LIS-S 405 Data Archives
3 credits
- Prerequisite(s): None
- Delivery: Online
- Semesters offered: Spring (Check the schedule to confirm.)
Description
This course surveys the fundamental principles and practices of archival and record management within the context of data archives. Students explore newly developed tools and techniques specific to data archives. Topics include archive sources, archival description, archival management, digitization and born-digital archives, and standards and policies.
This course introduces data archives. Throughout this course, students will explore topics such as the functions of archives, the data lifecycle model, and the preservation needs of data. Students will gain an understanding of the concepts of authenticity and integrity, the different types of metadata and their role in data discovery and reuse, data storage, the role of trustworthy repositories and how repositories demonstrate their trustworthiness through audit and certification. Additionally, students will examine archival standards and best practices to ensure data remains accessible for the long-term.
Program Learning Outcomes Supported
Instructors map their courses to specific Data Science Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs). Mapped program goals drive the design of each course and what students can expect to generally learn.
- A1: Data Literacy - Distinguish between data, information, and knowledge.
- A2: Data Literacy – Recognize that data can have value and play a key role in society by providing opportunities to expand knowledge, to innovate, and to influence.
- C1: Information Science – Demonstrate an understanding of the data lifecycle, including data curation, stewardship, and long-term preservation.
- C2: Information Science – Apply the principles of consistency and uniformity to recognize the need for authorized terms for describing various types of data.
- C3: Information Science – Understand the principles of data organization including file name conventions, version control, and data documentation.
- C4: Information Science - Understand the characteristics of various data types generated and used by a variety of disciplines, subdisciplines, research communities, and government organizations.
- C5: Information Science - Understand critical issues associated with the storage, backup, and security of data.
- C6: Information Science – Analyze data policies to compare possible outcomes.
- D1: Data Ethics - Understand the relation between data, ethics, and society.
- D2: Data Ethics - Identify and understand the social, political, ethical, and legal aspects of data creation, access, ownership, service, and communication.
- D3: Data Ethics - Develop substantive arguments using ethical reasoning to suggest improvements to data-driven systems and practices.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand and explain the principles and practices of data archives and the importance of the data lifecycle.
- Apply theoretical understanding to practical issues in data archives.
- Use various ideas, techniques, and technologies to carry out data archival activities.
- Analyze ethical issues, responsibilities, and the key role data archives play in society.
- Integrate real world context to critically analyze data archives concepts, terms, and theories.
- Evaluate and reflect on current data archival practices, emerging trends, and experiences.
Profiles of Learning for Undergraduate Success (PLUS) Alignment
Instructors align their courses with the Profiles of Learning for Undergraduate Success. The profiles provide students various opportunities to deepen disciplinary understanding, participate in engaged learning, and refine what it means to be a well-rounded, well-educated person prepared for lifelong learning and success.
- P1.1 Communicator – Evaluates information
- P1.2 Communicator – Listens actively
- P1.4 Communicator – Conveys ideas effectively
- P2.1 Problem Solver – Think critically
- P2.3 Problem Solver – Analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates
- P3.4 Innovator – Makes decisions
- P4.3 Community Contributor – Behaves ethically
- P4.4 Community Contributor – Anticipates consequences
Course Overview
Module 1: Overview Data Archives
- Define data archiving and why we need to archive data
- Recognize and understand the function of archives
- Understand the benefits of data archiving
- Understand the difference between data backup and data archiving
Module 2: History and the Profession
- Develop an understanding of the history of data archives
- Understand the Society of American Archivist Core Value Statement and Code of Ethics
- Think critically about the role of data archives for sustaining long-term learning
Module 3: Data Lifecycle and Value
- Discuss the Data Lifecycle and its importance to Data Archives
- Discuss the OAIS Model and its importance to Data Archives
- Understand important considerations when managing data
Module 4: Working with Data
- Describe the types of data in Data Archives
- Identify strategies for organizing data in Data Archives
- Understand file naming, versioning, and formatting
- Discuss the importance of data documentation and citation
Module 5: Data Archival Process
- Discuss the steps of the data archival process
- Understand the importance of metadata and descriptive standards to data archiving
- Understand the need for data preservation
Module 6: Data Sharing and Reuse
- Understand the obstacles for data sharing and reuse
- Discuss how data archives enable data sharing and reuse
- Define the FAIR data principles
- Understand the importance and benefits of FAIR data
- Understand how to implement FAIR data practices in data archives
Module 7: Data Storage, Backup, and Security
- Understand why it is important to store, backup, and secure data
- Understand data storage, backup, and security methods used in Data Archives
- Identify best practices for creating a data storage, backup, and security plan for a project
Module 8: Data Archives and Repositories
- Discuss selection criteria for data archives and repositories
- Understand how to find and analyze a repository that meets a data producer's needs
- Become familiar with different repository options
Module 9: Audit and Certification
- Discuss the importance of auditing and certification in Data Archives
- Understand the attributes of a trusted digital repository in Data Archives
- Understand methods for auditing and certification in Data Archives
Module 10: Legal and Ethical Consideration
- Explore ethical considerations for Data Archives
- Understand aspects of legal considerations for Data Archives
Module 11: Archival Issues and Disaster Planning
- Understand data archival issues, threats, and risks to data loss
- Discuss the process for risk identification, analysis, evaluation, and treatment
- Understand how data archives manage risk by developing strategies and action plans to protect its data from loss
Module 12: Standards and Best Practices
- Understand the value and role of standards in data archives
- Describe the types of standards in data archives
- Understand the adoption of standards and best practices in data archives
- Describe barriers to using standards in data archives
Module 13: Strategies, Trends, and Theories
- Understand the need for organizations to have a data management plan and a data archival strategy
- Understand and summarize the organizational requirements to include in a data archival strategy
- Discuss current issues, trends, and theories that are shaping the archival profession
Module 14: Data Archive Project
- Analyze and evaluate the current data archival practices, tools, and techniques in a data repository
- Identify improvements to a data repository's archival practices, tools, and techniques based on an understanding of data archival practices
Module 15: Data Impact and Future of Archives
- Reflect upon the learnings in the data archival course
- Understand the impact of ever-increasing amounts of data on data archives
- Understand the future of archives, given the ever-changing requirements
Policies and Procedures
Please be aware of the following linked policies and procedures. Note that in individual courses instructors will have stipulations specific to their course.