File (level of arrangement)
Definition
An organized unit of documents, usually within a series, brought together because they relate to the same subject, activity, or transaction.
Source: Canadian Council of Archives. Appendix D: Glossary. http://archivescanada.ca/uploads/files/Publications/RADComplete_July2008.pdf.
Introduction
In archival description, the term file refers to a level of arrangement.
The Canadian Rules for Archival Description (RAD) recognizes the following levels of arrangement:
Each level of arrangement has a corresponding level of description (i.e., levels of description are determined by levels of arrangement). According to RAD Principle P5.0:
The description of any unit of material will reflect its unique pattern of arrangement. For instance, records arranged as a fonds or collection might be described using multiple levels to represent both the whole and its parts. In the case of a discrete item, the description would reflect only a single level of arrangement.
Related terms
Collection