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The OAIS Data Life Cycle at ICPSR

Preservation planning at ICPSR follows OAIS standards from ingest of digital content to access by data consumers. ICPSR works with data producers to optimize data and documentation, and with consumers to enhance the utility of the data they need.

Click on the image above to see a larger version of the OAIS reference model.

Digital Curation

Defining Digital Curation

Digital curation external link, which encompasses both data curation and digital preservation external link activities, is the active management and enhancement of trusted digital resources across the life cycle.

Sound curation practices assure that:

  • Digital content is captured for long-term use and its integrity assured
  • Researchers can find and use digital content for secondary analysis
  • Digital content is available in an appropriate form for the designated community
  • Privacy is protected for research subjects represented in data
  • Digital content is secured in online, near-line, and offline storage
  • Digital content is stored in preservable formats for current and future use

Community Standards and Practice

A de facto standard has emerged in the area of digital curation -- the Reference Model for an Open Archival Information System (OAIS), produced by the NASA Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems. OAIS is an ISO standard that provides the functional framework for sustaining digital objects in managed repositories. (More on OAIS)

ICPSR's Approach to Digital Curation

ICPSR's approach to digital curation is based on comformance to the OAIS Reference Model. ICPSR monitors developments in the community to identify projects and innovations that may be applicable to the ICPSR context and then integrates them into ICPSR procedures. This is a dynamic process, because local practice may also feed into good practice at the community level.

ICPSR strives to follow community standards and to provide good examples for others in these areas:

  • Selection and Appraisal
    Selection and appraisal criteria and deposit guidelines.

  • Ingest
    The process of bringing digital content into the repository. In the social science context, there is a focus on these three issues: Data Enhancement, Confidentiality and Privacy, and Dissemination.

  • Digital Preservation
    Ensuring meaningful meaningful long-term access to digital collections.

  • Access and Dissemination
    Providing access to digital content while observing requisite restrictions.

  • Disaster Planning
    Ensuring the sustainability of digital content and services.

Additional Resources