def _get_metadata_for_galaxies(
            self):
        """get metadata for galaxies

        .. todo ::

            - update key arguments values and definitions with defaults
            - update return values and definitions
            - update usage examples and text
            - update docstring text
            - check sublime snippet exists
            - clip any useful text to docs mindmap
            - regenerate the docs and check redendering of this docstring
        """
        self.log.debug('starting the ``_get_metadata_for_galaxies`` method')

        total, batches = self._count_galaxies_requiring_metadata()
        print "%(total)s galaxies require metadata. Need to send %(batches)s batch requests to NED." % locals()

        totalBatches = self.batches
        thisCount = 0

        # FOR EACH BATCH, GET THE GALAXY IDs, QUERY NED AND UPDATE THE DATABASE
        while self.total:
            thisCount += 1
            self._get_3000_galaxies_needing_metadata()
            dictList = self._query_ned_and_add_results_to_database(thisCount)

            self.add_data_to_database_table(
                dictList=dictList,
                createStatement=False
            )

            self._count_galaxies_requiring_metadata()

        self.log.debug('completed the ``_get_metadata_for_galaxies`` method')
        return None