MEx Metadata Schema

The MEx metadata schema is used to catalog Public Health data, resources and activities of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) - the federal Public Health institute of Germany - with the goal of making them findable and accessible via a web application.

The MEx metadata schema enables the description of data and resources derived from the research and other activities of the RKI. In most cases, the RKI’s public health data are protected by data protection laws. Instead of publishing the data itself, MEx provides descriptions about the data. The MEx metadata model is designed to provide comprehensive descriptions for RKI’s public health data. MEx users can both find and assess whether the data matches their interests and needs. To achieve this, we provide detailed information about the data in the form of variables. Variables describe how the actual data is specified and form the basis for a data-based evaluation of studies, for example.

To collect information, MEx uses a mixed approach: In addition to manually compiling, we also automatically extract information from various primary sources managed by the RKI departments. To model this, we rely on the W3C recommendations DCAT and PROV-O.

Fields

Identifier

https://mex.rki.de/schema/fields/identifier

type

string

examples

dYb6qKqjdpocTAUEPPTTj2

fKJE3RzeJ6ntHtqsXOOQR8

gglGQVGwZNJtqYDkW4N8jL

pattern

^[a-zA-Z0-9]{14,22}$

Text

https://mex.rki.de/schema/fields/text

type

object

properties

  • language

enum

de, en

  • value

type

string

examples

Dieser Text dient als Beispiel.

This is another example text.

minLength

1

Entities

Access Platform

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/access-platform

A technical system or service that provides access to distributions or resources.

type

object

properties

  • alternativeTitle

An alternative name for the access platform.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • contact

An agent that serves as a contact for the access platform.

type

array

default

[]

items

anyOf

Organizational Unit

Person

Contact Point

  • description

A short description of the access platform.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • endpointDescription

A description of the services available via the end-points, including their operations, parameters etc.

default

None

anyOf

Link

type

null

  • endpointType

The type of endpoint, e.g. REST.

default

None

anyOf

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/api-type-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/api-type

Concept

type

null

  • endpointURL

The root location or primary endpoint of the service (a Web-resolvable IRI)

default

None

anyOf

Link

type

null

  • hadPrimarySource

A primary source for a topic refers to something produced by some agent with direct experience and knowledge about the topic, at the time of the topic’s study, without benefit from hindsight. Because of the directness of primary sources, they ‘speak for themselves’ in ways that cannot be captured through the filter of secondary sources. As such, it is important for secondary sources to reference those primary sources from which they were derived, so that their reliability can be investigated. A primary source relation is a particular case of derivation of secondary materials from their primary sources. It is recognized that the determination of primary sources can be up to interpretation, and should be done according to conventions accepted within the application’s domain ([PROV-O, 2013-04-30 ](http://www.w3.org/TR/2013/REC-prov-o-20130430/)).

Primary Source

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

Identifier

  • identifierInPrimarySource

The identifier of the item used in the primary source.

type

string

examples

123456

item-501

D7/x4/zz.final3

maxLength

1000

minLength

1

pattern

^[^\\n\\r]+$

  • landingPage

A Web page that can be navigated to in a Web browser to gain access to the catalog, a dataset, its distributions and/or additional information.

type

array

default

[]

items

Link

  • stableTargetId

Identifier

  • technicalAccessibility

Indicates form if the platform can be accessed only within RKI network (internally) or if the platform is accessible publicly (externally).

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/technical-accessibility-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/technical-accessibility

Concept

  • title

The name of the access platform.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • unitInCharge

This property refers to agents who assume responsibility and accountability for the resource and its appropriate maintenance.

type

array

default

[]

items

Organizational Unit

Activity

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/activity

An activity carried out by RKI. This may be a research activity, such as a funded project, or a task that RKI performs under federal law. Activities provide useful context information for resources.

type

object

properties

  • abstract

A short text describing the activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • activityType

The type of the activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/activity-type-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/activity-type

Concept

  • alternativeTitle

Another name for the activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • contact

An agent serving as a contact for the activity.

type

array

items

anyOf

Organizational Unit

Person

Contact Point

minItems

1

  • documentation

A link to a document, that contains the documentation of the activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

Link

  • end

(Planned) end of the activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

anyOf

type

string

examples

2014-08-24

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])$

type

string

examples

2019-03

pattern

\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])$

type

string

examples

2024

pattern

^\\d{4}$

  • externalAssociate

An external institution or person, that is associated with the activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

anyOf

Organization

Person

  • funderOrCommissioner

An agent, that has either funded or commissioned the activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

Organization

  • fundingProgram

The program in which the activity is funded, e.g. Horizon2020.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

  • hadPrimarySource

A primary source for a topic refers to something produced by some agent with direct experience and knowledge about the topic, at the time of the topic’s study, without benefit from hindsight. Because of the directness of primary sources, they ‘speak for themselves’ in ways that cannot be captured through the filter of secondary sources. As such, it is important for secondary sources to reference those primary sources from which they were derived, so that their reliability can be investigated. A primary source relation is a particular case of derivation of secondary materials from their primary sources. It is recognized that the determination of primary sources can be up to interpretation, and should be done according to conventions accepted within the application’s domain ([PROV-O, 2013-04-30 ](http://www.w3.org/TR/2013/REC-prov-o-20130430/)).

