Click on each entry to see their full assessment report.
Case Studies and Examples
For example, Maritime Archaeological Archives can include at-risk materials like photographs, maps and plans, field notebooks, post-excavation finds analysis and other analytical records. While there are trusted custodians of this data such as ADS, DANS or the British Museum, as well as in oceanographic research agencies, records of excavations in marine environments that fall outside the jurisdiction of terrestrial heritage services are especially at risk when there is no custodian, no preservation mandate, poor documentation and/or dependence on proprietary and non-standard data types. The first major challenge in the effort to preserve these materials is in identifying and sustaining a custodian. The second major challenge is identifying and engaging with subject matter experts as early as possible to understand innovative data recording technologies and address problems of format dependence and documentation.
Geomagnetic Data and Software offers another example of materials that can become at risk when there is a lack of preservation commitment, planning, identified repository, or capability in the current repository. The data, software and supporting paradata relating to Earth's magnetic field and Earth-Sun environment can include declination, geomagnetic field surveys and observations, field models and magnetic indices, and data from geomagnetic observatories. Given the range of different kinds of geomagnetic data and software, it is crucial for preservation to identify and engage with subject matter experts as early as possible to better understand and address problems arising from undocumented data cleaning, disassociation with documenting, lack of conformance or validation against standards, poorly managed intellectual property rights, and bespoke or undocumented software.
For research data, software, and outputs in and across disciplines and domains, the BitList Jury recommends the Core Trust Seal for institutions and repository assessments, as it incorporates many of the characteristics previously measured by the World Data System. The Jury also supports ongoing efforts to engage with subject matter specialists and researchers to examine and develop data management planning tools.
Please note: These examples of Maritime Archaeological Archives and Geomagnetic Data and Software were previously standalone entries in the 2019 BitList. The 2021 BitList Jury recommended their incorporation into this overview of the 'Research Outputs' species page to illustrate the complexity of research data and outputs with documentation requirements that may only be known to subject matter experts. Rather than sit as standalone entries in the list, they are presented here to emphasize the importance of identifying and collaborating with subject matter experts in and across research disciplines, inviting those in the digital preservation community to share their own case studies add to this page.