2. INTRODUCTION TO METHODOLOGY

2.1 OBJECTIVE

IMS conducted most of the survey itself, in consultation with various individuals and groups in the museum community. We performed statistical analysis of the survey, as described in this report.

2.2 DEFINITIONS

2.2.1 Museum

"Museum" is defined as a nonprofit institution that is not part of the U.S. Government, and which is organized on a permanent basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes, and that owns or uses tangible objects, either animate or inanimate; cares for these objects; and exhibits them to the general public on a regular basis.

This definition is generally the same as that used to determine eligibility for IMS programs, except that the eligibility requirements that a museum be open at least 120 days per year, employ a professional staff equal to at least one full-time worker, and have been open for two years, are not included in the definition of museum for this survey.

2.2.2 Small Museum

"Small Museum" is defined as a museum that has five or fewer full-time paid or unpaid staff, or that has an annual operating budget under $250,000.

2.2.3 Emerging Museum

"Emerging Museum" is defined as a museum that has done one or more of the following within the past two years:

• opened to the public for the first time
• formed a Board of Trustees or other governing authority
• developed bylaws, constitution, or charter
• developed a statement of purpose
• received 501(c)(3) status from the IRS
• developed its first long range plan
• started to raise operating funds
• started to raise capital funds
• established an endowment fund
• fundamentally revised its purpose
• appointed its first staff member
• appointed its first staff member whose job is curatorial or educational duties only.

2.2.4 Minority Museum

"Minority Museum" is defined as a museum, the majority of whose staff and governing body belong to one or more of the following groups: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, Black, or Hispanic; and for which at least one of the following is true:

• the majority of its visitors or participants in its programs belong to one or more of the groups named above; or
• its main purpose is to serve, or interpret the culture of, one or more of the groups named above.

2.2.5 Rural Museum

"Rural Museum" is defined as a museum that describes its location as a rural area.

2.3 INSTRUMENT