The Importance of Digital Records for Scientific Research Work in Archives (with Special Reference to the Archives of the Tuzla Canton)

Digital material holds particular significance for scientific research in archives. Digitization of archival material enables researchers worldwide to access archival material without the need to physically visit the archives. Digital material allows for faster searching and identification of relevant information in archival holdings and collections through keywords, metadata, or even text recognition technologies. This facilitates researchersʾ efficient access to the information they need for their work. Digital material enables the sharing of archival material with other researchers or institutions, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. Through digital platforms, researchers can easily access, review, and utilize archival material in their research. In short, digital material transforms the way archival material is accessed and used in scientific research, enabling broader availability, better searchability, more efficient analysis, and greater collaboration among researchers. This contributes to the advancement of scientific research and the preservation of cultural heritage. The author will try to point out the importance of digital records for scientific and research work in archives, with special reference to the Archives of the Tuzla Canton. Data on the number of researchers who used the archives’ services for scientific research purposes for the period 2020-2023 will be presented and with all the difficulties the researchers encountered. Also, based on the survey, we will present data on researchers from other archives in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who used digital records in their research, in order to be able to compare the scientific-research component in the archives of Bosnia and Herzegovina.