Digital preservation has become an essential aspect of scholarly communication in the digital age. With the increasing reliance on digital platforms for publishing and accessing scholarly works, it is crucial to ensure that these works are preserved for future generations. However, a recent study of Crossref DOI data by Martin Eve has raised concerns about the current standard of digital preservation and its ability to ensure a persistent and accurate record of scholarly works.
The study, which analyzed over 100 million DOIs from Crossref, revealed that a significant number of scholarly works are at risk of being lost due to various factors such as technical obsolescence, financial constraints, and lack of long-term planning. This is a worrying trend, as it could lead to a loss of valuable research and knowledge, hindering the progress of science and academia.
One of the main issues highlighted in the study is the reliance on third-party platforms for digital preservation. While these platforms may provide efficient and cost-effective solutions for preserving scholarly works, they also pose a risk as they are not under the control of the scholarly community. This means that if these platforms were to shut down or change their policies, the scholarly works hosted on them could be lost forever.
Moreover, the study also found that many publishers do not have a long-term preservation plan in place for their digital content. This is particularly concerning as digital formats are constantly evolving, and without a proper preservation plan, there is a high risk of data loss or corruption. As a result, the scholarly community could lose access to important research and data, hindering the progress of science and academia.
Another significant finding of the study is the lack of funding for digital preservation. As digital preservation is not a one-time cost, but rather an ongoing process, it requires sustained financial support. However, many publishers, especially smaller ones, may not have the resources to invest in digital preservation. This could lead to a situation where important scholarly works are lost due to lack of funding, which is a major concern for the scholarly community.
The study also highlights the issue of technical obsolescence, which refers to the loss of access to digital content due to changes in technology. As technology evolves, older formats become obsolete, making it difficult to access and preserve digital content. This is a major challenge for digital preservation, as it requires constant updates and migration to new formats to ensure long-term accessibility.
The findings of this study raise important questions about the current standard of digital preservation and its ability to ensure a persistent and accurate record of scholarly works. It is clear that the scholarly community needs to take urgent action to address these issues and ensure the long-term preservation of digital scholarly records.
One possible solution is for publishers and scholarly societies to take a more proactive approach towards digital preservation. This could involve investing in long-term preservation plans and collaborating with other stakeholders in the scholarly community to develop sustainable preservation strategies. It is also important for publishers to have a contingency plan in place in case of the shutdown of third-party platforms or changes in technology.
Furthermore, the study highlights the need for increased funding for digital preservation. Governments, funding agencies, and other stakeholders in the scholarly community need to recognize the importance of digital preservation and provide sustained financial support for this crucial aspect of scholarly communication.
In addition, there is a need for greater awareness and education about digital preservation among researchers, publishers, and other stakeholders in the scholarly community. Many may not fully understand the risks and challenges associated with digital preservation, and therefore, it is important to educate them about the importance of this issue and the steps they can take to ensure the long-term preservation of their digital content.
In conclusion, the study by Martin Eve has shed light on the potential risks faced by digital scholarly records. It is clear that the current standard of digital preservation falls short of ensuring a persistent and accurate record of scholarly works. However, with proactive measures and increased support from all stakeholders, we can overcome these challenges and ensure that valuable research and knowledge are preserved for future generations. It is crucial for the scholarly community to take action now to safeguard the digital record of our collective intellectual heritage.
