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Description Information (PDI). This points to the fact that there is a disconnect in the information as it passes through various stages of growth, which disqualifies it from adoption as an underpinning model for the present study. In addition, the DCC Curation Lifecycle Model was developed specifically as a data curation and preservation model. Therefore, it was not appropriate for the study which focuses on digital archives that must permanently be maintained as authentic records.
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investigation. Sources of conceptual frameworks include existing theory, knowledge based on experience, thought experiments and exploratory research (Maxwell 2013).
The importance of conceptual framework in research cannot be over-emphasized.
Grant and Osanloo (2014) reveal that a conceptual framework describes the link between the key concepts in a study and aids researchers to identify and construct their own worldview on the phenomena under investigation. Emphasizing on the importance of conceptual framework utilization in research studies, Ravitch and Riggan ( 2012:9) asserted that a conceptual framework helps to explain, justify and clarify methodological decisions in a study. Ngulube (2019) supported that theoretical triangulation enriches research by presenting several theoretical perspectives which enhance the understanding of the phenomenon under investigation.
For this study, the conceptual framework was useful in condensing multiple theories into one whole to shade light on the phenomenon under investigation. A conceptual framework was developed from the three underpinning models, based upon selected concepts in each theory and the subject matters derived from the research questions as illustrated in Table 2.2.
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Table 2.2: Relationship between theoretical models and research questions Research Question (s) Theoretical
Model(s)
Key Variables Addressed by the model(s)
What digital recordkeeping activities are undertaken in Kenyan public universities?
RC model Records creation, use, distribution, storage, maintenance, appraisal, disposition and
preservation (irrespective of format).
What is the state of digital archiving readiness in public universities in Kenya?
ARMA RM Maturity model
Accountability,
transparency, integrity, protection, compliance, availability, retention, disposition.
Which legal and regulatory
frameworks govern the management of digital archives in Kenya?
RC model Records and Archives Management laws, policies, rules and regulations; Archives management
responsibilities.
Which risk factors are digital archives exposed to in these universities?
ARMA RM Maturity model
Record technology risk, record control risk, legal and regulatory risk, administrative risk, environmental risk.
What possible solutions can be adopted to mitigate the identified risks and support sustainable digital archiving implementations in Kenyan public universities?
OAIS Reference Model and ARMA RM Maturity model
Risk mitigation strategies and suggestions towards developing a digital archiving framework.
Table 2.2 indicates the study’s research questions, theoretical models used to address each research question and key variables emerging from the models. Using this information, a diagrammatic representation of the conceptual relationships amongst the key concepts under investigation is provided in Figure 2.4.
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Figure 2.4: Conceptual framework (synthesized by the researcher)
The study took up an inductive approach that commenced with observations so as to develop theories and generalisations, as opposed to a positivist or deductive approach where research starts with a theory (Ngulube, Mathipa and Gumbo 2015).
Preliminary literature review was undertaken to identify the three ideal models for the study which are the RCM, OAIS and ARMA information governance models. Key variables in each model were identified and synchronized with literature review content (see Figure 2.4). Data collection was subsequently undertaken and linked with this information to enable the development of a digital archiving framework which integrated the key aspects of the three underpinning models adopted for the present study.
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2.4.1 Utility of the conceptual framework in the study
Utility of conceptual frameworks stems from their importance in defining of the research problem, creating theoretical coherence, shaping the research design and execution as well as formulation of conceptual conclusions (Berman 2013:2-3). In addition to these, a conceptual framework guides the literature review process by determining the themes along which it will be structured.
The research problem conceptualization for this study arose from the need to amass content on the current state of digital archiving in public universities in Kenya, which would later be useful in informing the formulation of approaches to enhance digital archiving practices, including the development of a framework. Therefore, all concepts pertinent to digital archiving required to be synthesized under a single conceptual framework. Hence, the conceptual framework provided the language and key terms to be used, and the professional context from which the research problem was derived.
Secondly, the conceptual framework was useful in achieving theoretical coherence by drawing together the multiple theoretical perspectives from the three underpinning models forming the reality within which the present study was defined. Formulation of the conceptual framework for the study was useful in establishing theoretical coherence of the research problem, articulating and bringing together the multiple theories involved and providing a foundation for theorizing and generating new knowledge.
The conceptual framework was also useful in aligning the research questions to the research problem and shaping the research design and fieldwork activities to be implemented. The concepts emanating from the research questions were embedded in the conceptual framework which was used to guide the literature review and methodology of the study. The research questions and themes were mapped to the conceptual framework, illustrating their relationship to the theoretical bases of the reality. The research design was therefore designed in response to the research questions as articulated in the conceptual framework. The data collection and subsequent analysis were also aligned to the conceptual framework and undertaken accordingly.
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Lastly, the conceptual framework enabled meaningful interpretation of the findings in line with the reality of the study and theoretical underpinnings, thereby demonstrating validity of the entire research (Knight and Cross 2012). As insinuated by Leshem and Trafford (2007:101), the conceptual framework links the study to its conceptual conclusions. In particular, the framework provided a point of reference for the conceptual and practical study conclusions, including the key research outcome which was the digital archiving framework.