Ways of seeing: contextualising the continuum

Abstract

Purpose

In this commemorative issue of Records Management Journal, milestones from the last 20 years of recordkeeping practice are being celebrated. This paper aims to provide a retrospective of the records continuum and examine its evolution, its impact and its influence, and to reference some of the controversy it has inspired.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a review of literature and a historical assessment, which are intended to contextualise and explain the continuum.

Findings

The continuum has a long history in Australian recordkeeping culture, but significant international research and theory have also fed into its development. The continuum has an enduring relevance and remains a fundamental tool for assessing and realigning recordkeeping practice today.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is strongly supportive of the continuum approach, and as such is not an impartial assessment of the model and of the criticism that has been levelled against it.

Practical implications

It is hoped that the paper helps to foster further understanding and use of the records continuum model.

Originality/value

While owing a great deal to Sue McKemmish and Frank Upward, the paper aims to present a fresh perspective on continuum theory, in a way that helps to explain and encourage the adoption of continuum‐based approaches to recordkeeping.

Citation

Cumming, K. (2010), "Ways of seeing: contextualising the continuum", Records Management Journal, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 41-52. https://doi.org/10.1108/09565691011036224