Document Vocabulary Encoding Scheme

Namespace: http://www.lawi.gov.au/lawi/terms/
Term URI: http://www.lawi.gov.au/lawi/terms/lawi-document
HTML/XHTML scheme syntax: LAWITERMS.lawi-document
XML/RDF scheme syntax: lawiterms:lawi-document
The documentType property provides information about document types when a resource is a document. The LAWI Document Vocabulary Encoding Scheme is a controlled list of terms for providing document type values in LAWI metadata records.
This list describes the logical form of the resource and is not governed by the format of the document. Document types described may be digital or non-digital.
This list is not exhaustive and the LAWI Maintenance Agency invites suggestions for additions.
Preferred document types
Document type Scope
act An act of Commonwealth, state or territory legislatures.
agenda A list of issues or activities used as a schedule or program for an event, conference, forum or meeting.
agreement A summary or record of an arrangement between two or more parties.
blog Ongoing online commentary by an individual or organisation.
checklist Any listing of items or entries provided for reference purposes, including an inventory, register, directory or index. Use ‘dataset’ for bibliographic data or catalogues.
contract An agreement between two or more parties for the delivery of a product, provision of a service, or management of a resource.
dataset Structured information encoded in lists, tables, databases etc, (eg, spreadsheets, databases, GIS data). Data may be numeric, spatial, spectral, statistical or structured text (including bibliographic data and database reports).
diary Information arranged in calendar order documenting appointments and engagements. Use ‘journal’ for information arranged in calendar order documenting events, business or proceedings.
digital certificate Any form of electronic code that describes or provides permission to access a resource.
digital signature Any form of electronic code used to simulate the security properties of a handwritten signature or to establish authenticity.
electronic message Any electronically mediated communication. This includes but is not limited to electronic mail, text messages, instant messages, electronic voice messages, electronic video messages and computer conferencing.
fact sheet A summary of information about a product, service, organisation, event or topic.
form A structured solicitation of input from a user (eg, comments, a survey or an order). For forms used to provide a service (eg, enquiries, registrations, or orders and purchases) use category value ‘service’ and select an appropriate value from the list of service types instead.
government gazette Regular formal publication produced by government that may include vacancies, appointments, bulletins, notices and legislative directives.
guidelines The primary purpose of the resource is to present factual information, advice or guidance about an organisation, event or service. Most general advisory pages on government websites will be of this document type. Use ‘instructional’ for resources that provide directions rather than information.
homepage The introductory page or major entry point for a site on the Internet. In most cases an organisation will have only one resource of this document type, except where there is likely to be a public perception that a distinct business unit stands alone as an organisational entity.
index Any listing of items or entries provided for reference or navigation purposes, including an inventory, register or directory.
instruction Resources in which the primary purpose is to provide instructions or directions (eg, how to write a report; how to register for a service). Includes manuals, handbooks, tutorials and quizzes. Use ‘guidelines’ for resources which have primarily informational content.
journal A record or register of events, business or proceedings.
legislation A legal mandate containing written laws apporved by Commonwealth, state or territory parliaments.
letter A written or printed communication addressed to a person or a number of persons, including scanned versions of written or printed communications, but excludes scanned versions of written or printed messages.
log A chronological listing of actions, observations, data or transactions.
mandate Any other legal instrument not listed here.
media release Resources specifically designed to provide a brief public statement on an issue or event, via the mass media.
meeting minutes A summary or record of proceedings of a meeting.
memorandum A note describing something to be remembered or acted upon in the future.
metadata Data describing the context, content, structure and organisation of records and other information.
minute A form of correspondence acting as an official note or memorandum, usually recording an action or decision, or seeking approval for a course of action.
moving image A form of visual representation other than text, involving moving pictures, animation, video or film, with or without audio. For some resources it may be appropriate to use a combination of document types. (For example: video recording of an exhibition opening specify document types as ‘promotion; moving image’.)
note for file A summary or record of a less formal meeting or ad hoc discussion (including by telephone).
other Any document form not listed here.
policy statement A major formal publication detailing a course or line of action adopted and pursued by the organisation. Includes public accountability documents such as corporate directions and other strategic plans. Use ‘report’ for resources that convey the results of an inquiry, account for activities or document speeches and presentations.
procedure A sequence of actions or instructions to be followed.
presentation Any form of visual and/or verbal communication used to show or explain a topic to an audience.
promotion Descriptive or marketing information about an organisation or material that promotes its products, services, activities or collections (eg, ‘What’s New’ pages, brochures). Includes announcements.
regulation A legal mandate that exists in a piece of subsidiary legislation, a regulation issued pursuant to an act.
report A resource providing an account of organisational activity or a speech or presentation. Includes statements of the organisation’s opinion, a decision or the results of an inquiry. Use ‘dataset’ for database reports.
software Computer programs in source or compiled form which may be available for installation on another machine. For software that exists only to create an interactive environment use category value ‘service’ and choose the service type ‘communications forumÂ’ instead.
sound The content is a primarily audio representation, which may be ambient, effects, music, narration or speech. For some audio resources it may be appropriate to use a combination of document types. For example: sound recording of a presentation specify document types as ‘presentation; sound’.
standard A set of requirements and/or specifications that either requires compliance by a particular group or application, or recommends best practice in a particular field.
still image The content is primarily a still visual representation other than text. Includes electronic and physical representations such as images, photographs, diagrams, maps and graphics. For digital representations of physical resources, use a more specific document type where possible. (For example: a scanned media release use ‘media release; still image’).
wiki A collaborative website where content can be contributed or modified by users.
Deprecated and non-preferred document types
Document type Preferred value
audio Use ‘sound’.
image Use ‘still image’.
instructional Use ‘instruction’.
photograph Use ‘still image’.
promotional Use ‘promotion’.
recording Use ‘moving image’ or ‘sound’ as appropriate.
video Use ‘moving image’.
Examples
HTML

XHTML

XML

media release

promotion

policy statement

RDF

media release

promotion

moving image

policy statement