Twelfth International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

As one of museums’ core activities, research holds an ambiguous status. And as a topic in new museology, it remains obscure and neglected. Museological discourse indicates conflicting views and antagonistic approaches to the topic, sometimes creating counterproductive division lines between research and other museum activities. Furthermore, museology predominantly approaches museum research from a traditional scientific viewpoint. At the same time, museum research holds a unique position in today’s knowledge economy not only by crossing the inherently different epistemic domains of culture and science, but also for the distinct museums-specific qualities it holds. This study illustrates museological approaches to museum research since its disciplinary reinvention in the early 90’s. It seeks to understand why research has been left behind in museology’s theory of museums, and points to useful models in other research fields as a means to escape the neglect.