In metadata, an identification scheme1 is used to identify unique records in a set. If a data element is used to identify a record within a data set, the data element uses the Identifier representation term. An identification scheme should be contrasted with a classification scheme. Classification schemes are used to classify individual records into categories. Many records in a data set may be in a single category.
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Last revised May 29, 2026
Identification scheme
In metadata, an identification scheme is used to identify unique records in a set. If a data element is used to identify a record within a data set, the data element uses the Identifier representation term. An identification scheme should be contrasted with a classification scheme. Classification schemes are used to classify individual records into categories. Many records in a data set may be in a single category.