The concept of systems accounts for the organization and patterns of order that
characterize the natural world. Throughout the history of science, scientific activity has been
based on this concept, either implicitly under a mechanistic approach or explicitly under an
holistic systems approach. Contemporary science is now based on an holistic systems viewpoint
that encompasses both the natural and social worlds as objects for study.
Based on this context for the systems viewpoint, the thesis addresses archival constructs,
arising spontaneously as a byproduct of societal activity, as instances of systems. This is an
aspect of their nature that was recognized by traditional theorists, who devised the methodology
that still fundamentally guides archival practice. However, the archival field has not yet
recognized the applicability and utility of formal systems notions to the work of the archivist,
specifically to the tasks of arrangement, description, and appraisal. The thesis argues that
appropriate handling of archival constructs requires that they be treated as systems, that the
concept of systems provides a necessary framework for archival theory, and that by adopting a
systems viewpoint, the archival field may regain the status of a recognized profession and join
with other fields of applied science that contribute to systems research.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/10487 |
| Date | 05 1900 |
| Creators | Rodgers, Diane Margaret |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Relation | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] |
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