What is it about?
This case study is based on an MSc dissertation research undertaken at Northumbria University. The aim was to explore digital preservation requirements within the wider National Geoscience Data Centre (NGDC) organisational framework in preparation for developing a preservation policy and integrating associated preservation workflows throughout the existing research datapr management ocesses. Stakeholders expect data to be reliable, reusable, and available in preferred formats. To ensure digital continuity, the creation of high quality metadata is critical, and data depositors need data management training to achieve this. Recommendations include completing a risk assessment, creating a digital asset register, and a technology watch to mitigate against risks.
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Why is it important?
This research examines the specific nature of geoscience data retention requirements and looks at existing NGDC procedures in terms of enhancing digital continuity, providing new knowledge on the preservation requirements for a number of national datasets.
Perspectives
The users of NGDC geoscience data come from a variety of backgrounds and have varying requirements. This has wider implications on the need to maintain accessibility and usability of borehole, groundwater, and geohazards data, which are often used for ten years or longer by the same stakeholders. The interpretation of what digital preservation means depends on the role and experience of the users. People may know and understand the data very well without fully grasping what actions they could take to improve its long-term usability. It is essential first to develop a common understanding of the concept across the user community, to agree on key messages, and to communicate them to all stakeholders in order to develop the digital preservation culture.
Mrs Jaana Pinnick
British Geological Survey
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Exploring digital preservation requirements, Records Management Journal, July 2017, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/rmj-04-2017-0009.
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