Evaluation of RDA as an Implementation of FRBR and FRAD

Abstract

Resource Description and Access (RDA) is based on the original entity-relationship statements of the conceptual models Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) and Functional Requirements for Authority Data (FRAD). This article reviews the degree of alignment of RDA with FRBR and FRAD, covering user tasks, entities, attributes and relationships. It discusses the divergences that exist, those of both greater and lesser significance, and looks at the ways in which RDA incorporates both models into a single content standard. The ways in which RDA implements FRBR and FRAD, as well as the areas of divergence, may provide valuable insights towards the consolidation of the FRBR family of conceptual models.