To answer this question, you need to understand the characteristics of metadata. Let's go through each option to understand why it is correct or incorrect:
Option A) Data about Data - This option is correct. Metadata refers to data about data, providing information about the characteristics and properties of the data.
Option B) Describes a data dictionary - This option is incorrect. While metadata can include information about a data dictionary, it is not the sole purpose of metadata. Metadata describes the data itself, including its structure, format, and relationships.
Option C) Self-describing - This option is correct. One of the characteristics of metadata is that it is self-describing. It contains information that allows users and systems to understand and interpret the data it describes.
Option D) Includes user data - This option is incorrect. User data is not considered metadata. Metadata focuses on providing information about the data, not the actual data itself.
The correct answer is D) Includes user data. This option is incorrect because user data is not considered metadata.