Compare And Study On The Theory Of Life Cycle Of Records In Home And Abroad

The theory of life cycle of records is a records management theory that studies the whole life movement process and its inherent law from producing to destroying or keeping for ever. This theory has gradually prevailed in the west since produced in middle period of the 20th century, causes people have an interest in exploring it deeply and probing into to it, especially raised the climax studied about this problem in the electronic records times. The theory gives rise to extensive contending in Chinese archives research field after it had been introduced into our country in the 1980s, which mainly focuses on division phases and division bases of life cycle of records. This thesis discusses such questions as whether the theory of life cycle of records suits for our country and whether suits for electronic records through making a contrast for the research of the theory of life cycle of records in home and abroad. Moreover, the thesis summarizes some viewpoints of the contention among Chinese archivists in recent years so we may deepen understanding of the theory and its research.The whole thesis consists of four parts.The First part introduces the formation and development, meaning and research state of life cycle of records and the theory of life cycle of records both in home and abroad. At first, the theory of life cycle of records is out of studying on file centers, later, the research range of this theory had been expanded to the whole movement course and managed in an all-round way of records. This theory establishes the foundation for grading management and the whole process management, and provides the theoretical foundation for file department or file clerk to front end control. The theory of life cycle of records as the kernel of records management theories is the symbol of the development of modern foreign archives.The second part analyses the division bases of life cycle of traditional records in home and abroad, expounds the similarities and differences between the theory oflife cycle of records and the law of natural formation of archives, and the diversities of division bases influence on the setup of records management organizations. Owing to the differences of research methods and breakthrough points, archival science researchers have a different view on division bases of life cycle of traditional records. The law of natural formation of archives is similar to the theory of life cycle of records, both of them have a grate directive function on the archives work practice of our country, but they are not equal to each other completely. The diversities of division bases cause different records and archives management organizations in various countries, which mainly embody on half-active records management.The third part analyses the division bases of life cycle of electronic records in home and abroad, impact on "file" link and archives department's function. In information age, the electronic records become a new field that be paid more attention by archival academia. The division bases of life cycle of electronic records pay more attention to the management procedure of electronic records, emphasizes the importance of the whole management and front end control. Document work and archives work gradually towards iteratively managing, which causes archival science researcher question that "file" is the line of demarcation between records and archives. Archives department gets involved in the stage of document work ahead of time, changed into the control centre of information from the original custody base.The fourth part compares the study on the division bases of life cycle of traditional records and electronic records in home and abroad, probes into the adaptability of the theory of life cycle of records in electronic times. The form of records value is the essential bases for dividing the life cycle of records in home and abroad, which provides a main basis for putting forward the theory of life cycle of records. But, records have so different characteristics with traditional papery records that cause archival science researchers to question adaptability of this theory in electronic times. This part through comparing the similarities and differences among the theory of life cycle of records, the theory of life cycle of electronic records and the theory of records continuum, in order to find out a management theory that suitsfor movement characteristic of electronic records.Any theory has a process from sprout to perfect progressively. There are still many limitations in the theory of life cycle of records oneself. The archival science researchers of various countries neither copy blindly nor totally negate, but should on the basis of studying the laws of movement of records with rational sight, draw on the experience of each other from comparison, and develop it constantly.