Case File Theory: Does It Work in Practice?

  • Ellen Scheinberg

Abstract

After reviewing the pertinent literature in the area of selection, sampling, and appraisal, the author recounts her experience applying this information to a backlog project that involved approximately 525 metres of case files created by over one thousand Canada Employment Centres across Canada. In addition to illustrating the benefits of the macro-appraisal method, the backlog project provided an interesting model for investigating the relationship between and implications of records scheduling and backlog reduction. Finally, the author outlines and stresses the physical and intellectual benefits that arise from the implementation of this type of backlog initiative.

RÉSUMÉ

Après avoir fait la revue de la littérature pertinente dans le domaine du tri, de l'échantillonnage, et de l'évaluation, l'auteure relate l'expérience qu'elle a faite de l'application de ces connaissances à un projet d'évaluation d'environ 525 m de dossiers individuels créés par plus de cent centres d'Emploi Canada à travers le pays. En plus d'illustrer les avantages de la méthode d'évaluation d'ensemble des fonctions d'un organisme (macro-appraisal), le projet d'évaluation des dossiers de l'arriéré d'Emploi Canada fournit un modèle intéressant pour examiner les implications et les rapports entre l'établissement des calendriers de conservation et la réduction de l'arriéré. Enfin, l'auteure met en lumière les bénéfices physique et intellectuels de cette approche de l'arriéré des dossiers d'un organisme.

Author Biography

Ellen Scheinberg
After completing a Masters degree in history at Queens University in 1990, Ellen Scheinberg joined the Government Archives Division, National Archives of Canada where she is responsible for the records of Human Resources and Development Canada (formerly the Canadian Employment and Immigration Commission). Ellen is currently President of the EOAA chapter of the Archives Association of Ontario, and also writes on both archival and historical subjects. Her most recent piece, "The Tale of Tessie the Textile Worker: Female Textile Workers in Cornwall, Ontario During the Second World War," was published in Labour/Le Travail in the spring of 1994.
Published
1994-02-07
How to Cite
Scheinberg, Ellen. 1994. “Case File Theory: Does It Work in Practice?”. Archivaria 38 (February), 45-60. https://archivaria.ca/index.php/archivaria/article/view/12023.
Section
Articles