Data preservation is the act of conserving and maintaining both the safety and integrity of data. Preservation is done through formal activities that are governed by policies, regulations and strategies directed towards protecting and prolonging the existence and authenticity of data and its metadata.[1] Data can be described as the elements or units in which knowledge and information is created, [2] and metadata are the summarizing subsets of the elements of data; or the data about the data.[3] The main goal of data preservation is to protect data from being lost or destroyed and to contribute to the reuse and progression of the data.
- ^ "Dictionary Definitions". InterPARES 2 Terminology Database. InterPARES2. 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ Kitchin, R (2012). "Conceptualizing Data". The Data Revolution. London: Sage: 1–26.
- ^ Cyberinfrastructure Council (2007). "Cyberinfrastructure vision for 21st century discovery" (PDF). Washington DC: National Science Foundation.