Metadata proposal for the description of the documentary series Labor Histories in public and private entities

Abstract

The article addresses archival description using metadata related to the Labor Histories (HL) documentary series, which currently holds evidentiary value. The main objective is to develop a homogeneous metadata proposal aimed at the description of the HL series in a sustainable manner for both public and private organizations. To achieve this, the following specific objectives are proposed: first, to analyze the existing description conditions in HL documentation within organizations; second, to identify the most appropriate types of metadata for describing the HL series; and third, to design a proposal of descriptive metadata focused on the HL series. These objectives are articulated to answer the following question: What types of metadata are most suitable for achieving a comprehensive description of HL pertaining to public and private entities? The adopted methodology corresponds to a qualitative approach, considering the possibility of understanding and interpreting the reality under investigation, as well as being based on the theoretical and conceptual analysis related to archival description and metadata. The main results indicate that HL records have a significant connection to labor actions and their evidentiary value, which presents greater challenges in administrative, legal, and technological aspects. The conclusions establish that metadata and archival description can be understood from a unified and relational conception, given the representative approach of information when it is presented in a structured and consistent manner.