Value domain

A value domain provides a set of permissible values by which a data element can be implemented. Value domains can be enumerated (e.g. Sex code N) or non-enumerated (e.g. Total centimetres NNN).

The union of a specific value domain with a specific data element concept creates a data element. For example the data element concept Person—body height can be implemented through union with the Total centimetres NNN value domain. 

Non-enumerated value domains can be wholly or partially based on a single classification scheme.

Below is a graphical representation of the relationship between value domains and related metadata item types.

Figure 1: Diagrammatic representation of value domain relationships in METeOR metadata structures.