Continuity alternatives

The primary account uses continuing participant representations across preparation, visits, objects, events, later activity. Researchers retain sources and context while comparing the material. Continuing history explains this arrangement.

Organizers can instead use session-only references, object-specific accounts, selected connections among visits. A session account supports a bounded comparison. An object-specific account supports a reply through a possession. A more extensive history supports longitudinal interpretation and responsive visits. Staff identify the material available during a particular decision.

The institution can support different arrangements for different participants or activities. Administrators explain access, revision, recovery, current permitted uses. Legal custody information can remain separately controlled from public accounts. Identity references, permissions, withdrawal describe practical administration.

A later decision to connect records receives an explicit account of its scope and source associations. Researchers examine the consequences of limited or extensive context through longitudinal comparison.