Computer knowledge in the field of personal archiving: an exploratory study based on grounded theory

Introduction. Personal archiving has transformed from traditional general knowledge to literacy-oriented ability, which requires professional knowledge and skills in the digital age. The purpose of this paper is to propose a theoretical framework to illustrate the computer knowledge applied by computer practitioners and their mechanisms for applying computer knowledge in their personal archiving. Method. In-depth interviews were conducted with twenty-one computer practitioners in China. Analysis. The grounded-theory methodology was adopted for data analysis, and an integrated model of computer-knowledge composition and application mechanisms in the personal-archiving field was constructed. Results. Computer knowledge is reflected in the cognitive, archiving, sorting, storage and retrieval processes of personal archiving. It focuses mainly on archiving skills, document naming and sorting, archive security and storage, and archive retrieval. Computer practitioners have developed a knowledge-application mechanism that focuses on demand- and knowledge-driven actions in their personal-archiving behaviour. Moreover, the computer-knowledge composition in the personal-archiving field is very close to the knowledge requirements of computer literacy. Conclusions. Computer literacy should become an indispensable part of personal-archiving knowledge composition. Moreover, increasing the efficiency of personal archiving is a feasible method to enhance its motivation.