Archivist Ethical & Legal Standards 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of ethical standards in archiving?
- Ensure integrity and authenticity of records (Correct answer)
- Allow unrestricted editing of records
- Encourage selective access to historical data
- Enable the deletion of controversial records
Correct answer: Ensure integrity and authenticity of records
Ethical standards ensure the integrity, accessibility, and authenticity of archived records for future generations.
Question 2: Which law governs the protection of personal data in archives?
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (Correct answer)
- Fair Housing Act
- Freedom of Information Act
- Clean Air Act
Correct answer: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) ensures that archived personal data is handled with proper consent and protection.
Question 3: What is a key ethical responsibility of archivists?
- Ensure fair access while protecting sensitive data (Correct answer)
- Restrict public access arbitrarily
- Sell historical records for profit
- Ignore confidentiality agreements
Correct answer: Ensure fair access while protecting sensitive data
Archivists have an ethical duty to provide equal access to information while protecting sensitive materials from misuse.
Question 4: Which principle ensures that records remain unaltered and verifiable?
- Principle of authenticity (Correct answer)
- Data Minimization Principle
- Selective Archiving Principle
- Record Discarding Principle
Correct answer: Principle of authenticity
The principle of authenticity guarantees that archived records remain unmodified and accurately reflect their original content.
Question 5: What is the consequence of failing to comply with archival legal standards?
- Fines and legal penalties (Correct answer)
- Increased storage space
- Stronger customer trust
- No repercussions
Correct answer: Fines and legal penalties
Failure to comply with legal standards can lead to fines, legal action, and reputational damage for the institution.
Question 6: Which regulation allows public access to government-held information?
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (Correct answer)
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- National Security Act
- Tax Reform Act
Correct answer: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) grants public access to government-held records while ensuring transparency and accountability.
Archivist Ethical & Legal Standards 1
What is the primary purpose of ethical standards in archiving?