CA Advanced Techniques & Methods 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the context of archival description, what does 'accrual' refer to in a finding aid?
- The process of assigning unique identifiers to each folder in a collection
- Additional materials added to an existing archival collection after initial processing (Correct answer)
- The transfer of physical custody without transfer of legal title
- The removal of duplicate documents during arrangement
Correct answer: Additional materials added to an existing archival collection after initial processing
An accrual is a subsequent addition of records to an archival collection, and finding aids must be updated to reflect new accruals.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST describes macro-appraisal as a methodology?
- Evaluating individual documents for their research value
- Appraising records based on the functional context and societal importance of the creating body rather than document-by-document review (Correct answer)
- Using statistical sampling to select representative records for permanent retention
- Prioritizing records by physical condition before assessing content value
Correct answer: Appraising records based on the functional context and societal importance of the creating body rather than document-by-document review
Macro-appraisal, developed by archivists such as Terry Cook, focuses on appraising the functions and structures of organizations rather than examining individual records.
Question 3: A 'dark archive' in digital preservation primarily functions to:
- Store records that are classified as confidential and permanently restricted
- Preserve digital content as a backup that is not publicly accessible but ensures long-term survivability (Correct answer)
- House digitized records awaiting quality control review
- Maintain offline copies of born-digital records for disaster recovery only
Correct answer: Preserve digital content as a backup that is not publicly accessible but ensures long-term survivability
A dark archive stores preserved digital content inaccessible to the public, serving as an insurance copy to ensure long-term survival against repository failure.
Question 4: When an archivist performs a 'survey' of an uncataloged collection, the primary objective is to:
- Create a complete item-level inventory of every document
- Gather enough information about scope, volume, condition, and content to make processing and appraisal decisions (Correct answer)
- Assign permanent call numbers to all boxes
- Digitize high-priority materials immediately
Correct answer: Gather enough information about scope, volume, condition, and content to make processing and appraisal decisions
A survey produces a preliminary assessment that informs decisions about processing priority, resource allocation, appraisal, and access restrictions.
Question 5: Which of the following is a key characteristic of born-digital records that distinguishes them from digitized analog records?
- Born-digital records always have higher resolution than scanned documents
- Born-digital records never existed in a physical format and may carry embedded metadata from their creation environment (Correct answer)
- Born-digital records are always stored in open, non-proprietary formats
- Born-digital records cannot be subject to appraisal
Correct answer: Born-digital records never existed in a physical format and may carry embedded metadata from their creation environment
Born-digital records originate in digital form and often contain embedded metadata (author, creation date, revision history) not present in scanned analog documents.
Question 6: An archivist encounters a collection of records where the creator intentionally arranged materials thematically rather than chronologically. What should the archivist do?
- Rearrange the records chronologically to conform to best practices
- Maintain the creator's thematic arrangement as the original order (Correct answer)
- Discard the arrangement and process the collection by record type
- Consult with the donor to determine a more logical order
Correct answer: Maintain the creator's thematic arrangement as the original order
Respect for original order requires preserving the arrangement established by the creator, even if it is thematic, because that arrangement reflects the creator's working methods and context.
Question 7: In records management, a 'vital records' program is designed primarily to:
- Identify and protect records essential to resume operations after a disaster (Correct answer)
- Digitize all records more than 20 years old
- Ensure compliance with federal retention schedules
- Track records requested under FOIA
Correct answer: Identify and protect records essential to resume operations after a disaster
Vital records programs identify records critical to an organization's core functions and legal obligations, ensuring their protection and accessibility during and after emergencies.
CA Advanced Techniques & Methods 3
In the context of archival description, what does 'accrual' refer to in a finding aid?