What does the term "born-digital" refer to in archival practice?

The term "born-digital" in archival practice specifically refers to materials that were created in a digital format from the outset, as opposed to those that have been converted or digitized from physical formats. This encompasses any items, such as documents, images, videos, and software, that originated as digital entities, meaning they were produced using digital tools and exist only in digital form. This distinction is important in archiving as it shapes how these materials are preserved, described, and accessed, given that they are not based on any analog original.

The other options relate to different types of digital content but do not align with the definition of born-digital. Physical objects converted to digital formats represent items that existed physically first and then were digitized, while digital copies of analog records indicate a transformation from physical media. Additionally, records that have been archived but are no longer accessible point to issues of preservation and access rather than the origin of the digital materials themselves.