Commentary on Fostering High-Impact Research in the Preservation Field
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Adam Jansen
Adam Jansen is an information management consultant and a doctoral student at the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies, University of British Columbia. His research focuses on the creation, use, preservation, and forensic analysis of trustworthy digital records. Since 2008, he has been a part of the InterPARES research project, first as a co-investigator and then as a graduate research assistant.
Abstract
In reaction to the plenary paper delivered by Anne Gilliland, the opening remarks for the symposium, and the other papers and reactions delivered, two major themes warrant deeper discussion and reflection: What does “high-impact” mean when referring to research? How do we fund such research? For research in the field of digital preservation to qualify as high impact, it must-through the use of rigorous, scientifically based methodologies-result in a positive near-term effect on the actual preservation of digital heritage objects. Whether they are traditional records, moving images, emails, the latest file format, or other cultural objects, the research must bring some positive movement toward effective, efficient, comprehensive preservation of the object of study. The goal of such research should be the development of practical and implementable solutions. The author posits that with the current state of archives, intellectual exercises will be of little benefit to those “in the trenches” who are struggling with adapting to the twenty-first-century technologies used to produce records. While the development of high-level theory is important to keep the field of archival science moving forward, such abstract theory does not meet the definition of “high impact.”
About the author
Adam Jansen is an information management consultant and a doctoral student at the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies, University of British Columbia. His research focuses on the creation, use, preservation, and forensic analysis of trustworthy digital records. Since 2008, he has been a part of the InterPARES research project, first as a co-investigator and then as a graduate research assistant.
© 2014 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- From the Editor-in-Chief: Introduction
- I. At the Nexus of Analog and Digital
- At the Nexus of Analog and Digital: Introduction to Papers from a Symposium of Preservation Educators
- II. Clarifying Definitions
- Clarifying Definitions
- Commentary on Michèle Cloonan’s Plenary Address
- Commentary on Michèle Cloonan’s Plenary Address
- III. Bolstering Audiovisual Preservation
- “Separate but Equal?”: Bolstering Audiovisual Preservation
- Commentary on Caroline Frick’s Plenary Address
- Commentary on Caroline Frick’s Plenary Address
- Commentary on Caroline Frick’s Plenary Address
- IV. Integrating Research and Teaching in Preservation Education
- Integrating Research and Teaching in Preservation Education
- Integrating Research, Research Data, and Researchers in Teaching: A Response to Elizabeth Yakel’s Plenary Address
- Flying on Instruments: A Response to Beth Yakel’s Paper on Integrating Research and Teaching
- Commentary on Integrating Research and Teaching
- V. Fostering High Impact Research in the Preservation Field
- Fostering High-Impact Research in the Preservation Field
- Commentary on Fostering High-Impact Research in the Preservation Field
- Fostering High-Impact Research in the Preservation Field: A Response
- Currents and Comments
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- From the Editor-in-Chief: Introduction
- I. At the Nexus of Analog and Digital
- At the Nexus of Analog and Digital: Introduction to Papers from a Symposium of Preservation Educators
- II. Clarifying Definitions
- Clarifying Definitions
- Commentary on Michèle Cloonan’s Plenary Address
- Commentary on Michèle Cloonan’s Plenary Address
- III. Bolstering Audiovisual Preservation
- “Separate but Equal?”: Bolstering Audiovisual Preservation
- Commentary on Caroline Frick’s Plenary Address
- Commentary on Caroline Frick’s Plenary Address
- Commentary on Caroline Frick’s Plenary Address
- IV. Integrating Research and Teaching in Preservation Education
- Integrating Research and Teaching in Preservation Education
- Integrating Research, Research Data, and Researchers in Teaching: A Response to Elizabeth Yakel’s Plenary Address
- Flying on Instruments: A Response to Beth Yakel’s Paper on Integrating Research and Teaching
- Commentary on Integrating Research and Teaching
- V. Fostering High Impact Research in the Preservation Field
- Fostering High-Impact Research in the Preservation Field
- Commentary on Fostering High-Impact Research in the Preservation Field
- Fostering High-Impact Research in the Preservation Field: A Response
- Currents and Comments
