Appraisal of Government Records: A Study About How Archivists, Records Managers, and Employees Appraise Archival Value and Business Value

Abstract

This thesis explores the appraisal of federal government records in Canada. It explores how archivists, records managers, and employees contribute to the appraisal of government records. It also identifies strategies and criteria used to appraise records for business value and archival value. It adopts a qualitative research approach and uses semi-structured interviews, cognitive inquiry (i.e. think aloud) exercises, and document analysis to inform its findings. An interpretation of the findings suggests the appraisal of government records involves three interconnected layers: microappraisal (i.e. appraisal at the record level), mesoappraisal (i.e. appraisal at the series level), and macroappraisal (i.e. appraisal at the archives level). It concludes that effective appraisal relies on all three levels.