RADAR Release v1.23: New Metadata Schema v9.2 and Functional Improvements

Published: 23.09.2025

Overview

With the RADAR software v1.231 (f), available since September 23, 2025, we updated the RADAR metadata schema and implemented numerous improvements to make the daily work of administrators, curators, and subcurators easier.

These include an extended notification workflow with a free-text option, new statistics features at the workspace level, and - for RADAR Local - the option to integrate linked icons in the footer. These optimizations enhance transparency, usability, and visibility in research data management and are described in detail below.

In addition, the new software completes the TS4NFDI integration and enables the import of GitLab repositories (see separate RADAR News articles).

Integration of terminologies via the NFDI basic service TS4NFDI

see separate RADAR News

Import of GitLab repositories

see separate RADAR News

New RADAR Metadata Schema v9.2

We have updated the RADAR metadata schema and made pending adjustments to the current DataCite Kernel 4.6. In addition, our schema now supports the integration of standardized terminologies via TS4NFDI (see RADAR News).

The changes in detail:

Addition of the following new attributes for the keyword element:

  • ontologyURI
  • ontologyId

Replacement of the import "https://schema.datacite.org/meta/kernel-3/include/datacite-resourceType…" for the resourceType attribute by an own value list. The values in this new list are a selection from the controlled value list for the DataCite attribute resourceTypeGeneral (DataCite Metadata Schema 4.6). The majority of these values were already available in versions 09 and 9.1 of the RADAR metadata schema: 

  • Audiovisual
  • Collection
  • ComputationalNotebook
  • DataPaper
  • Dataset
  • Event
  • Image
  • InteractiveResource
  • Instrument
  • Model
  • PhysicalObject
  • Project
  • Service
  • Software
  • Sound
  • Standard
  • Text
  • Workflow
  • Other

Addition of the value "Translator" for the contributorType attribute

Addition of the following values for the relatedIdentifierType attribute:

  • „CSTR“
  • „RRID“

Addition of the following values for the relatedIdentifierType attribute:

  • „isCollectedBy”
  • „Collects“
  • „HasTranslation“
  • „IsTranslationOf“

All changes associated with the RADAR metadata schema v9.2 are now available via our form-based metadata editor, in the sample files for uploading annotations via XML file and via our RADAR REST API*.

The new schema v9.2 is backwards compatible with the previous schemas v09 and v9.1. 

They are also listed in the revision history of the respective schema:

Further information can be found on our support pages or directly in our metadata schema documentation (PDF, in German language). From page 3 onwards, all changes are listed there in a brief overview.


* When using the RADAR API, please note: due to the update of the metadata schema, replace "version" : "09" or "version" : "9.1" by "version" : "9.2" in the code block "POST body for creating a new dataset".

Improved information flow between suburator and curator

For some time now, subcurators have been able to initiate the next step in the curation process after completing the creation and annotation of a dataset by using the buttons “Ready for Archiving,” “Ready for Publishing,” or “Ready for Review” (RADAR News v1.16). The responsible curators are then automatically notified via email and informed about the pending task. 

This notification workflow has been further improved with the latest software release: automated emails can now be supplemented with a custom free text message. This allows subcurators to provide curators with additional context or information about the dataset - such as embargo periods for a publication - or to ask specific questions.

In addition to the optional message, the automated email also includes a direct link to the dataset and the email address of the subcurator, enabling easy and direct communication.

New Statistics Feature at Workspace Level

Contract administrators, curators, and subcurators can now access statistical information directly within the dashboard of a workspace. The display shows the currently used storage volume as well as the number of datasets in the temporary, archive, and publication storage areas.

The new statistics view is available in read-only mode and provides a transparent overview of resource usage within the respective workspace.

RADAR Local: New Option to Integrate Icons in the Footer

Institutions using RADAR Local can now have linked icons integrated into the footer of their local research data repository. For example, a re3data badge can be included that links directly to the corresponding registry entry. It is also possible to indicate membership in the DataCite consortium or – in the case of successful certification – to display the CoreTrustSeal. These visible links help to further strengthen trust in the research data repository – both among data providers and data users.

The technical implementation of the icon integration is currently carried out exclusively by FIZ Karlsruhe. If you are responsible for a RADAR Local instance and are interested in this feature, please feel free to contact us. 

At the same time, the footers of RADAR Cloud and our NFDI-specific services (RADAR4Chem, RADAR4Culture, RADAR4Memory) have also been supplemented with corresponding re3data links.

 

We hope to have optimised the scope of functions and user-friendliness with the new software v1.23 in your interest!

 

Note: This software release also affects the community-specific publicaion services for research data based on RADAR: