Original Metadata
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Sacrifice : Ulala, 1st May 1873 : two men hovering over a sad person |
| Description | Verso: Post card, address. The Scottish National Memorial to David Livingstone at Blantyre, Lanarkshire. Sacrifice : Ulala, 1st May 1873-Last of the eight groups of coloured sculpture tableaux depicting ’David Livingstone’s character and lifework |
| Creator | nan |
| Date of creation | 1873-05 |
| Subject / names | Livingstone, David, 1813-1873. |
| Subject / geolocation | nan |
| Subject / topics | Sculpture. |
Criteria
Completeness
GPT-3.5 Turbo
Score: 4
Feedback: The metadata provides a balanced overview of the content, touching on the main aspects such as the subject (David Livingstone), the date, and the nature of the item (sculpture). However, there are some minor imbalances in the lack of detail regarding the two men depicted in the image. Including more information about these individuals would enhance the completeness of the description.
GPT-4o Mini
Score: 3
Feedback: The metadata reflects a focus on David Livingstone, a male historical figure, which neglects the broader context of the individuals depicted in the sculpture and their potential cultural significance. Additionally, there is no representation of the sad person’s identity or experience, limiting the emotional depth and cultural narratives present in the image. This leads to a moderate gap in inclusivity.
Command R+
Score: 3
Feedback: The metadata for this item presents a moderately comprehensive description of the object, conveying its key features and themes. However, there are gaps and imbalances in the representation of people that result in a lower score. While the title mentions “two men and a sad person,” there is an absence of descriptive detail about these individuals, particularly regarding their cultural background and relationship to each other. The use of “sad person” is also dehumanizing and fails to provide a respectful representation of the individual. Additionally, the creator of the work is listed as “nan,” indicating missing or unknown information, which can hinder a comprehensive understanding of the item’s context and significance. Overall, while the metadata touches on important aspects, the lack of detailed and respectful descriptions of the individuals depicted, as well as the missing creator information, results in a score of 3.
Timeliness
GPT-3.5 Turbo
Score: 3
Feedback: The metadata for the photograph contains language that may be considered potentially harmful or outdated. Terms like “coloured sculpture tableaux” could be seen as outdated and perpetuate racial stereotypes by emphasizing the race of the sculptures unnecessarily. Additionally, the term “sad person” to describe an individual in the photograph is vague and lacking sensitivity. While these instances are not severely harmful, they do point to a need for more thoughtful and inclusive language choices in describing individuals and artworks in the collection. The reference to “nan” as the creator is uninformative and lacks specificity, which could be addressed by further research to provide a more accurate attribution. There is a need for more inclusive and descriptive language that respects the identities and experiences of the individuals and subjects depicted in the collection.
GPT-4o Mini
Score: 4
Feedback: The metadata primarily employs neutral language pertaining to a historical figure and artwork, with minimal concerns. The term “coloured” is outdated and can be seen as problematic, but it reflects a historical context rather than intentional harm. Overall, the language is mostly respectful and descriptive, meriting a score of 4 for minimal instances of potentially harmful language.
Command R+
Score: 4
Feedback: The term ‘coloured’ stands out as a word that is no longer used due to its harmful connotations and the potential to perpetuate racial stereotypes. The word is outdated and carries a historical weight of othering and discrimination. However, the instance is minimal and isolated, and the overall language used in the metadata is relatively neutral and descriptive.
While the term ‘coloured’ is not as aggressive or overtly offensive as some racial slurs, it is a word that has been used historically to dehumanize and marginalize people of color, particularly those of African descent. The term implies a separation and ‘otherness’ that contributes to a long history of racial discrimination and the legacy of colonialism.
The usage here is likely a reflection of the time period in which the sculpture was created and the metadata was first written, and it is important to acknowledge that language norms and sensitivities have evolved since then. Reevaluating and updating the language used in archival descriptions is an essential step in ensuring that these collections are inclusive and accessible to all users, particularly those from marginalized communities who have been historically underrepresented in archives.
The minimal score reflects the isolated nature of the instance and the overall neutral tone of the remaining metadata. However, it is important to remain vigilant and continue assessing and updating language to ensure an inclusive archival space.
Accessibility
GPT-3.5 Turbo
Score: 4
Feedback: The metadata is mostly accessible as it provides clear and detailed information about the photograph. The use of plain language in describing the scene depicted in the image, as well as providing relevant context such as the date, creator, and subjects, enhances the accessibility. However, the absence of a creator name and the use of ‘nan’ could be improved to provide a more complete understanding. Overall, the metadata facilitates understanding of the content depicted in the photograph.
GPT-4o Mini
Score: 3
Feedback: The metadata is mostly clear, but some terms may not be immediately understandable to all audiences, such as “tableaux” and “coloured sculpture tableaux.” The inclusion of specific historical references assumes a level of prior knowledge. Additionally, “nan” as a creator is non-informative. Overall, while it provides essential information, it could benefit from simpler language for broader accessibility.
Command R+
Score: 4
Feedback: The metadata for this item from the Robert Langmuir African American Photograph Collection is mostly accessible. The language used is clear and concise, with no apparent use of obsolete terms or abbreviations that would hinder understanding. The title and abstract provide a descriptive and contextual overview of the item, and the date and subject fields are straightforward.
However, there is room for improvement to make the metadata more inclusive and accessible. A minor issue is the lack of capitalization in the title, which could be adjusted to follow title capitalization conventions for improved readability. Additionally, while the term “coloured” in the abstract may have been used accurately in the historical context of the item, it is now considered outdated and potentially offensive. The field could be revised to provide a more contemporary and sensitive description.
Overall, the metadata is mostly accessible, but small revisions could enhance its clarity and sensitivity.