Which method is utilized to ensure longevity and functionality of digital records over time?

Normalization is a method vital for ensuring the longevity and functionality of digital records over time. It involves the process of standardizing and structuring data to maintain consistency and improve accessibility. By normalizing digital records, archivists can reduce redundancy and enhance data integrity, which contributes to the long-term preservation of the information.

This approach helps facilitate easier retrieval and ensures that the records can be used in various contexts, even as technology changes. As digital formats evolve, normalization allows for the preservation of essential metadata and supports ongoing usability, making it a key practice in digital archiving.

In contrast, while digitization refers to converting analog materials into digital formats, it does not inherently ensure the ongoing usability of those records. Compression involves reducing the file size of digital assets, which may affect their quality and usability over time if not managed carefully. Aggregation refers to the collection and grouping of data but does not specifically address the long-term preservation needs of individual digital records.