10 Simple Rules for Improving Your Standardized Fields and Terms

Contextual metadata is the unsung hero of research data. When done right, standardized and structured vocabularies make your data findable, shareable, and reusable. When done wrong, they turn a well intended effort into data cleanup and curation nightmares. In this paper we tackle the surprisingly tricky process of vocabulary standardization with a mix of practical advice and grounded examples. Drawing from real-world experience in contextual data harmonization, we highlight common challenges (e.g., semantic noise and concept bombs) and provide actionable strategies to address them. Our rules emphasize alignment with Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability (FAIR) principles while remaining adaptable to evolving user and research needs. Whether you are curating datasets, designing a schema, or contributing to a standards body, these rules aim to help you create metadata that is not only technically sound but also meaningful to users.