In the comparison of descriptions the first group of entities is taken into consideration. When the entities are isolated, the FRBR-study identifies the characteristics or attributes associated with each entity and the relationships between the entities. They link the entities to the needs of the users of the records. They also provide the user ways to formulate a search query and explain relationships for identification and collocation. The relationships play an important part in the description of archival material.
Archival description proceeds from general to the specific.
The purpose is to present the context and the hierarchical structure of the fonds and parts. The fonds form the broadest level of description. If description of the parts is required, they may be described separately. The parts form subsequent levels, whose decription is often meaningful only when seen in the context of the description of the entire fonds. The description of the relationships between these parts is very important.