - Book

Handwritten tally of voters from 1836

Resource Type: text - Text

Advertisement (with illustrations)

Resource Type: image_artwork - Artwork

U.S. Geological Survey Map

Resource Type: image_map - Map

Tintype

Resource Type: image_photo - Photograph

Opera score

Resource Type: image_score - Musical Score/Notation

Organizational chart

Resource Type: image - Image

Event flyer

Resource Type: text_pamphlet - Pamphlet

Comments

Glossary of Resource Types

Primarily Text-Based Materials

Resource Type	Code	Use for:
Article	text_article	A full article from a periodical, such as a journal, magazine, or newsletter
Book	text_book	A book, atlas, photojournal, ledger, etc.
Book Chapter	text_chapter	A full chapter that is part of an anthology or larger, multi-chapter text
Clipping	text_clipping	Newspaper clippings and partial excerpts from other published materials
Thesis or Dissertation	text_etd	Thesis or dissertation
Journal / Magazine / Newsletter	text_journal	An issue of a periodical such as a journal, magazine, newsletter, bulletin, etc.
Legal Document	text_legal	Court or government legal documents, e.g., affidavits, deeds, wills, land grants, warrants, etc.
Legislative Document	text_leg	Materials generated by state and federal legislatures, such as text of bills and resolutions, or session proceedings
Letter	text_letter	Correspondence
Newspaper	text_newspaper	Full issue of a newspaper
Pamphlet	text_pamphlet	A non-serial publication under 50 pages including booklets, brochures, flyers, etc.
Paper	text_paper	Written composition such as an essay, working/discussion paper, white paper, etc.
Patent	text_patent	A government-issued patent including a description and often diagram(s)
Poem	text_poem	A poem or text written in verse
Prose Fiction	text_prose	A literary composition not classified as poetry, such as a novel, novella, or short story
Report	text_report	A research, statistical, technical, or summary report written by an individual, organization, or other agency
Review	text_review	A written commentary on an item (books, artwork, journals, etc.) or an event (performances, conferences, exhibitions, etc.)
Script	text_script	Text of plays, speeches, etc., meant to be read or performed
Yearbook	text_yearbook	Serial yearbook or annual documenting members of a class or organization
Text	text	A certificate, handwritten note, or other text item not specified above (e.g., printed forms, business cards, invoices, tickets, receipts, ballots, unbound meeting minutes/agendas, etc.)

Primarily Image-Based Materials

Resource Type	Code	Use for:
Artwork	image_artwork	Two-dimensional images such as a painting, drawing, engraving, graphic design, plan, etc.
Map	image_map	An individual map or unbound map sheet
Musical Score/Notation	image_score	Sheet music or score
Photograph	image_photo	Photographic print, negative, or slide
Postcard	image_postcard	Postcard (with or without written notes)
Poster	image_poster	Broadside or poster
Presentation	image_presentation	Images or text used as visual aids for a speech, lecture, seminar/webinar, or other presentation
Technical Drawing	image_drawing	Architectural or engineering illustrations
Image	image	Other type of still image not specified above (e.g., logos, charts graphs, etc.)

Other Materials

Resource Type	Code	Use for:
Collection	collection	Group or compilation of items
Dataset	dataset	Statistical data files, CD-ROMs of data, databases, etc.
Interactive Resource	interactive-resource	Video game, interactive virtual exhibits, etc.
Physical Object	physical-object	Museum piece (such as furniture, dishes, tools), architectural structure, monument, three-dimensional object (including sculptures, etc.
Sound	sound	Audio recording
Software	software	Application software such as presentation viewers, word processors, etc.
Specimen	specimen	Scientific sample
Video	video	Analog or digital animation, moving image, television program, etc.
Website	website	Webpages

Resources

• UNT Resource Type Controlled Vocabulary

More Guidelines:

• Quick-Start Metadata Guide

• Metadata Home