From the Top Down: The Practice of Macro-Appraisal

  • Catherine A. Bailey

Abstract

This article examines the application of the macro-appraisal model, which has been practised at the National Archives of Canada since 1991. After a conceptual review of the theory behind documentation strategy and the macro-appraisal model, the article outlines the National Archives' "planned approach" to the macro-appraisal of records of the Canadian federal government. Through a detailed analysis of four appraisals in the field of health and social welfare, a number of strengths and weaknesses of the macro-appraisal model are discussed.

RÉSUMÉ

Cet article traite du modèle de tri à grande échelle utilisé aux Archives nationales du Canada depuis 1991. Après un examen des concepts de la théorie supportant la stratégie documentaire et le modèle de tri archivistique à grande échelle, l'article présente l'approche planifiée des Archives nationales pour trier à grande échelle les archives du Gouvernement du Canada. Les forces et faiblesses du modèle sont discutées à l'aide d'une analyse détaillée de quatre projets de tri à grande échelle réalisées dans le domaine de la santé et des services sociaux.

Author Biography

Catherine A. Bailey

Catherine Bailey is the archivist responsible for health and welfare records in the Government Archives Division of the National Archives of Canada, a position she has held since August 1988. She holds an Honours B.A. in Canadian History (1986) and a Master of Archival Studies degree (1988) from the University of British Columbia. A founding member of the Association of Canadian Archivists' Special Interest Section on Electronic Records (SISER), she presently serves as its Secretary-Treasurer. She is Co-Editor of the ACA's Web Site, a member of the Advisory Board for the Archives Technician Programme of Algonquin College, and a member of the Canadian Council on Archives' Standards Committee.

Published
1997-02-12
How to Cite
Bailey, Catherine A. 1997. “From the Top Down: The Practice of Macro-Appraisal”. Archivaria 43 (February), 89-128. https://www.archivaria.ca/index.php/archivaria/article/view/12177.
Section
Articles

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