Project Approach

The AC+erm Project was consciously conducted within the terms of explicit methodologies and their underlying philosophies and paradigms. To ensure a rigorous and consistent approach, these were identified and developed before the research process was started; the agreed philosophical and methodological positions determined or informed the approach, methods and tools appropriate for carrying out the research.

The primary methodologies and methods through which the Project conducted its research were a Systematic Literature Review; a series of Delphi Studies; and a series of face-to-face Colloquia.

Phase 1: Systematic Literature Review (SLR)
The first phase of the project comprised a major literature review of the topic of e-records management. The review was conducted using the SLR methodology, which had not previously been used in the records management field. The SLR is particularly well developed in the medical field, but its use is also increasing in social science disciplines.

Phase 2: Investigation
The investigative phase of the project explored three facets of designing an organisation-centred architecture for electronic records management (ERM). These three facets – people issues, understanding work processes, and systems and technologies – were investigated in sequence, the People and Process phases taking place in 2008 and the Technology phase in 2009. Informed by the Systematic Literature Review, the investigations combined e-Delphi studies and face-to-face colloquia involving a mix of experts, disciplines and recordkeeping stakeholders.

Delphi Studies
The Delphi studies gathered primary data from selected participants (~20 people per facet) and developed a picture of ‘expert opinion' on each facet (People, Processes and Technology). Their electronic form enabled anonymous and geographically wide participation. The Delphi technique was developed in the 1950s at the Rand Corporation to gather a consensus of ‘expert’ opinion.

Colloquia
The analysis of the Delphi Study data provided the basis for the discussions held in the series of free Project colloquia, intended to facilitate further data collection and ongoing dissemination of results. These events also proved to be valuable focal points for discussion and interaction between records professionals, academics in the recordkeeping disciplines, and experts and users from a wider base of disciplines and groups.

The first aim of the colloquia was to validate and extend the Delphi studies through face-to-face discussions between a larger audience of participants. The two methods (of e-Delphis and colloquia) provided a sound balance in terms of data collection enabling expert opinion, experience and views on each issue to be gathered; practical solutions to be shared and refined, and partnerships to be built. The second aim was to keep delegates informed of our research progress and to share ongoing findings.

A full discussion of the Project's methods is contained in the document AC+erm Project: Philosophical, Paradigmatic and Methodological Underpinnings, which is available through the link on the right. This publication sets out the theoretical framework under which the Project’s research was conducted.

It is structured to provide an overview of the basic theoretical underpinnings, followed by details of the specific protocols, methodologies and methods used in examining the Project’s two main research bases (literature and expert participants). It then sets out the means by which the data from these two bases was documented, stored, and analyzed.