Understanding and managing patchy data in the UK museum sector

It is well accepted that the museum sector has a longstanding problem with data collection and management. This article begins by exploring problems with gaining access to data, poor archiving and coverage, and the absence of data. We then explain how the Mapping Museums research team set out to remedy the lack of longitudinal data on the UK museum sector in the period between 1960 and 2020. Initially we collated and supplemented existing information on UK museums but it was impossible to fill some gaps or resolve some inconsistencies in the data. Here we discuss how we designed a database that was sensitive to the patchiness of the material, and that could model uncertain and absent data in computational terms. To close, we briefly comment on how our data enables research on museum history and on how the problems with data collection in the sector might be remedied in the longer term

A closer look Increasing access through interpretation

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The impact of local government reorganisation on Scottish museums

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Guidelines for strategic planning Writing a Heritage Strategy

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How good is your museum service?

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A review of Scotland's industrial museums and heritage sites

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Local authorities and museum services

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SMC policy on Heritage Lottery Fund Applications

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Best value for museums A corporate approach

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Taking responsiblity

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