Simone Görl │ 18th may 2006 Preserving Authentic Electronic Records: The InterPARES Project & The InterPARES Model DIGITAL PRESERVATION

Simone Görl │ 18th may 2006

Preserving Authentic Electronic Records:

The InterPARES Project & The InterPARES Model

DIGITAL PRESERVATION

Digital Preservation: The InterPARES Project & The InterPARES Model

Structure of the paper:

I. Introduction

II. InterPARES Project

III. InterPARES Model

IV. Conclusion

V. Discussion

VI. References

InterPARES: I. Introduction – „in scaelius authenticus“

Leopold von Ranke (1795-1886) German Historian

„[history] seeks only to show

what actually happened

(wie es eigentlich gewesen).“

Quotation from Rankes Introduction to „The History of the Latin and Teutonic Nations“ (1824), reference: http://germanhistorydocs.ghidc.org/sub_document.cfm?document_id=358

1

1

InterPARES: II. The InterPARES Project

What is InterPARES?

• The International Research on Permanent Authentic Records in Electronic Systems (InterPARES)

• InterPARES aims at developing the theoretical and methodological knowledge essential to the long-term preservation of authentic records created and/or maintained in digital form.

• This knowledge should provide the basis from which to formulate model policies, strategies and standards capable of ensuring the longevity of such material and the ability of its users to trust its authenticity.

What is InterPARES?

• The InterPARES Project relies on an intellectual framework based on archival science and diplomatics, but is committed to an inter-disciplinary process involving a wide spectrum of academic and professional fields

• The InterPARES Project is based at the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

• The InterPARES Project Director is Dr. Luciana Duranti.


InterPARES has developed in two phases:

InterPARES 1

- 1999-2001 - focused on the preservation of the authenticity of records and/or mainted in database and document management systems in the couse of administrative activities.

InterPARES 2

- 2002-2006 - focused on records produced in complex digital environments in the course of artistic, scientific and e-government activities.


Concern of the InterPARES Project:

The project is concerned with the preservation of electronic records that have been selected after they are no longer needed for the practicalpurposes for which they were originally created.


The four research domains of the InterPARES Project:

1. Conceptual Requirements for Preserving Authentic Electronic Records

2. Appraisal Criteria and Methodology for Authentic Electronic Records

3. Methodologies for Preserving Authentic Electronic Records

4. Frameworks for Developing Policies, Strategies and Standards

InterPARES Domain 3:Methodologies for Preserving Authentic Electronic Records


• focused on Preservation

• establishing a Preservation Task Force including a research plan:

- What methods, procedures, and rules of long-term preservation are in use or being developed?

- What are the procedural methods of authentication for preserved electronic records?

- What are the technical methods of authentication for preserved electronic records?

- What are the principles and criteria for media and storage management that are required for the preservation of authentic electronic records?

- What are the responsibilities for long-term preservation of authentic electronic records?


What exactly does the Preservation Task Force (PTF) do?

• gathering empirical data about existing programms, plans and technologies for preserving electronic records

• undertaking a structured analysis of the process of preserving electronic records

• conducting a survey of programs that are preserving, are planning to preserve, or are conducting research related to the preservation of electronic records

• collecting information on methods of authentication being used in organizations that are participating in InterPARES and preserving electronic records

The PTF developed a IDEF(0) Model, „Preserve Electronic Records“

[IDEF = Integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing DEFinition Language]

InterPARES: III. The InterPARES Model

What is the InterPARES Model & what does it do?

• intentionally generic

• identifies and describes the process to preserve electronic records

• articulates- the inputs needed by each process- the controls under which it operates- the mechanisms necessary to accomplish the process- the output(s) produced by each process

• defines the relationship among these entities and processes

• the Model = systematic, no prescription of an implementation

• OAIS Reference Model = basis for the content of the preservation process model


What does the InterPARES Model do?

The Model provides a comprehensive, precise, and coherent road map that institutions and persons concerned with the preservation of electronic records can use in designing, developing, and evaluating systems which address their specific requirements, objectives, and constraints.




What is the purpose of the InterPARES Model?

The purpose of this model is to articulate the functions, information,and resources required to preserve authentic electronic recods.






What is the viewpoint of the InterPARES Model?

The model is construced from the viewpoint of the personresponsible for preservation of authentic records.






What is the viewpoint of the InterPARES Model?

The model is construced from the viewpoint of the personresponsible for preservation of authentic records.

What is the scope of the InterPARES Model?

The model encompasses activities from the point where it is determined thata body of electronic records has long-term value to the production of a copyof a preserved electronic record.


0. Preserve Electronic Records (A0)

1. Manage the Preservation Function (A1)

Determine Preservation Requirements (A1.1)

2. Bring In Electronic Records (A2)

Examine Electronic Records(A2.3)

3. Maintain Electronic Records (A3)

Manage Information About Records(A3.1)

Manage Storage of Digital Components of Records(A3.2)

4. Output Electronic Records (A4)

The Process of Preserving Electronic Records - Overview Nodes(compare with the following charts)


Preserve Electronic Records

The Process of Preserving Electronic Records

A0

TOP



ArchivalRequirements

InstitutionalRequirements

State of theArt of InformationTechnology


A0

TOP



[ ] [ ]

Informationand Communi-cationsTechnology Infrastructure

Facilities PersonsResponsiblefor Preservation





A0

TOP



[ ] [ ]

Information aboutElectronic RecordsSelected for Preservation

Transfer ofElectronic RecordsSelected for Preservation

Request for Record and/orInformation About Record







A0

TOP



[ ] [ ]

Information aboutElectronic RecordsSelected for Preservation

Transfer ofElectronic RecordsSelected for Preservation

Request for Record and/orInformation About Record



Reproduced Electronic Record

Certificate of Authenticity

Requested Information About aPreserved Record

Information about Preservation





A0

TOP

Manage the Preservation

Function A1

Bring inElectronicRecords A2

MaintainElectronicRecords

A3

Output ElectronicRecords

A4


Function A1



A3


A4


Function A1



A3


A4


Function A1



A3


A4


Function A1



A3


A4


Function A1



A3


A4

InterPARES: IV. Conclusion

Much attention to the preservation of electronic recordshas focused on the twin problems:

• relatively short life expectancy of digital media• rapid obsolescence of hardware and software

The InterPARES project

• started with recognition of these problems and • cast the preservation issue in terms of evaluating practical methods for solving them.

The InterPARES model

• provides an extensive, detailed and highly coherent framework for• identifiying and analyzing the specific challenges faced in implementing apppraisal decisions that select specific bodies of electronic records to be preserved

...... and at the end coming back to Leopold von Ranke‘s intention

“let the sources speak for themselves”

InterPARES: V. Discussion

• authenticity / trustworthiness / objectivity / reliability

• Empirically, it is not possible to preserve an electronic record: it is only possible to preserve the ability to reproduce the record

• If the creator did not articulate documentary form, there is no obvious basis for determing the impact of reproduction.

InterPARES: VI. References

• InterPARES Project: Preservation Task Force Report http://www.interpares.org/book/interpares_book_f_part3.pdf

• InterPARES Model: A Model of the Preservation Function http://www.interpares.org/book/interpares_book_n_app05i.pdf

• InterPARES: Homepage http://www.interpares.org/

Any Questions?

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Simone Görl │ 18th may 2006 Preserving Authentic Electronic Records: The InterPARES Project & The InterPARES Model DIGITAL PRESERVATION