A SZÜKSÉGES ALAP: PONTOSSÁG, HITELESSÉG ÉS MEGBÍZHATÓSÁG - TUDOMÁNYOS KUTATÁSOK MÚZEUMOKBAN
THE ESSENTIAL FOUNDATION: ACCURACY, AUTHENTICITY, AND RELIABILITY – SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN MUSEUMS

Summary/Abstract: The new museum definition adopted by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in Prague in 2022 reaffirms the role of museums as centres of research by emphasizing their responsibility to investigate tangible and intangible heritage while operating ethically and professionally, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity, fostering diversity and sustainability, and providing varied experiences for education, enjoyment, critical reflection, and the sharing of knowledge. Museum research encompasses two principal forms: basic research and applied research, both of which permeate every area of museum practice. Collection-based research constitutes a core museum function and provides the foundation for all forms of knowledge dissemination undertaken by museums. Curatorial research, aligned with the museum's mission and strategic objectives, should occupy a central position within institutional practice. Rather than functioning in isolation, it should be closely integrated with the museum's public engagement activities and articulated as an essential component of its long-term institutional development. The term museum research serves as an umbrella concept encompassing the full spectrum of scholarly and research activities conducted within and through museums. These range from collection-based research to studies in museum education, museum well-being, and visitor research, including both individual and collaborative projects carried out with internal and external partners, volunteers, and community members through participatory approaches. Such research may take place within the museum, beyond its physical boundaries, or in virtual environments. A defining characteristic shared by these diverse forms of museum research is their reliance on rigorous disciplinary methodologies. This article examines the principles and developments concerning research reflected in ICOM's revised museum definition and in the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums, with particular attention to their implications for contemporary museum research and professional practice.

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