Gagnaheimildir

Gagnaheimildir is a term used in information science and archival practice to designate the sources of information and evidence that underlie a dataset, document, or research output. Derived from Icelandic words gagna (data, information) and heimildir (sources, authorities), the term emphasizes provenance and trust in information systems.

Scope includes primary documents, scholarly publications, databases, field notes, interviews, and digital records that a researcher consulted. It also covers metadata describing the origin, access conditions, and version history of those sources.

In practice, managing gagnaheimildir involves recording citations, attaching provenance metadata to data objects, and maintaining traceable links to original materials. Archivists and data stewards use standardized metadata and citation practices to support reproducibility, accountability, and legal compliance. The concept is closely tied to data governance, recordkeeping, and information ethics.

Applications include scholarly publishing, where authors disclose gagnaheimildir to enable verification; digital repositories, which capture provenance histories; and research data management plans that outline source material and access rights. The term reinforces the importance of transparent sourcing in both historical and contemporary information work.

See also: data provenance, metadata, citation, archival provenance.