Primary Source

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

Identifier

  • identifierInPrimarySource

The identifier of the item used in the primary source.

type

string

examples

123456

item-501

D7/x4/zz.final3

maxLength

1000

minLength

1

pattern

^[^\\n\\r]+$

  • involvedPerson

A person involved in the activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

Person

  • involvedUnit

An organizational unit that is involved in the activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

Organizational Unit

  • isPartOfActivity

Another activity, this activity is part of.

type

array

default

[]

items

Activity

  • publication

A publication related to the activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

BibliographicResource

  • responsibleUnit

A unit, that is responsible for the activity.

type

array

items

Organizational Unit

minItems

1

  • shortName

A short name for, or an abbreviated title of, the activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • stableTargetId

Identifier

  • start

The start of the activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

anyOf

type

string

examples

2014-08-24

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])$

type

string

examples

2019-03

pattern

\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])$

type

string

examples

2024

pattern

^\\d{4}$

  • succeeds

Another activity, that ended with the start of the described activity. A follow-up activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

Activity

  • theme

The main theme or subject of the activity.

type

array

default

[]

items

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/theme-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/theme

Concept

  • title

The official title of the activity.

type

array

items

Text

minItems

1

  • website

A web presentation of the activity, e.g. on the RKI homepage.

type

array

default

[]

items

Link

BibliographicResource

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/bibliographic-resource

A book, article, or other documentary resource.

type

object

properties

  • abstract

An account of the publication.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • accessRestriction

Indicates how access to the publication is restricted.

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/access-restriction-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/access-restriction

Concept

  • alternateIdentifier

Another identifier used for the reference.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

  • alternativeTitle

Another title for the publication.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • bibliographicResourceType

The type of bibliographic resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/bibliographic-resource-type-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/bibliographic-resource-type

Concept

  • contributingUnit

An organizational unit of RKI, that is contributing to the publication.

type

array

default

[]

items

Organizational Unit

  • creator

The author of the publication.

type

array

items

Person

minItems

1

  • distribution

An available distribution of the publication ([DCAT, 2020-02-04](https://www.w3.org/TR/2020/REC-vocab-dcat-2-20200204/))

type

array

default

[]

items

Distribution

  • doi

The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) of the publication.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2441-8_7

https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.46.2200849

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.868887

http://dx.doi.org/10.25646/5147

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.11.065

pattern

^(((http)|(https))://(dx.)?doi.org/)(10.\\d{4,9}/[-.\_;()/:A-Z0-9]+)$

type

null

  • edition

The edition of the publication.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

5

Band 2,1

Band 2,2

3rd edition

type

null

  • editor

The editor of the publication.

type

array

default

[]

items

Person

  • editorOfSeries

The editor of the series.

type

array

default

[]

items

Person

  • hadPrimarySource

A primary source for a topic refers to something produced by some agent with direct experience and knowledge about the topic, at the time of the topic’s study, without benefit from hindsight. Because of the directness of primary sources, they ‘speak for themselves’ in ways that cannot be captured through the filter of secondary sources. As such, it is important for secondary sources to reference those primary sources from which they were derived, so that their reliability can be investigated. A primary source relation is a particular case of derivation of secondary materials from their primary sources. It is recognized that the determination of primary sources can be up to interpretation, and should be done according to conventions accepted within the application’s domain ([PROV-O, 2013-04-30 ](http://www.w3.org/TR/2013/REC-prov-o-20130430/)).

