Advanced Techniques & Methods Flashcards

Which OAIS functional entity is responsible for transforming the content of a Submission Information Package (SIP) into an Archival Information Package (AIP)?

Answer: Ingest

The Ingest function receives SIPs from producers, performs quality assurance, and creates AIPs that are then transferred to Archival Storage.

An archivist is weeding a collection and discovers materials donated under a deed of gift that restricts deaccessioning. The BEST course of action is to:

Answer: Review the deed of gift terms and consult legal counsel before removing any restricted materials

Deed of gift restrictions are legally binding agreements, and any action that may violate them requires careful legal review to avoid breach of contract.

What is 'normalization' in the context of digital preservation?

Answer: Converting digital files from proprietary or obsolete formats into preferred preservation formats

Normalization converts files into standardized, open formats (e.g., TIFF for images, PDF/A for documents) to ensure long-term accessibility independent of proprietary software.

The concept of 'functional requirements' in electronic records management means that a system must:

Answer: Capture, maintain, and provide access to records in a way that preserves their authenticity, reliability, and integrity

Functional requirements for records management systems (as in DoD 5015.2 or MoReq) ensure systems preserve the qualities that make records trustworthy evidence.

Which preservation strategy involves maintaining the original hardware and software environment needed to run obsolete digital formats?

Answer: Emulation

Emulation recreates the original computing environment (hardware and OS) in software, allowing obsolete file formats to be accessed without converting them.

In archival practice, a 'finding aid' serves which primary purpose?

Answer: To describe the content, context, structure, and access conditions of archival holdings to assist researchers

Finding aids are descriptive tools that give researchers an intellectual map of a collection's scope, arrangement, provenance, and access restrictions.

When conducting oral history interviews as part of an archival project, which rights issue must be addressed BEFORE the interview is deposited?

Answer: A signed release or deed of gift transferring copyright and granting use permissions from the interviewee

Oral history interviewees hold copyright in their spoken words; a signed release is required to grant the repository rights to preserve and provide access to the recording.