DCMIType PhysicalObject

[HughP]

I am wondering can I get some clarity on the use of DCMIType PhysicalObject.

For example, when is the Rosetta Stone a PhysicalObject and when is it Text? The more common use case might be when is a cassette tape a physical object and when is it sound? clearly a basket in a museum is a PhysicalObject.

dct:medium suggests that it should be used to indicate physical carrier. Does this mean that such a record should have PhysicalObject ?

Note: I am working from the OAI-PMH framework and looking at record cohesion/record quality.

[kcoyle]

IMO: Those are questions for your cataloging or metadata creation rules. DC is silent on how you describe your "things". In library cataloging both aspects are included in the description, but there are rules for which one dominates when encoding the type of "thing". In essence, you get to decide by making rules for your use case.

[tombaker]

@kcoyle has formulated a good response and there is no obvious need for further discussion by the Usage Board. Closing the issue.