Make & keep
Add a confidence key to a photo-strip catalogue
Show readers how an identification was established without burying the evidence.
A confidence label is useful only if it explains the evidence behind the claim. Define a small set of terms, apply them consistently and make the source for each identification visible in the record.
Choose plain terms
For example, separate “inscribed on object,” “identified by named contributor,” “supported by dated document” and “unresolved.” Avoid percentages unless you have a defined method. Put the key at the start of the catalogue.
Evidence: Preservation guidance
Attach evidence
For each name, date or place, record the source identifier and a short note about what it establishes. A caption on the reverse may support a date but not prove every person’s identity. Keep the claim no broader than the evidence.
Review old records
Apply the key first to a small batch and ask another reader whether they can tell fact from inference. If two records use the same label for different kinds of evidence, revise the definitions before extending the scheme. The label describes evidence, not certainty in the abstract.
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- Library of Congress — Recommended Formats Statement: Still Image WorksPreservation guidance