Professional Standards & Ethics Flashcards

An archivist discovers that a major donor has been misrepresenting the provenance of records they wish to donate. What is the most ethical course of action?

Answer: Reject the donation and report the misrepresentation to institutional leadership

Archivists have an ethical obligation to accurately document provenance and report misrepresentations that could undermine the integrity of the archival record.

Under the SAA Core Values, which principle requires archivists to balance open access with the protection of privacy for individuals mentioned in records?

Answer: Access and use

The SAA Core Value of 'Access and Use' explicitly addresses the tension between maximizing access to archival materials and protecting individual privacy rights.

A researcher requests access to personnel records that are 40 years old but still contain sensitive medical information about living individuals. The appropriate ethical response is to:

Answer: Review records for appropriate restriction or redaction before granting access

Archivists must evaluate whether sensitive information requires restriction or redaction even in older records, balancing access with privacy protections for living individuals.

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'conflict of interest' as it applies to archival practice?

Answer: When an archivist's personal interests could improperly influence professional decisions

A conflict of interest in archival practice occurs when an archivist's personal, financial, or other interests could improperly influence their professional judgment or actions.

An archivist is approached by a media outlet requesting information about records involved in ongoing litigation. The archivist should:

Answer: Refuse all comment and refer the request to institutional legal counsel

When records are subject to active litigation, archivists should immediately refer all inquiries to institutional legal counsel to protect both the institution and the integrity of the legal process.

The SAA Code of Ethics states that archivists should promote open and equitable access. This means archivists must:

Answer: Work to minimize barriers to access while respecting necessary restrictions

Promoting equitable access means minimizing unnecessary barriers while still respecting legally mandated or institutionally justified restrictions on certain materials.

When an archivist appraises a collection and recommends disposition, their decisions should be based primarily on:

Answer: The evidential, informational, and intrinsic value of the records

Appraisal decisions must be grounded in professional assessment of evidential, informational, and intrinsic value, not practical or financial considerations alone.