GUIDELINES FOR THE CURATION OF GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS

ealising the following aims:
m to provide a secure written copy of data embodied in or accrued to a
specimen
m to provide thereby a means of accurate recognition of a specimen within a
collection.
4.3.2. Terminology control
The natural sciences fortunately possess several sets of classifications which apply
to museum specimens. Stores, catalogues or indexes can be arranged according to
these classifications. Thus, their use among museum geologists has become an
established convention, but sensitive to change. As attitudes to documentation
practices have evolved and particularly since computerised information systems
have come into use, curators have recognised the value of controlling all terms
used to describe and record specimens. Initially, this has meant the emergence of
conventions (referred to generally as 'data standards'), for the recording of
personal names, bibliographic references and dates, data which many disciplines
have in common (MDA 1980). Latterly, museum geologists have published
keyword lists, thesauri and descriptive classifications in an attempt to allow a
greater accuracy and unambiguity in item recording (e.g. Pettigrew & Holden
1978, McInnes 1978, Harrison & Sabine (eds) 1970; MDA 1980). Whilst data
standards to control the use of the primary categories of specimen information
are vital, these published lists seem to create more problems than they solve and
the MDA, at present advise against the production of wide-ranging and extensive
terminologies. Nevertheless, solutions to all these problems must be found, and
future work through the Geological Curators' Group is necessary. Until that time,
it has to be enough for us to recommend, in those areas where we are unable to
be more specific, that all geological curators obtain, follow or devise standard
terminologies and classifications and draw UD 'authoritv lists' or data standards for
every priiary category of information withh a record (See also MDA 1981, pp.
62-67.)
care and forethought given to the preparation and implementation of a good
system of data standards will increase the quality of the information recorded,
and hence, obviously the quality of information retrieved, 'GIGO' (Garbage
In - Garbage Out) applies to any data-capture retrieval system whether in
electronic or card index form. The rule of thumb philosophy which every curator
should apply when devising a system of terminological control is continually to
ask "What kind of information am I going to want to get out of this system?" and
hence, "Am I arranging that information in the most efficient way to provide the
answers to the kind of question I shall want to ask?"
4.3.3. Classifications- advice
Many of the information categories used in museums can be and often must be
classified. The following notes should be borne in mind when choosing or erecting
classifications:
m Hierarchies
Choose hierarchical classifications (e.g. Taxonomic and stratigraphic) which
allow general as well as specific determinations to be made.