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Editorial

This study sought to investigate artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure required to manage records at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa. AI algorithms are used to assist robotic machines in performing their functions effectively and efficiently across different disciplines, including archives and records management. Convergent mixed-methods research was conducted, and data were collected using interviews and questionnaires. Data were analysed thematically and statistically and presented in tables and figures. The study revealed that AI infrastructure was a prerequisite for providing high-quality records management services at CSIR. However, the records management practitioners lack the knowledge and skills required to implement AI infrastructure for records management effectively. The study proposes a framework to guide the application of AI by CSIR. The proposed framework will specify the AI infrastructure required and AI application to the management of records at CSIR. It is hoped that the proposed framework will serve as a benchmark and guideline for the implementation of AI in the archives and records management industry.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic in 2020. Most countries around the world, including South Africa, have imposed national lockdowns. COVID-19 was declared a national disaster in South Africa in March 2020, in accordance with the Disaster Management Act, 2002. The Act, among other things, recognises the importance of having access to reliable disaster information, as well as information management and communication systems for storing, disseminating, and exchanging information. Additionally, in April 2020, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) issued a declaration calling for shared responsibility in preserving the documentary heritage that provides a historical perspective on how pandemics have been addressed in the past for future research. The declaration was supported by heritage organisations such as the International Council on Archives. This quantitative study used The UNESCO 2015 Recommendation Concerning the Preservation of, and Access to, Documentary Heritage Including in Digital Form to investigate how members of the South African Society of Archivists responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of preserving and providing access to documentary heritage. A structured web questionnaire was used to collect data. The study revealed that while some archives and records management practitioners’ institutions had preservation, access, and disaster preparedness measures in place, others did not. From the findings, policy directions and a framework for records and archives management are proposed.

This chapter reflects on the lesson learnt from the application of multi-methods in a quantitative study that was conducted to study patient record management in the public healthcare sector. In this study, a questionnaire was the main data collection tool, which was supported by interviews, observations, and document/system analysis data. In conducting the study, triangulation of multi-methods data was performed at different stages of the study. Currently there is no clear framework in social science research about the application of multi-method, mono-method, and mixed method research, which the study intends to clear. The study revealed that quantitative data need to be augmented with some narrative/qualitative data to make an empirical conclusion and recommendations because alone, it may not be completely reliable. Triangulation of multi-methods eliminates bias and closes some gaps where data leave some questions unanswered. The study provides a framework to guide on research method based on methods ingredients.