Primary Source

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

Identifier

  • identifierInPrimarySource

The identifier of the item used in the primary source.

type

string

examples

123456

item-501

D7/x4/zz.final3

maxLength

1000

minLength

1

pattern

^[^\\n\\r]+$

  • isbnIssn

Either the ISBN (for books) or ISSN (for periodicals) of the publication.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

ISBN 90-70002-34-5

ISBN 90-70002-34-x

ISBN 90-70002-34-5x

ISBN 90-700-02-34-5

ISBN: 978-3-642-11746-6

978-3-642-11746-6

ISSN 0176-6996

ISSN 1430-855X

1430-8551

1467-9442

  • issue

The issue of the periodical.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

2

Q3

11/12

Winter ‘23

type

null

  • issued

Date of formal issuance of the publication ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

2022-09-30T20:48:35Z

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])T(?:[0-1][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9]Z$

type

string

examples

2014-08-24

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])$

type

string

examples

2019-03

pattern

\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])$

type

string

examples

2024

pattern

^\\d{4}$

type

null

  • journal

The periodical in which the article was published.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • keyword

A keyword or tag describing the resource ([DCAT, 2020-02-04](https://www.w3.org/TR/2020/REC-vocab-dcat-2-20200204/)).

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • language

The language in which the publication was written.

type

array

default

[]

items

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/language-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/language

Concept

  • license

A legal document giving official permission to do something with the publication ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

default

None

anyOf

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/license-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/license

Concept

type

null

  • pages

The range of pages or a single page.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

1

45-67

45 - 67

II

XI

10i

type

null

  • publicationPlace

The place where the document was issued.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

Berlin

Chigago

NYC/NY

Tampa, FL

type

null

  • publicationYear

The year in which the publication was issued.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

2024

pattern

^\\d{4}$

type

null

  • publisher

An entity responsible for making the publication available ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

type

array

default

[]

items

Organization

  • repositoryURL

The handle of the publication in the repository, where the publication is stored.

default

None

anyOf

Link

type

null

  • section

The name of the chapter of the publication, the book section belongs to.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

Kapitel 1

A Section About Public Health

Chapter XII: The History of Public Health

12

A

type

null

  • stableTargetId

Identifier

  • subtitle

The subtitle of the publication.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • title

The full title of the publication.

type

array

items

Text

minItems

1

  • titleOfBook

The title of the book in which the book section is published.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • titleOfSeries

The title of the book series, the book belongs to.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • volume

The volume of the periodical.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

2

Q3

11/12

Winter ‘23

type

null

  • volumeOfSeries

The volume of the periodical series.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

2

Q3

11/12

Winter ‘23

type

null

Contact Point

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/contact-point

A mail address, where a group of people has access to.

type

object

properties

  • email

The email address associated to the contact point.

type

array

items

type

string

examples

info@rki.de

pattern

^[^@ \\t\\r\\n]+@[^@ \\t\\r\\n]+\\.[^@ \\t\\r\\n]+$

format

email

minItems

1

  • hadPrimarySource

A primary source for a topic refers to something produced by some agent with direct experience and knowledge about the topic, at the time of the topic’s study, without benefit from hindsight. Because of the directness of primary sources, they ‘speak for themselves’ in ways that cannot be captured through the filter of secondary sources. As such, it is important for secondary sources to reference those primary sources from which they were derived, so that their reliability can be investigated. A primary source relation is a particular case of derivation of secondary materials from their primary sources. It is recognized that the determination of primary sources can be up to interpretation, and should be done according to conventions accepted within the application’s domain ([PROV-O, 2013-04-30 ](http://www.w3.org/TR/2013/REC-prov-o-20130430/)).

Primary Source

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

Identifier

  • identifierInPrimarySource

The identifier of the item used in the primary source.

type

string

examples

123456

item-501

D7/x4/zz.final3

maxLength

1000

minLength

1

pattern

^[^\\n\\r]+$

  • stableTargetId

Identifier

Distribution

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/distribution

A specific representation of a dataset. A dataset might be available in multiple serializations that may differ in various ways, including natural language, media-type or format, schematic organization, temporal and spatial resolution, level of detail or profiles (which might specify any or all of the above) ([DCAT, 2020-02-04](https://www.w3.org/TR/2020/REC-vocab-dcat-2-20200204/)).

type

object

properties

  • accessRestriction

Indicates how access to the distribution is restricted.

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/access-restriction-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/access-restriction

Concept

  • accessService

A data service that gives access to the distribution of the dataset ([DCAT, 2020-02-04](https://www.w3.org/TR/2020/REC-vocab-dcat-2-20200204/)).

default

None

anyOf

Access Platform

type

null

  • accessURL

A URL of the resource that gives access to a distribution of the dataset. E.g. landing page, feed, SPARQL endpoint ([DCAT, 2020-02-04](https://www.w3.org/TR/2020/REC-vocab-dcat-2-20200204/)).

type

array

default

[]

items

anyOf

Link

  • downloadURL

The URL of the downloadable file in a given format. E.g. CSV file or RDF file. The format is indicated by the distribution’s dcat:mediaType ([DCAT, 2020-02-04](https://www.w3.org/TR/2020/REC-vocab-dcat-2-20200204/)).

