To ensure that ATSIDA continues to build a collection of value, criteria are used to evaluate potential datasets acquired by or submitted to ATSIDA.
1. Ensure they fall within the Scope of Collections.
2. Assess their content, long term value and the feasibility and level of potential interest in their re-use. Factors influencing this evaluation include:
- the geographic and/or temporal scope is significant; the subject coverage of the datasets is broad and may be of interest across the social science and humanities disciplines;
- the datasets are not generally available in any other form eg paper;
- accession into ATSIDA makes the resource more accessible;
- the dataset adds to or is made more valuable by existing holdings, in particular where it complements an existing series;
- the dataset fills a gap in the existing holdings;
- the datasets are such that their continued access would otherwise be threatened (this may justify acceptance of the material for preservation despite access restrictions if funding is available);
- significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
3. Determine if they may be viably managed, preserved and distributed to potential secondary users. Factors influencing this evaluation include:
- the datasets are of a type with which ATSIDA has expertise or may easily obtain expertise or expert advice;
- the datasets format can be converted to suitable dissemination and preservation formats;
- the level and quality of documentation reach an appropriate standard to enable a secondary analyst to make informed use of the datasets.
4. Determine if there is another archive, data centre or institutional repository more appropriate for dissemination, curation or preservation of these datasets.
There are also criteria for rejection of datasets. These are for guidance only and ATSIDA may be prepared to accept datasets that fall into one or more of these categories after discussion and agreement. The criteria for rejection are as follows:
- datasets do not meet the criteria outlined in the assessment of content above;
- the documentation is insufficient to enable understanding and further analysis of the datasets;
- there are insurmountable legal obstacles such as rights management or disputed ownership issues that have not been, or are unlikely to be, resolved satisfactorily;
- use of the datasets would not be possible without infringing legislation;
- ethical issues which may affect future re-usage remain unresolved;
- the depositor wishes to impose unnecessarily stringent access conditions or an indefinite embargo on use without adequate provisions for reconsideration;
- the datasets would be more effectively dealt with by another organisation or institution.