All sampling methodologies have, as their Grand Theory, the
normal distribution . . . the famous "bell curve." Thus, it
usually won't matter from whose special interest a book on
sampling has been written. Indeed, much of the statistics work
used by social scientists today was developed by an agronomist
named Snedecor. In your particular situation you might find
that a book on quality control presents things in such a way as
to need the least adaptation.
Henry Grunder
Conservation/Preservation Coordinator
The Library of Virginia
According to R.A.Reynolds:
>
> I am writing on behalf of a colleague - Alison Walster.
>
> Sheffield City Museum is about to undertake a Condition Report of its
> Archaeological, Ethnographic and Numismatic collections. There are
> about half a million objects in these collections.  The findings
> of this Conservation Audit will inform a new Conservation Policy for
> the museum. Can anyone recommend a sampling method as it will be
> impossible to check all the objects? Articles by Suzanne Keene have
> been helpful but comments or anecdotes from the list about experiences
> of condition checking and sampling would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Can anyone suggest a useful source for guidelines on writing
> conservation policies?
>
> Many thanks in advance.
>
> Rachel Reynolds
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Please reply to the list and I can pass messages on or to my
> colleague directly:
>
> Alison Walster,
> Archaeological Conservator,
> Sheffield City Museum,
> Weston Park,
> Sheffield,
> S10 2TP
> Tel: 0114 2768588
>