Understanding the machine readable numeric record: Archival challenges, with some comments on appraisal guidelines

Robbin, Alice Understanding the machine readable numeric record: Archival challenges, with some comments on appraisal guidelines. Midwestern Archivist, 1979, vol. 4, n. 1, pp. 5-17. [Journal article (Paginated)]

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English abstract

In the past, raw information was frequently destroyed because it could not be stored, thereby precluding effective scholarly use of the materials. Today's computer technology allows preservation and compact storage of enormous quantities of highly detailed information. Maintenance of information in conventional paper format often required severe access restrictions to protect anonymity of particular cases, a problem which can be alleviated by utilizing the computer to delete or mask the identity of the individuals involved. The value of any archival record is enhanced by the existence of other sources, which when used in tandem more completely describe the social, administrative, or economic process. This is especially true of the machine readable record, where source materials from one file can be more easily linked with other files to provide more complete documentation of particular events and transactions, thus augmenting the potential value and increasing the analytic or explanatory potential of the original records.

Item type:	Journal article (Paginated)
Keywords:	Machine readable record; Information storage; Information preservation; Social research; Statistical data
Subjects:	J. Technical services in libraries, archives, museum. > JH. Digital preservation. B. Information use and sociology of information > BA. Use and impact of information. B. Information use and sociology of information > BC. Information in society. H. Information sources, supports, channels. > HP. e-resources. B. Information use and sociology of information B. Information use and sociology of information > BG. Information dissemination and diffusion.
Depositing user:	Alice Robbin
Date deposited:	25 Apr 2008
Last modified:	02 Oct 2014 12:11
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/10760/11409

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