Read the Direction of Dataset Relationships

Read each relationship as a sentence

Start at the metadata record for the item you are investigating. Write a short statement with that item as subject, its relation type as verb, and the linked identifier as object. For example, a dataset that is a supplement to an article has a different role from a dataset that cites an article. DataCite documents the direction of each relationship and its inverse.

Open the linked landing page and identify what is actually available. A component of a collection may contain only one time period or instrument. Record the source identifier, relation type, linked identifier, observed scope, and what the review needs from the file. An absent reciprocal link can reflect incomplete metadata and should trigger a check of the repository description.

Audit a hypothetical collection

A repository record links to six objects. Two are parts of a collection, three are articles cited by the record, and one is a descriptive document. The retrieval team therefore has two component datasets to inspect. Counting all six targets as datasets would inflate the component count by four and could send a reviewer searching for data in three reference articles.

Retain each relationship as a separate row. When the same object plays several roles, keep the distinct roles with their sources. A direct link to the article's data availability statement provides an additional check before assigning a dataset to an analysis.

DataCite related identifier documentation

Related worksheet: Related-identifier direction worksheet.

Source checked on 5 November 2026.