type

array

default

[]

items

anyOf

Link

  • hadPrimarySource

A primary source for a topic refers to something produced by some agent with direct experience and knowledge about the topic, at the time of the topic’s study, without benefit from hindsight. Because of the directness of primary sources, they ‘speak for themselves’ in ways that cannot be captured through the filter of secondary sources. As such, it is important for secondary sources to reference those primary sources from which they were derived, so that their reliability can be investigated. A primary source relation is a particular case of derivation of secondary materials from their primary sources. It is recognized that the determination of primary sources can be up to interpretation, and should be done according to conventions accepted within the application’s domain ([PROV-O, 2013-04-30 ](http://www.w3.org/TR/2013/REC-prov-o-20130430/)).

Primary Source

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

Identifier

  • identifierInPrimarySource

The identifier of the item used in the primary source.

type

string

examples

123456

item-501

D7/x4/zz.final3

maxLength

1000

minLength

1

pattern

^[^\\n\\r]+$

  • issued

Date of formal issuance of the resource ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

anyOf

type

string

examples

2022-09-30T20:48:35Z

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])T(?:[0-1][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9]Z$

type

string

examples

2014-08-24

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])$

type

string

examples

2019-03

pattern

\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])$

type

string

examples

2024

pattern

^\\d{4}$

  • license

A legal document giving official permission to do something with the resource ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

default

None

anyOf

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/license-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/license

Concept

type

null

  • mediaType

The media type of the distribution as defined by [IANA media types](https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/) ([DCAT, 2020-02-04](https://www.w3.org/TR/2020/REC-vocab-dcat-2-20200204/)).

default

None

anyOf

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/mime-type-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/mime-type

Concept

type

null

  • modified

Date on which the resource was changed ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

2022-09-30T20:48:35Z

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])T(?:[0-1][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9]Z$

type

string

examples

2014-08-24

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])$

type

string

examples

2019-03

pattern

\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])$

type

string

examples

2024

pattern

^\\d{4}$

type

null

  • stableTargetId

Identifier

  • title

The name of the distribution.

type

string

examples

theNameOfTheFile

minLength

1

Organization

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/organization

Represents a collection of people organized together into a community or other social, commercial or political structure. The group has some common purpose or reason for existence which goes beyond the set of people belonging to it and can act as an Agent. Organizations are often decomposable into hierarchical structures ([The Organization Ontology, 2014-01-16](http://www.w3.org/TR/2014/REC-vocab-org-20140116/)).

type

object

properties

  • alternativeName

An alternative name for the organization

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • geprisId

Identifier from GEPRIS authority file.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/institution/10179

pattern

^https://gepris\\.dfg\\.de/gepris/institution/[0-9]{1,64}$

format

uri

  • gndId

An identifier from the German authority file named Gemeinsame Normdatei (GND), curated by the German National Library (DNB).

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

https://d-nb.info/gnd/17690-4

pattern

^https://d\\-nb\\.info/gnd/[-X0-9]{3,10}$

format

uri

  • hadPrimarySource

A primary source for a topic refers to something produced by some agent with direct experience and knowledge about the topic, at the time of the topic’s study, without benefit from hindsight. Because of the directness of primary sources, they ‘speak for themselves’ in ways that cannot be captured through the filter of secondary sources. As such, it is important for secondary sources to reference those primary sources from which they were derived, so that their reliability can be investigated. A primary source relation is a particular case of derivation of secondary materials from their primary sources. It is recognized that the determination of primary sources can be up to interpretation, and should be done according to conventions accepted within the application’s domain ([PROV-O, 2013-04-30 ](http://www.w3.org/TR/2013/REC-prov-o-20130430/)).

Primary Source

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

Identifier

  • identifierInPrimarySource

The identifier of the item used in the primary source.

type

string

examples

123456

item-501

D7/x4/zz.final3

maxLength

1000

minLength

1

pattern

^[^\\n\\r]+$

  • isniId

The ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier) of the organization.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

https://isni.org/isni/0000000109403744

pattern

^https://isni\\.org/isni/[X0-9]{16}$

format

uri

  • officialName

The official name of the organization.

type

array

items

Text

minItems

1

  • rorId

An identifier of the Research Organization Registry (ROR).

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

https://ror.org/01k5qnb77

pattern

^https://ror\\.org/[a-z0-9]{9}$

format

uri

  • shortName

A short name or abbreviation of the organization.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • stableTargetId

Identifier

  • viafId

Identifier from VIAF (Virtual Authority File).

