ZAWIYAH M. YUSOF AND ROBERT W. CHELL
Abstract
This article examines the various definitions accorded to the two key terms in records management - the records and records management. Variations in their definition have lead to confusion which affects the formulation of theory to underpin the discipline. This problem is to be discussed in two separate parts. Part 1 discusses the changing definition of the `record' as it evolves from an archives perspective, through a management perspective to an information technology perspective. These changes have lead to changes in the status of records. This is discussed as records as objects vs records as electronic objects.
However, this is not a new issue. It was recognised by Jenkinson as early as 1922.
The debate on the definition of records concludes that any new definition needs to take account of the component parts of a record: the information, the medium and the function. Part 2 will discuss the various definitions of records management.
Current subscribers to Records Management Journal can click here 
to download the full text of these articles as a PDF file (98.56 Kb). If you are a current subscriber to Records Management Journal and you wish to be issued with a username and password please use the online form provided.
