Results of archival appraisal: a study of a Finnish City

Abstract

The study investigates which information is chosen for long-term retention in a municipality in Finland. The municipal Records Management Plan of the City of Helsinki was analyzed quantitatively to provide the research data. The results show that information pertaining to permanent or long-standing objects and phenomena, as well as those with long-lasting consequences (such as high-level decision-making, environmental factors, constructions, land use, and people), are more likely to have extended retention periods and may even be preserved permanently. According to archival literature, archival appraisal is a process influenced by theoretical considerations. However, the findings suggest that practical factors tend to guide the appraisal process more significantly. This raises the question of how appraisal decisions are made. The perceived value of information may depend on the level of detail provided about the functions and processes, as well as the knowledge possessed by the appraisers. However, the role that archival theory and other factors play cannot be understood without additional research.