Preservation plan

Australian Data Archive Preservation Plan

The plan covers data and metadata managed by ADA for digital preservation and reuse, based on the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) Reference Model PDF as implemented by ADA <link to AD Logical Overview Diagram working on with Marina>. The plan outlines the scope, objectives, responsibilities, and actions for preserving data deposited with ADA. It does not cover administrative data or other data related to the function of ADA.

Scope

ADA holds over 1600 datasets and 13,000 data files through 1833 until the present day, available for reuse through the ADA Dataverse platform. Most data are focussed within the social sciences as quantitative survey data, but ADA has published a small qualitative collection [1] through an ARDC project to develop support for archiving of qualitative data. Ongoing preservation of data [2] is provided by the Archive for all data that is deemed suitable once approved at each step of the archival work flow [3], beginning with the deposit appraisal process [4].

[1] Studies of Childhood, Education & Youth (SOCEY)
[2] ADA Governance & Resources
[3] ADA Workflows
[4] ADA Appraisal & Collection Policy

Responsibilities

ADA has been responsible for providing archival and preservation support since 1981 [5], growing from the needs of its Designated Community. In this time ADA has continued to keep pace and meet these requirements within the technical and user landscape, with active participation through external engagement and memberships [6], in-kind collaborations, and funded projects [7]. ADA ensures data is preserved for future usability under the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-Usable) principles supported through the implementation of FAIR in the Dataverse platform. ADA is actively working towards the realisation of CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics) by taking opportunities where possible to provide support for Indigenous focussed projects and research [7] with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of doing CARE oriented archiving.

[5] Mission & Scope
[6] Expertise & Guidance
[7] ADA Projects

Objectives

To ensure ADA, depositors, and the Designated Community understand and follow preservation actions under this plan. Expand this more in para form.

Processes to manage file and metadata formats sufficient for long term storage, preservation, and accessibility

Actions

• Data & metadata valid for preservation:
  • The ADA Workflow guides a data deposit through access rights [x], appraisal [y], checks and validations [z], and publication [a] to ensure the data and metadata are sufficient for the preservation process.

• The ADA Deposit and Preservation Tool (ADAPT):
  • ADAPT [b] programmatically copies the SIP from the Deposit Dataverse to ensure provenance and authenticity [c] written to a PROV log, recording archivist, date, data files copied. ADA plans to expand the functionality of ADAPT to include fixity measures as used by Dataverse for the SIP and DIP to ensure the relationship between the deposited digital objects and those provided at the point of access.

[x] Rights Management
[y] Deposit Appraisal & Collection Policy
[z] Quality Assurance
[a] Reuse
[b] [1]
[c] Provenance and authenticity

Measures to address preservation levels and threat of obsolescence

Actions

Documentation to support activities undertaken by the ADA workflow to ensure preservation

Actions

Management of deaccessioned data

Actions