Academic Journal

Destruction/reconstruction: preservation of archaeological and zoological research data.

Bibliographic Details
Title: Destruction/reconstruction: preservation of archaeological and zoological research data.
Authors: Frank, Rebecca, Yakel, Elizabeth, Faniel, Ixchel
Source: Archival Science; Jun2015, Vol. 15 Issue 2, p141-167, 27p
Abstract: Archaeology and zoology are fields in which data collection and analysis involve destruction. In this study, we examine the results of 49 interviews with archaeologists and zoologists, focusing on researchers' discussions of internal or disciplinary norms and external factors affecting their attitudes and actions concerning preservation. We identified two categories of disciplinary practices: data collection and data management/recordkeeping as key to shaping attitudes and activities about preservation. Likewise, we found three external factors: funding, legal requirements, and the status of museums and repositories, influencing attitudes toward preservation. We found that while archaeologists and zoologists are uniquely positioned to appreciate the value of data preservation, because data collection in both disciplines involves destruction, they are sceptical about whether preservation is possible and that these attitudes are influenced by both internal and external factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Subject Terms: ARCHAEOLOGICAL databases, ZOOLOGICAL research, ACQUISITION of data, ARCHAEOLOGISTS, ELECTRONIC data processing, ZOOLOGISTS
Copyright of Archival Science is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
ISSN: 13890166
DOI: 10.1007/s10502-014-9238-9
Database: Complementary Index