Record DNA: reconceptualising digital records as the future evidence base

Area of Science:

• Information Science
• Archival Science
• Digital Humanities

Background:

• The digital era has eroded the traditional concept of a record, leading to uncertainty about its nature and reality.
• Ensuring the long-term usability and functionality of the digital evidence base is a significant societal challenge.
• Existing efforts by records and archives professionals alone are insufficient to address these complex digital challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically explore the nature of a digital record in the contemporary digital era.
• To investigate the implications of digital transformation for the future usability and functionality of evidence bases.
• To establish an agenda for future collaborative research addressing the 'grand challenge' of digital records.

Main Methods:

• An international, multidisciplinary research network was established.
• A grounded theory approach was employed to explore the concept of digital records.
• The network critically examined the implications of the digital era for record usability.

Main Results:

• Multiple, diverse visions of what constitutes a digital record emerged from the research.
• A comprehensive set of research questions was identified, highlighting key areas for future investigation.
• The study underscored the need for a broad range of expertise to understand digital records.

Conclusions:

• The erosion of the record concept in the digital age poses a significant risk to the evidence base.
• Resolving the challenges of digital record management requires a 'grand challenge' approach involving convergence research.
• Future collaborative research is essential, guided by a broad agenda of questions to ensure the usability of future digital records.