STAR 6.0: Standard for Administrative Records

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Government of Nova Scotia
STAR: Standard for Administrative Records
Version 6.0

1.0 Structure and Content of STAR 6.0

2.0 Classification by Hierarchy

3.0 How to Use STAR Records Retention Schedules

4.0 How to Use STAR Online

4.0 How to Use STAR Online

Structure

"STAR Online" follows this same structure as STAR has always followed, a hierarchical structure going from the general to the specific with Main Groups, Primaries and Secondaries. STAR Online opens to the Table of Contents which provides a starting point with links to the introductory materials (Foreword and How To Use STAR), each Main group, the index, concordance table and a PDF version of the STAR manual. The index was compiled using terms from primaries, case file titles, selected terms from previous version and some terms from scope notes. The concordance table assists users in converting STAR 5.0 classifications to STAR 6.0, serves as a great implementation tool. Web tools enhance a users' ability to navigate throughout the hierarchy and provide superior searching of content. STAR Online also has greater print capabilities.

Special Features

Bookmarks – you can bookmark your favourite primaries: http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/star/primary.asp?PRIM=5600 (Records Management)

Navigation Bar - on the right of the page helps you navigate through STAR. The Table of Contents is always listed: Foreword, How to Use STAR, Main Groups, Index, Concordance and STAR PDF. At the level of each Main Group, the primaries for that specific Main Group are listed which provides easy access to the other primaries in the same Main Group. When in the index or concordance table this bar lists the Table of Contents again. If you want to return to the beginning, click Main Groups and it will return to the Table of Contents.

Each title found in the Table of Contents, Main group page, Secondary menu, index and concordance table is highlighted in blue and links to the appropriate description.

Abbreviations – move your mouse over abbreviations and the name and definition appear (tool tip).

Secondary Scope Notes - retention schedule and SO definition also appear with the secondary scope note. This feature enables the user to see the schedule immediately without having to navigate back up the page. In addition, with the placement of the classification number, title, retention schedule and SO definition being displayed together, the information can easily be copied for designing file labels.

OPRs at each secondary are specific to each department and appear blank; however, in the print view you can input the name of the OPRs for printing.

Enhanced Searching

Search – the purpose of search is to enhance searching without using the index. It enables you to find Secondaries by keying in part of a word without having to got through all of the layers of STAR. For example, if looking for accounts payable or access, key in 'acc' and menu of case file titles with 'acc' in the title will appear. Click the appropriate case file and click SEARCH, then the secondary title will appear. Click the title and the primary page will appear on your screen. SEARCH is connected to the mains, primaries and secondaries and not the index. For instance, if you try to search equipment you will not find it, however, if you go to the index you will find equipment there.

As stated above each title is highlighted and linked to the main group or primary description.

Index – the index is comprised of titles of mains, primaries and secondaries as well as terms used in the previous version and from the concordance table. The term links directly to the appropriate primary.

Concordance Table – the purpose of the Concordance Table is to assist STAR 5.0 users convert to STAR 6.0. Each secondary that has not been discontinued or has been changed in some way is directly link to the appropriate primary in STAR 6.0.

Printing

STAR Online - this format differs from the official version in PDF where date of endorsement and the abbreviations are found at the end of the Secondary Scope Notes. STAR Online has a print view for printing each primary with the secondary scope notes. In the print view the OPRs can be filled in prior to printing.

STAR PDF – the PDF version of STAR is the closest to the official format of STAR that was approved by the GRC. In this format you may print the entire document or selected pages as you would with any PDF using Adobe Acrobat.

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