Mixed Deck — All CA Topics Flashcards

The concept of 'archival bond' refers to the relationship between a record and:

Answer: The other records created in the same activity

Archival bond describes the relationship connecting each record to the other records produced in the course of the same activity.

Which PREMIS entity represents the people, organizations, or software agents responsible for actions taken on digital objects?

Answer: Agent

In the PREMIS data model, the Agent entity represents any actor — person, organization, or software — that is associated with preservation events affecting digital objects.

The General Records Schedules (GRS) issued by NARA apply to which category of records?

Answer: Common administrative records found across all federal agencies

NARA's General Records Schedules authorize disposal or transfer of common administrative records—such as routine correspondence and HR files—found in virtually all federal agencies.

Which approach guides archivists in prioritizing processing of large backlogs by focusing on making collections accessible at a basic level before adding detailed description?

Answer: More Product, Less Process (MPLP)

MPLP, developed by Greene and Meissner, advocates for baseline-level processing to open collections faster rather than exhaustive item-level description.

DACS was developed as a U.S. implementation of which international archival description standard?

Answer: ISAD(G) — International Standard Archival Description (General)

DACS was developed as the U.S. implementation of the International Council on Archives' ISAD(G), adapted to reflect North American archival practice.

What does informed consent require in Certified Archivist Certification practice?

Answer: Full disclosure of relevant information before obtaining agreement

Informed consent requires that all relevant information be provided so the individual can make a knowledgeable and voluntary decision.

How does collaboration enhance Foundational Concepts & Principles in Certified Archivist Certification?

Answer: It brings diverse perspectives and improves outcomes

Collaboration brings together different viewpoints and expertise, leading to better decision-making and outcomes.

The 'vital records' program in an organization is designed to protect records that are:

Answer: Essential to resume critical operations after a disaster

Vital records programs identify and protect records necessary for an organization to continue essential functions during and after an emergency.

Which format is considered the archival master standard for digitizing photographic negatives?

Answer: TIFF at 600 dpi or higher

TIFF at high resolution (typically 600 dpi or higher) is the archival master standard because it is uncompressed and preserves maximum image data.

Which preservation strategy involves creating an environment that mimics obsolete software or hardware so original digital objects can still be rendered?

Answer: Emulation

Emulation recreates the behavior of obsolete hardware or software environments, allowing original digital objects to run without format conversion.

When a finding aid is shared via the Online Archive of California or similar union catalog, which practice ensures consistency across institutions?

Answer: All contributing institutions follow shared encoding standards such as EAD and controlled vocabularies like LCSH

Shared platforms require standardized encoding (EAD) and controlled vocabularies to enable cross-institutional discovery and interoperability.

METS (Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard) is used primarily to:

Answer: Encode descriptive, administrative, and structural metadata for digital objects in a single XML document

METS is an XML schema that acts as a wrapper, bundling descriptive, administrative, and structural metadata together with content files for digital object exchange.

In an interinstitutional loan agreement for archival materials, which documentation clause protects both parties during transit?

Answer: A condition report and insurance valuation clause covering the loan period

Condition reports and agreed insurance values define responsibility for damage or loss during transit and protect both the lending and borrowing institutions.

Which type of records value describes usefulness to agencies for ongoing administrative, legal, or fiscal purposes?

Answer: Primary value

Primary value refers to the usefulness of records to their creating agency for administrative, legal, fiscal, and operational purposes.

An archivist is asked to provide expert witness testimony about a document's authenticity. Which action would be most professionally appropriate?

Answer: Examine the document personally and provide an objective, evidence-based assessment

Professional ethics require that archivists providing expert testimony personally examine materials and offer objective, evidence-based assessments independent of either party's interests.

A digitization project specification calls for scanning documents at 400 PPI. What does PPI measure in this context?

Answer: Pixels per inch—the spatial resolution of the scanned image

PPI (pixels per inch) measures the spatial resolution of a digital image, indicating how much detail is captured per unit of physical length.

Which factor is most critical in preventing digital record loss?

Answer: Regular data backups

Regular data backups ensure that digital records are not lost due to system failures, cyberattacks, or accidental deletions.

Which metadata standard is most widely used for describing archival collections in the United States?

Answer: Encoded Archival Description (EAD)

EAD is the XML-based standard specifically developed for encoding archival finding aids and is the dominant standard in U.S. archives.

Which of the following best defines a 'fonds' in international archival terminology?

Answer: The whole of records created and received by a particular person or organization

A fonds is the total body of records that originated from a single creator—a person, family, or organization—reflecting their activities and functions.

The term 'accrual' in archival collections management refers to:

Answer: Additional materials received from an existing donor or source

An accrual is a new addition of records from a source from which the repository has already received materials, often part of an ongoing transfer.