Archival Science

Archival science, also known as Archive administration, is the theory, study and practice of storing, cataloguing, and retrieving documents and other archival materials. Emerging from diplomatics, Archival science also encompasses the study of past efforts to preserve documents and items, remediation of those techniques in cases where those efforts have failed, and the development of new processes. The field also includes the study of traditional and electronic catalogue storage methods, digital preservation and the long range impact of all types of storage programs.

Records are the core of the archival tradition. In the tradition, records are defined as data or information in a fixed form that are created or received during the course of an activity and set aside for evidence of that activity or future reference. Archives must be trusted in order to be of value to society, thus they must have certain qualities. This includes authenticity, reliability, integrity, and usability. Archival records must be what they claim to be, must accurately represent the activity they were created for, must provide a coherent picture through the use of sufficient amounts of content, and must be in an accessible location and in usable condition.