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Scientific Testing Policy

It is the policy of the Spurlock Museum to support and promote research on collections entrusted to its care in ways consistent with their preservation and protection.  The Museum will seek to weigh the research potential for contribution to knowledge against the possible effects of testing on the object, the Museum, and its resources.  The Museum will approve or deny requests for scientific sampling, testing, and analysis, both destructive and non-destructive, following a careful review of the following considerations:

1. The value of the potential knowledge to be gained by the proposed analysis and the likelihood that a valid result will be attained;
   
2. The soundness of the proposed research methodology, testing, and the demonstrated competence of the researcher and other involved parties to carry out the research;
   
3. The researcher’s acknowledgement of responsibility and confirmation of intention to publish or otherwise disseminate the results of the analysis;
   
4. The extent of loss, damage, or disfigurement that will be caused to the object and the degree to which it can be minimized;
   
5. The uniqueness, rarity, integrity, and the intellectual and aesthetic value of the object;
   
6. The potential for public objection to the testing and treatment of the object because of cultural beliefs; and
   
7. The availability of financial, staff, time, and other resources required to implement the request.
   

Scientific Testing Procedure

The following procedures govern requests for scientific tests on objects in the Museum’s permanent collections:

1. The researcher must submit a written proposal to the Registrar.  The Registrar, with the assistance of the Assistant Registrar for Acquisitions, will bring the proposal to the Acquisition Committee.  The Acquisition Committee review process for the proposal will be implemented in the same manner as acquisitions; see the Acquisitions Policy, Part A, #3.  Applications should include the following information:
   
1. Names and contact information of the researcher and all affiliated persons and facilities to be involved in the testing, evaluation, and publication of results
2. List of the objects to be tested, including accession numbers
3. Supporting documents to demonstrate how these items were selected for testing, why the scientific testing is important, and value of the potential knowledge to be gained by the proposed analysis
4. Description of the procedures and methodology to be used, including: an agreement that the researcher will cause the least possible damage or disfigurement to the object; will follow the Museum’s policy and procedure and the Collection Manager’s recommendations for handling objects; and will return to the Museum all materials not destroyed, including thin sections or other samples taken, identified by accession number as to the object of origin
5. Expected time schedule
6. Acknowledgement that the researcher will provide to the Museum a copy of all raw data resulting from the analysis and a copy of all manuscripts, submissions, reports, papers, and publications that make use of these data, including a copy of the concordance of any new numbers assigned for research purposes with accession numbers assigned by the Museum
7. Acknowledgment of responsibility and confirmation of intention to publish or otherwise disseminate the results of the analysis
8. If applicable, a written statement addressing cultural sensitivity issues
   
2. The Acquisition Committee is to communicate its decision to the researcher in writing, stating the conditions of the agreement in the event of approval or the reasons for rejection in the event of denial.
   
3. Samples for testing are taken by the Museum’s Collections Manager or under his/her direct supervision or per Collection Manager’s prior written approval.
   
4. Outgoing Loan Policy, Part A, #4, is followed for all objects and samples of objects being removed from the Museum for scientific testing.
   
5. Photography Policy, Part C, is followed for any new photography of objects in the collections or for the publication of images produced by the Museum or from the Museum’s Documentary Multimedia Collection.
   
6. Packing and Shipping Policy, Part B, #5, is followed for all objects and samples of objects being removed from the Museum for scientific testing.  Packing and shipping is arranged under the direct supervision of the Museum’s Collections Manager.
   
7. Copies of all documentation are preserved by the Registration and Collections Management Sections; see Collections Documentation and Institutional History Records Policy, Part D.
   
8. Results from scientific analysis are confidential until published by the individual(s) making the original request or, if the researcher fails to publish within a reasonable period of time, are released with permission from the Director in consultation with University Legal Counsel.