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Dissertation Information for Amber L. Cushing

NAME:
- Amber L. Cushing

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (USA) (2012)

ADVISORS:
- Donald O. Case

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Diane Kelly
- Helen R. Tibbo
- Susan Kleine

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: Possessions and self extension in digital environments: Implications for maintaining personal information

Abstract: This research explores individuals' relationships with their personal digital information through the concepts of digital possessions and self extension. Two studies were conducted. In the first study, twenty-three participants were interviewed about their definitions of digital possessions and digital legacies, and about their connections to their personal digital information. In the second study, forty-eight participants were asked to conduct three Q sorting tasks in order to gain a better understanding of their thoughts and opinions regarding self extension to digital possessions and maintaining digital possessions for a digital legacy. Findings revealed that digital possessions: (1) provide evidence about the individual, (2) represent the individual's identity, (3) are recognized by the individual as having value and, (4) provide a sense of bounded control. Self extension to digital possessions exists on a multilayered spectrum consisting of the characteristics of self extension to possessions, possession attachment, and use. Finally, participants used "archival logic" when maintaining digital possessions, preferring characteristics that describe primary and/or secondary values of digital possessions. Results have implications for the tools, strategies, and methods archival professionals use when helping people create and maintain digital legacies.

MPACT Scores for Amber L. Cushing

A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2017-05-10 17:02:15

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