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

https://viaf.org/viaf/123556639

pattern

^https://viaf\\.org/viaf/[0-9]{2,22}$

format

uri

  • wikidataId

Identifier from Wikidata.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q679041

pattern

^https://www\\.wikidata\\.org/entity/[PQ0-9]{2,64}$

format

uri

Organizational Unit

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/organizational-unit

An Organization such as a department or support unit which is part of some larger Organization and only has full recognition within the context of that Organization. In particular the unit would not be regarded as a legal entity in its own right.

type

object

properties

  • alternativeName

An alternative name for the organizational unit.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • email

The email address through which the organizational unit can be contacted.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

info@rki.de

pattern

^[^@ \\t\\r\\n]+@[^@ \\t\\r\\n]+\\.[^@ \\t\\r\\n]+$

format

email

  • hadPrimarySource

A primary source for a topic refers to something produced by some agent with direct experience and knowledge about the topic, at the time of the topic’s study, without benefit from hindsight. Because of the directness of primary sources, they ‘speak for themselves’ in ways that cannot be captured through the filter of secondary sources. As such, it is important for secondary sources to reference those primary sources from which they were derived, so that their reliability can be investigated. A primary source relation is a particular case of derivation of secondary materials from their primary sources. It is recognized that the determination of primary sources can be up to interpretation, and should be done according to conventions accepted within the application’s domain ([PROV-O, 2013-04-30 ](http://www.w3.org/TR/2013/REC-prov-o-20130430/)).

Primary Source

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

Identifier

  • identifierInPrimarySource

The identifier of the item used in the primary source.

type

string

examples

123456

item-501

D7/x4/zz.final3

maxLength

1000

minLength

1

pattern

^[^\\n\\r]+$

  • name

The official name of the organizational unit.

type

array

items

Text

minItems

1

  • parentUnit

The described unit is a subunit of another organizational unit.

default

None

anyOf

Organizational Unit

type

null

  • shortName

A short name or abbreviation of the organization unit.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • stableTargetId

Identifier

  • unitOf

Indicates an organization of which this unit is a part, e.g. a department within a larger organization.

type

array

default

[]

items

Organization

  • website

A URL serving as the official web presentation of the organizational unit.

type

array

default

[]

items

Link

Person

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/person

A person ([FOAF, 2004-05-01](http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/)). This class comprises real persons who live or are assumed to have lived ([CIDOC CRM, version 7.1.1](https://cidoc-crm.org/html/cidoc_crm_v7.1.1.html)).

type

object

properties

  • affiliation

An organization that the described person is affiliated with.

type

array

default

[]

items

Organization

  • email

The email address through which the person can be contacted.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

info@rki.de

pattern

^[^@ \\t\\r\\n]+@[^@ \\t\\r\\n]+\\.[^@ \\t\\r\\n]+$

format

email

  • familyName

The name inherited from the family.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

Patapoutian

Skłodowska-Curie

Muta Maathai

  • fullName

The full name of a person. Also used if the naming schema (given name and family name) does not apply to the name.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

Juturna Felicitás

  1. Berhanu

Keone Seong-Hyeon

  • givenName

The name given to the person e.g. by their parents.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

Romāns

Marie Salomea

May-Britt

  • hadPrimarySource

A primary source for a topic refers to something produced by some agent with direct experience and knowledge about the topic, at the time of the topic’s study, without benefit from hindsight. Because of the directness of primary sources, they ‘speak for themselves’ in ways that cannot be captured through the filter of secondary sources. As such, it is important for secondary sources to reference those primary sources from which they were derived, so that their reliability can be investigated. A primary source relation is a particular case of derivation of secondary materials from their primary sources. It is recognized that the determination of primary sources can be up to interpretation, and should be done according to conventions accepted within the application’s domain ([PROV-O, 2013-04-30 ](http://www.w3.org/TR/2013/REC-prov-o-20130430/)).

Primary Source

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

Identifier

  • identifierInPrimarySource

The identifier of the item used in the primary source.

type

string

examples

123456

item-501

D7/x4/zz.final3

maxLength

1000

minLength

1

pattern

^[^\\n\\r]+$

  • isniId

The ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier) of the person.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

https://isni.org/isni/0000000109403744

pattern

^https://isni\\.org/isni/[X0-9]{16}$

format

uri

  • memberOf

Organizational unit at RKI the person is associated with.

type

array

default

[]

items

Organizational Unit

  • orcidId

Identifier of a person from the ORCID authority file.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9079-593X

pattern

^https://orcid\\.org/[-X0-9]{9,21}$

format

uri

  • stableTargetId

Identifier

Primary Source

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/primary-source

A collection of information, that is managed and curated by an RKI unit and lists activities and/or resources.

