How it is you write scope and content notes in finding aids
Purpose of the scope and content note
- Give users information about the nature of the archival materials and the activities of the creator which generated them
- Helps users determine the relevance of the materials to their research question
Think of this note to be more of the archivist's opinion; archivists knowledge comes into play; acknowledging the strengths of the collection; this should be analytical; opposed to a history note which is factual
Information included in a scope and content note
- Corresponds to DACS 3.1
- Functions, activities, transactions, and processes that generated the materials being described
- Documentary forms or intellectual characteristics of the record being described (minutes, diaries, reports, etc)
- Content dates (time period) covered by the intellectual content or subject of the unit being described
- Geographic areas and places to which the records pertain
- Subject matter to which the records pertains, such as topics, events, people and organizations
- Any other information that assists the user in evaluating the relevance of the materials, such as completeness, changes in location, ownership and custody
Other important instructions
- Source of the information for the scope and content note is primarily the records themselves, thus a full note usually cannot be written without processing a collection (arranging and describing it)
- Make sure that you note gaps in the records (except for those gaps that results from appraisal decisions, which should be recorded in the appraisal element area DACS 5.3)
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