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Harrowell service

Metadata & discoverability

Make published research easier to identify, cite, connect and preserve across the scholarly communications ecosystem.

The service in context

Practical support for a connected publishing operation.

Metadata is the infrastructure that allows research to travel. It connects articles to authors, funders, references, identifiers, platforms, libraries and discovery services. Harrowell helps journals treat metadata as a core publishing responsibility, not a final administrative task.

Incomplete metadata limits discoverability and creates downstream work. It weakens reporting, preservation planning and readiness for changes in platforms, suppliers or portfolio ownership.

What the service includes

The capabilities behind the service.

Every engagement is scoped around your journal’s needs. These are the core areas Harrowell can bring together in this service.

Metadata design

Define article, issue and journal data that should be captured consistently across editorial, production and platform workflows.

Identifiers and references

Support accurate handling of article identifiers, contributor details, funder information, licences and reference links.

Discovery readiness

Improve metadata structure and completeness so content is easier for people and systems to identify and connect.

Data quality review

Review published outputs and establish practical checks that prevent recurring metadata gaps.

Where we add depth

Designed around the realities of scholarly publishing.

Harrowell can take responsibility for a complete workstream or strengthen the part of an existing operation that needs more structure, capacity or specialist attention.

Metadata as an operational discipline

Strong metadata begins before an article is published. We make requirements visible in editorial and production processes, with clear ownership for capture, validation and correction.

  • Field and schema review
  • Data ownership and handoff mapping
  • Metadata checks in publication workflows

Discoverability and reliable records

The aim is a more complete published record: content that can be understood by people and systems, connected to its contributors and references, and prepared for downstream use.

  • Contributor, funder and affiliation data
  • Reference and identifier quality
  • Article, issue and journal record review

Transition and preservation readiness

When journals move platform, publisher or operating provider, clean data reduces risk. We assess what must move, what must be corrected and how continuity should be checked.

  • Migration assessment
  • Backfile quality review
  • Preservation and archive readiness

How we work

A structured path from need to delivery.

The pace, scope and ownership are agreed around your journal. We make the work visible and give editorial, operational and organisational stakeholders a clear role throughout.

  1. Review current data flows and published metadata

  2. Define required fields, ownership and proportionate checks

  3. Improve workflows across editorial, production and platform stages

  4. Monitor outputs, correct recurring gaps and report progress

What is agreed up front

A service with visible ownership.

Every engagement begins with an agreed scope, responsibilities, review rhythm and practical definition of delivery. This makes it clear what Harrowell is accountable for, where decisions sit and how the work connects to your wider publishing operation.

Metadata requirements and ownership model
Data-quality audit and improvement plan
Publication-stage validation checks
Transition or migration data inventory

What this makes possible

The outcomes a stronger service model should create.

  • More complete and consistent published records
  • Improved discovery and citation pathways
  • Better readiness for preservation, reporting and transition
  • Less rework caused by missing or incorrect data

A good fit when

Journals improving discoverability, portfolios preparing for a platform or operational transition, and teams needing a clearer metadata model.

Harrowell can provide this as a focused project, an ongoing managed service or part of a wider publishing partnership. The scope is shaped around the journal’s current operation, priorities and development plans.

Discuss your requirements

Build a service model around the work your journal needs to do next.

Tell us about the journal, programme or operational challenge. We’ll help identify the right starting point and delivery model.

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