type

object

properties

  • alternativeTitle

An alternative name for the primary source

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • contact

An agent that serves as a contact for the primary source.

type

array

default

[]

items

anyOf

Organizational Unit

Person

Contact Point

  • description

A short description of the primary source.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • documentation

A link to a document documenting the primary source.

type

array

default

[]

items

Link

  • hadPrimarySource

A primary source for a topic refers to something produced by some agent with direct experience and knowledge about the topic, at the time of the topic’s study, without benefit from hindsight. Because of the directness of primary sources, they ‘speak for themselves’ in ways that cannot be captured through the filter of secondary sources. As such, it is important for secondary sources to reference those primary sources from which they were derived, so that their reliability can be investigated. A primary source relation is a particular case of derivation of secondary materials from their primary sources. It is recognized that the determination of primary sources can be up to interpretation, and should be done according to conventions accepted within the application’s domain ([PROV-O, 2013-04-30 ](http://www.w3.org/TR/2013/REC-prov-o-20130430/)).

Primary Source

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

Identifier

  • identifierInPrimarySource

The identifier of the item used in the primary source.

type

string

examples

123456

item-501

D7/x4/zz.final3

maxLength

1000

minLength

1

pattern

^[^\\n\\r]+$

  • locatedAt

A URL that leads to the primary source or a filepath, where the primary source is stored.

type

array

default

[]

items

Link

  • stableTargetId

Identifier

  • title

The name of the primary source.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • unitInCharge

This property refers to agents who assume responsibility and accountability for the primary source and its appropriate maintenance.

type

array

default

[]

items

Organizational Unit

  • version

The version of the primary source, e.g. the date of the last modification.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

v1

2023-01-16

Schema 9

type

null

Resource

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/resource

A defined piece of information or collection of information on Public Health, that has been generated as part of a (research) activity at the RKI or to comply with a (federal) law or regulation that applies to the RKI.

type

object

properties

  • accessPlatform

A platform from which the resource can be accessed.

type

array

default

[]

items

Access Platform

  • accessRestriction

Indicates how access to the resource is restricted.

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/access-restriction-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/access-restriction

Concept

  • accrualPeriodicity

The frequency with which items are added to a collection.

default

None

anyOf

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/frequency-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/frequency

Concept

type

null

  • alternativeTitle

An alternative name for the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • anonymizationPseudonymization

Indicates whether the data has been anonymized and/or pseudonymized.

type

array

default

[]

items

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/anonymization-pseudonymization-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/anonymization-pseudonymization

Concept

  • conformsTo

Standards used in the creation, analysis or transmission of the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

FHIR

LOINC

SNOMED

ICD-10

  • contact

An agent that serves as a contact for the resource.

type

array

items

anyOf

Organizational Unit

Person

Contact Point

minItems

1

  • contributingUnit

An organizational unit of RKI, that is contributing to the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Organizational Unit

  • contributor

A person involved in the creation of the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Person

  • created

Date of creation of the resource

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

2022-09-30T20:48:35Z

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])T(?:[0-1][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9]Z$

type

string

examples

2014-08-24

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])$

type

string

examples

2019-03

pattern

\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])$

type

string

examples

2024

pattern

^\\d{4}$

type

null

  • creator

A person responsible for making the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Person

  • description

A text describing the nature of the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • distribution

An available distribution of the resource

type

array

default

[]

items

Distribution

  • documentation

A link to a document documenting the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Link

  • doi

The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) of the resource.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2441-8_7

https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.46.2200849

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.868887

http://dx.doi.org/10.25646/5147

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.11.065

pattern

^(((http)|(https))://(dx.)?doi.org/)(10.\\d{4,9}/[-.\_;()/:A-Z0-9]+)$

type

null

  • externalPartner

An external organization that is somehow involved in the creation of the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Organization

  • hadPrimarySource

A primary source for a topic refers to something produced by some agent with direct experience and knowledge about the topic, at the time of the topic’s study, without benefit from hindsight. Because of the directness of primary sources, they ‘speak for themselves’ in ways that cannot be captured through the filter of secondary sources. As such, it is important for secondary sources to reference those primary sources from which they were derived, so that their reliability can be investigated. A primary source relation is a particular case of derivation of secondary materials from their primary sources. It is recognized that the determination of primary sources can be up to interpretation, and should be done according to conventions accepted within the application’s domain ([PROV-O, 2013-04-30 ](http://www.w3.org/TR/2013/REC-prov-o-20130430/)).

