Object-oriented diplomatics. Using archival diplomatics in software application development to support authenticity of digital records
| Date | 16 March 2015 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/RMJ-04-2014-0022 |
| Published date | 16 March 2015 |
| Pages | 45-55 |
| Author | Adam Jansen |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance |
Object-oriented diplomatics
Using archival diplomatics in software
application development to support
authenticity of digital records
Adam Jansen
School of Library, Archival and Information Studies,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to present a conceptual methodology, named herein as object-oriented
diplomatics, based on a presentation given by the author at the Digital Diplomatics 2014 conference.
This methodology centers on building digital records capable of supporting their authenticity over time
and when removed from their original systems by extending archival diplomatics theory by leveraging
object-oriented programming (OOP) principles.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents new method for supporting the presumption
of authenticity of digital records through extending archival diplomatics concepts into OOP principles
when creating digital records within a record-keeping system.
Findings – This paper is based on a preliminary research being conducted during the design of a
government digital archives. This concept was used as a core design element for their digital archives
and has thus far shown great promise in articulating and encapsulating those essential data elements
that support the presumption of authenticity across a wide diversity of record types.
Originality/value – This paper presents a new approach to support the presumption of authenticity
of digital records by utilizing concepts from archival diplomatics leveraged with OOP principles. It is
the hope of the author that this paper will initiate a deeper collaboration between archives and records
management professionals and software developers in the design and implementation of digital
repositories.
Keywords Information systems, Preservation, Electronic records management, Archiving,
Record keeping, Systems design
Paper type Case study
The author wishes to acknowledge Dr Luciana Duranti for her tireless devotion to her students
and the outstanding leadership she has provided for over a decade as Project Director on the
InterPARES project. This paper would not have been possible with her guidance and the hard
work and dedication of all the Graduate Research Assistants, Co-investigators and test beds who
worked on InterPARES. Major funding for The InterPARES Project over the years has been
provided by The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s Major
Collaborative Research Initiatives (SSHRC-MCRI), The National Archives of Canada, the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission and the National Science Foundation of the USA.
Matching funds are provided by The University of British Columbia’s Hampton Fund Research
Grant, the Vice President Research Development Fund, the Dean of Arts, and the School of
Library, Archival and Information Studies. Lastly, and surely not the least, heartfelt gratitude and
appreciation to Dr Marilyn Hart for her years of dedication, mentoring, leadership and support.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0956-5698.htm
Object-oriented
diplomatics
45
Received 1 April 2014
Revised 21 November 2014
15 January 2015
Accepted 17 January 2015
RecordsManagement Journal
Vol.25 No. 1, 2015
pp.45-55
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0956-5698
DOI 10.1108/RMJ-04-2014-0022
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