# data preservation

> type of conservation

**Wikidata**: [Q48797981](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48797981)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_preservation)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/data-preservation

## Summary
Data preservation is a type of conservation and a field of work focused on the long-term maintenance of data. It is a subclass of archiving and preservation activities aimed at prolonging the life of records or objects within libraries, museums, and archives.

## Key Facts
- Classified as a type of conservation and an instance of a field of work.
- Categorized as a subclass of both archiving and preservation.
- Identified in the IATE terminology database by entry ID 3576587.
- Represented in the Google Knowledge Graph by ID /g/11gdq16c7k.
- Associated with the Quora topic "Data-Preservation."
- Functions as a core component of the data archiving process, which involves collecting and preserving data.
- Closely related to digital preservation, a formal endeavor to ensure digital information remains accessible, trustworthy, and usable.
- Documented in Wikipedia across three languages: English, Japanese, and Korean.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the relationship between data preservation and archiving?
A: Data preservation is a subclass of archiving, which is the practice of creating archives. It is also a key part of the data archiving process, which encompasses both the collection and the preservation of data.

### Q: How does data preservation differ from digital preservation?
A: While data preservation is a general type of conservation, digital preservation is a specific, formal endeavor focused on ensuring that digital information of continuing value remains accessible and usable over time. Digital preservation is a related class with a higher sitelink count of 25.

### Q: What is the primary goal of preservation activities?
A: Preservation activities are aimed at prolonging the life of a record or object. These activities are typically carried out in the fields of museums, libraries, and archives to ensure the longevity of the items in their care.

## Why It Matters
Data preservation is a critical field of work that ensures the longevity and integrity of information. As a specialized type of conservation, it provides the necessary framework for prolonging the life of records and objects in institutional settings such as museums, libraries, and archives. By functioning as a subclass of both archiving and general preservation, it bridges the gap between the practice of creating archives and the active maintenance of the items within them. 

The significance of data preservation is further highlighted by its relationship to digital preservation. In an era where information is increasingly digital, the formal endeavor to keep data accessible, trustworthy, and usable is essential for maintaining historical and administrative records. Without these structured activities, valuable information could become inaccessible or lost over time. Its inclusion in international terminology databases like IATE and its presence in multiple languages on Wikipedia underscore its global relevance as a standardized practice in information management.

## Notable For
- Serves as a specific subclass of both the practice of archiving and the broader field of preservation.
- Recognized as a distinct entity in the IATE terminology database (ID 3576587).
- Integrated into the data archiving process, which specifically focuses on the collection and preservation of data.
- Maintains a global presence with Wikipedia titles in English, Japanese, and Korean.

## Body

### Classification and Hierarchy
Data preservation is formally defined as a type of conservation. It is categorized as an instance of both an "activity" and a "field of work." Within the hierarchy of information science, it is a subclass of:
*   **Archiving:** The practice of creating archives.
*   **Preservation:** The set of activities aimed at prolonging the life of a record or object in the fields of museum, library, and archive.

### Related Processes and Classes
Data preservation is interconnected with several other professional classes:
*   **Data Archiving:** This is the broader process of collecting and preserving data.
*   **Digital Preservation:** This is a formal endeavor to ensure that digital information of continuing value remains accessible, trustworthy, and usable. Digital preservation has a sitelink count of 25, indicating a high level of interconnectedness in digital knowledge bases.

### Technical Identifiers
The entity is tracked and categorized through several international and digital identifiers:
*   **IATE Entry ID:** 3576587
*   **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11gdq16c7k
*   **Quora Topic:** Data-Preservation
*   **Sitelink Count:** 3 (specifically for the "data preservation" entity)

### International Documentation
Data preservation is recognized internationally, with dedicated Wikipedia entries in the following languages:
*   English (en)
*   Japanese (ja)
*   Korean (ko)