CA Advanced Techniques & Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which metadata standard is most commonly used to describe archival collections at the collection, series, and item levels in a hierarchical structure?
- Dublin Core
- MARC 21
- Encoded Archival Description (EAD) (Correct answer)
- VRA Core
Correct answer: Encoded Archival Description (EAD)
EAD is an XML-based standard specifically designed to encode archival finding aids using a hierarchical structure from collection to item level.
Question 2: When appraising digital records, which characteristic distinguishes a record with permanent value from one with temporary value?
- File size exceeds 10 MB
- The record documents unique organizational decisions or provides evidence of rights and obligations (Correct answer)
- The record was created by a senior official
- The file format is a proprietary standard
Correct answer: The record documents unique organizational decisions or provides evidence of rights and obligations
Permanent value is determined by evidential and informational value — records that document unique decisions, rights, obligations, or historically significant activities.
Question 3: A replevin action in archives refers to which legal process?
- Transferring records between agencies under a memorandum of understanding
- The legal recovery of records or artifacts that were wrongfully removed from an institution (Correct answer)
- Digitizing records under copyright license
- Establishing provenance for deaccessioned materials
Correct answer: The legal recovery of records or artifacts that were wrongfully removed from an institution
Replevin is a legal remedy used to recover personal property, and archives use it to reclaim records that were improperly removed or stolen.
Question 4: In digital preservation, what is the primary purpose of creating a Submission Information Package (SIP)?
- To index records for public discovery
- To package content and metadata for ingest into a digital preservation system (Correct answer)
- To generate access copies for end users
- To schedule migration timelines for obsolete formats
Correct answer: To package content and metadata for ingest into a digital preservation system
A SIP, as defined by the OAIS Reference Model, bundles digital content with descriptive and preservation metadata for submission to a digital repository.
Question 5: Which technique is used to detect unauthorized alterations to digital files after they have been ingested into a preservation repository?
- Optical character recognition (OCR)
- Checksum validation using cryptographic hash functions (Correct answer)
- Format migration to open standards
- Metadata normalization
Correct answer: Checksum validation using cryptographic hash functions
Cryptographic hash functions (e.g., MD5, SHA-256) generate a unique checksum for each file; any alteration changes the hash, revealing tampering.
Question 6: The principle of original order in archives means that an archivist should:
- Reorganize records alphabetically to improve user access
- Maintain the sequence and arrangement established by the creator of the records (Correct answer)
- Digitize records in the order they are requested by researchers
- Sort records chronologically before housing them
Correct answer: Maintain the sequence and arrangement established by the creator of the records
Original order preserves the context and interrelationships of records as arranged by their creator, which is essential for understanding their meaning and evidential value.
Question 7: Which environmental control measure is MOST critical for long-term preservation of acetate-based film and magnetic tape?
- Maintaining 65°F and 50% relative humidity
- Storing in cold, low-humidity vaults (below 50°F and 30% RH) (Correct answer)
- Keeping in standard office conditions with dehumidifiers
- Cycling temperature between 60°F and 75°F seasonally
Correct answer: Storing in cold, low-humidity vaults (below 50°F and 30% RH)
Cold, dry storage significantly slows the chemical degradation (vinegar syndrome in acetate, binder hydrolysis in tape) of audiovisual materials.
CA Advanced Techniques & Methods 2
Which metadata standard is most commonly used to describe archival collections at the collection, series, and item levels in a hierarchical structure?