Primary Source

  • hasLegalBasis

The legal basis used to justify processing of personal data. Legal basis (plural: legal bases) are defined by legislations and regulations, whose applicability is usually restricted to specific jurisdictions which can be represented using dpv:hasJurisdiction or dpv:hasLaw. Legal basis can be used without such declarations, e.g. ‘Consent’, however their interpretation will require association with a law, e.g. ‘EU GDPR’.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • hasPersonalData

Indicates, if a resource contains data directly or indirectly associated or related to an individual.

default

None

anyOf

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/personal-data-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/personal-data

Concept

type

null

  • icd10code

A concept from ICD-10.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

Identifier

  • identifierInPrimarySource

The identifier of the item used in the primary source.

type

string

examples

123456

item-501

D7/x4/zz.final3

maxLength

1000

minLength

1

pattern

^[^\\n\\r]+$

  • instrumentToolOrApparatus

Instrument, tool, or apparatus used in the research, analysis, observation, or processing of the object that is the subject of this resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • isPartOf

A related resource, in which the described resource is physically or logically included.

type

array

default

[]

items

Resource

  • keyword

A keyword or tag describing the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • language

A language of the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/language-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/language

Concept

  • license

A legal document giving official permission to do something with the resource.

default

None

anyOf

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/license-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/license

Concept

type

null

  • loincId

A concept from LOINC.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

https://loinc.org/95209-3

https://loinc.org/LA26211-5

pattern

^https://loinc.org/([a-zA-z]\*)|(([0-9]\*(-[0-9])\*))$

format

uri

  • maxTypicalAge

Specifies the maximum age of the population within the data collection, expressed in years.

default

None

anyOf

type

integer

examples

99

21

type

null

  • meshId

A concept from MeSH.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D001604

pattern

^http://id\\.nlm\\.nih\\.gov/mesh/[A-Z0-9]{2,64}$

format

uri

  • method

Method used in the research, analysis, observation or processing of the object that is subject to the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • methodDescription

The description of the method, that was used to research, analysis, observation or processing of the object that was subject to the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • minTypicalAge

Specifies the minimum age of the population within the data collection, expressed in years.

default

None

anyOf

type

integer

examples

0

18

type

null

  • modified

Date on which the resource was changed.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

2022-09-30T20:48:35Z

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])T(?:[0-1][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9]Z$

type

string

examples

2014-08-24

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])$

type

string

examples

2019-03

pattern

\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])$

type

string

examples

2024

pattern

^\\d{4}$

type

null

  • populationCoverage

The type of population common to all subjects of the data collection.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • publication

A publication that deals with the research, analysis, observation or processing of the object that was subject to the resource, e.g. a research paper.

type

array

default

[]

items

BibliographicResource

  • publisher

The entity responsible for making the item available.

type

array

default

[]

items

Organization

  • qualityInformation

Some information about the quality of the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • resourceCreationMethod

Method how the resource was created.

type

array

default

[]

items

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/resource-creation-method-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/resource-creation-method

Concept

  • resourceTypeGeneral

General type of the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/resource-type-general-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/resource-type-general

Concept

  • resourceTypeSpecific

A term describing the specific nature of the resource. A more precise term than given by the property ‘resourceTypeGeneral’.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • rights

Information about rights held in and over the resource as well as rights about the possibilities of the usage of the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • sizeOfDataBasis

The size of the underlying data basis, e.g. for studies: the size of the sample.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

type

null

  • spatial

Spatial coverage of the resource.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • stableTargetId

Identifier

  • stateOfDataProcessing

The processing state of the data, e.g. raw or aggregated.

type

array

default

[]

items

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/data-processing-state-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/data-processing-state

Concept

  • temporal

Temporal coverage of the resource.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

2022-09-30T20:48:35Z

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])T(?:[0-1][0-9]|2[0-3]):[0-5][0-9]:[0-5][0-9]Z$

type

string

examples

2014-08-24

pattern

^\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])-(?:0[1-9]|[12][0-9]|3[01])$

type

string

examples

2019-03

pattern

\\d{4}-(?:0[1-9]|1[0-2])$

type

string

examples

2024

pattern

^\\d{4}$

type

string

examples

2022-01 bis 2022-03

Sommer 2023

nach 2013

1998-2008

type

null

  • theme

A main category of the resource. A resource can have multiple themes.

type

array

items

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/theme-1

useScheme

https://mex.rki.de/item/theme

Concept

minItems

1

  • title

The name of the resource.

type

array

items

Text

minItems

1

  • unitInCharge

This property refers to agents who assume responsibility and accountability for the resource and its appropriate maintenance.

type

array

items

Organizational Unit

minItems

1

  • wasGeneratedBy

Generation is the completion of production of a new entity by an activity. This entity did not exist before generation and becomes available for usage after this generation.

