Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Pest Management • Archival Methods • Exhibition Planning

Research Methodology

Term from Museum Curation industry explained for recruiters

Research Methodology refers to the systematic ways museum professionals study, document, and analyze artifacts, artworks, and historical items. It's like a structured recipe that helps curators and museum staff gather reliable information about their collections. This includes how to properly examine objects, find trustworthy sources about them, interview experts, and document findings in a way that meets museum standards. When you see this term in resumes, it means the person knows how to conduct proper museum research, which is essential for creating accurate exhibits and maintaining collection records.

Examples in Resumes

Applied Research Methodology to document and catalog a collection of 19th-century artifacts

Trained junior curators in Research Methods for exhibition development

Used Research Methodology and Research Techniques to verify authenticity of historical documents

Typical job title: "Museum Researchers"

Also try searching for:

Museum Curator Collections Manager Research Associate Museum Specialist Cultural Heritage Researcher Collections Researcher Historical Researcher

Where to Find Museum Researchers

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Online Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you develop a research strategy for a major exhibition with limited historical documentation?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate experience in creating comprehensive research plans, including using multiple sources like archives, expert interviews, comparative analysis, and ability to work with incomplete information while maintaining academic standards.

Q: How do you validate the authenticity and provenance of collection items?

Expected Answer: Should discuss systematic approaches to verification, including cross-referencing multiple sources, working with authentication experts, using both primary and secondary sources, and understanding international standards for provenance research.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What databases and research tools do you use for collection documentation?

Expected Answer: Should mention experience with museum collection management systems, academic databases, archive systems, and explain how they use these tools to maintain accurate records.

Q: How do you ensure your research findings are accessible to different audience levels?

Expected Answer: Should discuss experience in translating complex research into understandable formats for various audiences, from scholarly publications to public exhibition texts.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic steps you take when researching a new artifact?

Expected Answer: Should be able to outline basic research steps like initial documentation, photography, measurement, basic condition assessment, and preliminary source checking.

Q: How do you organize and document your research findings?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic documentation practices, including note-taking, proper citation, digital filing systems, and basic database entry.