Trustworthiness of digital records through NDSA levels of digital preservation

Abstract

For the long-term preservation of the digital records created in organizations that have archival value, digital preservation techniques are used. These techniques also contribute to the preservation of the trustworthiness of the records. In order to assess the situation of organizations in the implementation of their digital preservation activities, there is a need for an analysis tool. Many models have been prepared to meet this need. One is the Levels of Preservation (LoP) developed by the National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA). The LoP provides guidance to organizations in their digital preservation activities. Therefore, it is thought that the LoP can be associated with trustworthiness which aims at long-term preservation of the records. This study examines the levels of digital preservation specified in the LoP in terms of the trustworthiness of digital records. As a result of this research, the goal is to address theoretically how the trustworthiness of digital records can be preserved through the LoP. Consequently, it is feasible for organizations to align their digital preservation capabilities with trustworthiness. The study has revealed that the LoP can be employed in the analysis of the trustworthiness of the records.