Research in archives and records
management
Dr Elizabeth Shepherd
e.shepherd@ucl.ac.uk
Practice versus research
Terry Cook (University of Manitoba, Canada):
• discipline v profession
• theory v practice
• education v training
• new digital recordkeeping approaches v traditional
cultural heritage priorities
Sarah McNicol quoting Booth:
• ‘research-practice gap’
The role of research
• builds theories and models as frameworks for
practice
• develops knowledge base, understanding of
profession’s ethos and societal role
• promotes critical enquiry and analysis, allows
sophisticated articulation of concepts
• facilitates standardisation, planning & evaluation
• examines policy development & execution
• practitioner research
Framework for sustainability in research
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A shared understanding
Setting strategic research priorities
Funding streams
Critical mass
Research collaboration
Identifying gaps and building depth
Improved dissemination
Archives and Records Management Research
Network (ARMReN)
Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), 2006-2007
What is ARMReN for?
• help develop research in the discipline of archives and
records management
• link academics in archives and records management with
researchers who use archives and professionals who
manage records
• collect and disseminate information about research
• foster the development of new academic researchers in
the discipline
• act as a central point for the exchange of ideas
• encourage new collaborative partnerships (UK, Europe,
internationally)
Archives and Records Management Research
Network (ARMReN)
What has ARMReN done?
• created a website with an electronic forum and information
resource <http://www.slais.ucl.ac.uk/research-
ARMReN>
• organised three one-day research workshops: Access and
impact; Appraisal and collecting; Description
• run three ‘Archives and History’ seminars at the Institute of
Historical Research, University of London
• disseminate results through conference papers and a
journal article
Mapping the Research Landscape
(British Academy research grant)
Aims to improve the quality and quantity of academic
research in archives and records management by creating
a map of the research landscape for the discipline in the
UK.
Research objectives:
• Identify research projects in the discipline in the UK, 19952006
• Identify areas of professional practice with research
potential
• Assess areas of weakness & success
• Propose future research priorities as the basis for a UK
research agenda
How does research fit into graduate education
for archivists and records managers?
Professional qualifications:
• develop professional skills and knowledge
• underpinned by history and theory
• critical enquiry
• Masters thesis
Research in archives and records management
Dr Elizabeth Shepherd
e.shepherd@ucl.ac.uk