default

None

anyOf

Activity

type

null

Variable Group

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/variable-group

The grouping of variables according to a certain aspect, e.g. how the information is modelled in the primary source.

type

object

properties

  • containedBy

The resource, the variable group is contained by. Used to connect a variable group to its resource.

type

array

items

Resource

minItems

1

  • hadPrimarySource

A primary source for a topic refers to something produced by some agent with direct experience and knowledge about the topic, at the time of the topic’s study, without benefit from hindsight. Because of the directness of primary sources, they ‘speak for themselves’ in ways that cannot be captured through the filter of secondary sources. As such, it is important for secondary sources to reference those primary sources from which they were derived, so that their reliability can be investigated. A primary source relation is a particular case of derivation of secondary materials from their primary sources. It is recognized that the determination of primary sources can be up to interpretation, and should be done according to conventions accepted within the application’s domain ([PROV-O, 2013-04-30 ](http://www.w3.org/TR/2013/REC-prov-o-20130430/)).

Primary Source

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

Identifier

  • identifierInPrimarySource

The identifier of the item used in the primary source.

type

string

examples

123456

item-501

D7/x4/zz.final3

maxLength

1000

minLength

1

pattern

^[^\\n\\r]+$

  • label

The name of the variable group.

type

array

items

Text

minItems

1

  • stableTargetId

Identifier

Variable

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/variable

Variables are defined for the data-based evaluation of investigations (e.g. studies). A variable is characterized by its data type (e.g. integer, string, date) and value range. The variable can be either quantitative or qualitative, i.e. the value range can take numerical or categorical values.

type

object

properties

  • belongsTo

The variable group, the described variable is part of. Used to group variables together, depending on how they are structured in the primary source.

type

array

default

[]

items

Variable Group

  • codingSystem

An established standard to which the described resource conforms ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

SF-36 Version 1

type

null

  • dataType

The defined data type of the variable.

default

None

anyOf

type

string

examples

integer

string

image

int55

number

type

null

  • description

A description of the variable. How the variable is defined in the primary source.

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • hadPrimarySource

A primary source for a topic refers to something produced by some agent with direct experience and knowledge about the topic, at the time of the topic’s study, without benefit from hindsight. Because of the directness of primary sources, they ‘speak for themselves’ in ways that cannot be captured through the filter of secondary sources. As such, it is important for secondary sources to reference those primary sources from which they were derived, so that their reliability can be investigated. A primary source relation is a particular case of derivation of secondary materials from their primary sources. It is recognized that the determination of primary sources can be up to interpretation, and should be done according to conventions accepted within the application’s domain ([PROV-O, 2013-04-30 ](http://www.w3.org/TR/2013/REC-prov-o-20130430/)).

Primary Source

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

Identifier

  • identifierInPrimarySource

The identifier of the item used in the primary source.

type

string

examples

123456

item-501

D7/x4/zz.final3

maxLength

1000

minLength

1

pattern

^[^\\n\\r]+$

  • label

type

array

items

The name of the variable.

examples

language

de

value

Mehrere Treppenabsätze steigen

Text

minItems

1

  • stableTargetId

Identifier

  • usedIn

The resource, the variable is used in.

type

array

items

Resource

minItems

1

  • valueSet

A set of predefined values as given in the primary source.

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

examples

Ja, stark eingeschränkt

Ja, etwas eingeschränkt

Nein, überhaupt nicht eingeschränkt

Concepts

Concept Scheme

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/concept-scheme

type

object

properties

  • description

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

type

string

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/Xc124df

pattern

^https://mex\\.rki\\.de/item/[\\w\\d]+$

format

uri

  • label

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

Concept

https://mex.rki.de/schema/entities/concept

type

object

properties

  • altLabel

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • broader

type

array

default

[]

items

Concept

  • definition

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • exactMatch

type

array

default

[]

items

type

string

format

uri

  • identifier

An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Persistent identifiers should be provided as HTTP URIs ([DCT, 2020-01-20](http://dublincore.org/specifications/dublin-core/dcmi-terms/2020-01-20/)).

type

string

examples

https://mex.rki.de/item/Xc124df

pattern

^https://mex\\.rki\\.de/item/[\\w\\d]+$

format

uri

  • inScheme

Concept Scheme

  • notation

type

string

examples

1.0

1.1

C01.100.500

  • note

type

array

default

[]

items

Text

  • prefLabel

type

array

items

Text

minItems

1

Vocabularies

Available concepts (aka vocabularies) are coming soon. In the meantime, see mex/model/vocabularies.