Editorial

Citation

Hare, C. (2007), "Editorial", Records Management Journal, Vol. 17 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/rmj.2007.28117caa.001

Editorial

In my capacity as Professional Resources Editor I am delighted to present to you the 2007 themed issue of the Records Management Journal, which is devoted to research. Beginning with the guest editorial and the opinion piece and including all of the articles and book reviews, the contributions cover the spectrum of current research in archives and records management, in terms of the types of research, the range of actors and where it is happening. In the guest editorial two very experienced practitioners, David Ryan and Elizabeth Lomas, critically review the development of research in the field, acknowledging the progress while highlighting the gaps in funding for “in-depth” research in the UK. As she leaves her academic post at Liverpool University to take up her appointment as Head of Collections and Research at The National Archives in the UK, Caroline Williams, in her opinion piece, charts the development of her realisation that true professional practice in the field of records management is not possible without undertaking research and presenting its results.

The scene on research having been set from the practitioner and academic perspective, the articles go on to explore and present the full range of research activities and outcomes across the world. Ruth Frendo and Philip Thornborow draw on their Master’s dissertations and explore, respectively, the dangers for records and archives management of discrete metadata capture and the challenge of managing records in the highly distributed network which is the Methodist Church of Great Britain.

There is then a shift to doctoral research and in geographic perspective with Marjo Valtonen from Finland presenting a study on records management aspects of pre-trial investigation documentation and Kate Cumming from Australia examining the roles and purposes of recordkeeping metadata.

The final two papers are authored by academics and focus on research into records management in practice. Nigel Craig and James Sommerville investigate the potential of a very new technology, digital pen and paper, as a records management mechanism on construction sites. Julie McLeod, Sue Childs and Sue Heaford present the findings of a project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Board in the UK, to evaluate records management capacity and compliance toolkits.

The issue concludes with four book reviews. The first is very much in keeping with the overall theme and is a guide to undertaking research in the information field. Two others bring in the historical dimension, one a guide to retention management in historic houses and the other an exploration of preservation theory and practice. The final review considers the fourth publication in the series designed to provide practical guidance on implementing BS ISO 15489, which focuses on how to comply with the international standard.

Some of the articles were invited, others submitted for consideration in the standard manner (see full details at www.emeraldinsight.com/info/journals/rmj/notes.jsp). I hope that, having read the articles, you may be encouraged to share an opinion or present your own research, ideas or an analysis of your own professional activity.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Catherine Hare