Conservation Examination and Treatment Report

Description of Assessment Task and Purpose:

Documentation

For this assessment you are required to complete an Examination and Treatment Report using the guideline Documentation/Examination and Treatment Report (see in Blackboard, Conservation Subject Site: Academic Guidance) to record the steps of the conservation process for one object worked on during this module.

Report writing should follow the guidance regarding the significance, standards and methods used for producing conservation reports received at undergraduate level.

The report will reflect your performance in the lab, document your work, task management and show your understanding of what you have learnt. The report is to concern one of the objects that you have treated. You can choose which one but it would be wise to pick the most interesting, and it should be finished! If, for any reason, it is not finished, your report must show why this is so, and what is required to complete the treatment.

The evaluation of the process and your personal learning experience is a particularly important part of the report.

Here you should discuss any specific analytical techniques, treatment methods and materials experienced. Discuss the successes as well as any setbacks and how you have overcome challenges of this project.

Another important part of the report is a comparison of the time estimated for the entire process when planning the treatment against the time actually used. This should be recorded in hours rather than days. Establish if there is a difference and discuss the reasons in the evaluation and comment on what you have learned from this.

Finally you are required to submit laboratory record cards for all objects you have worked on following the sections of the guideline Documentation/Lab Record Sheets (see in Blackboard, Conservation Subject Site: Academic Guidance). Lab record sheets provide a condensed version of the information in your treatment report and are significant for the owner of the object as a record of the condition before treatment and also of analyses, materials and treatment processes applied, and need to include recommendations for handling, storage and display of the object.

Examples of completed documentations can be viewed at Blackboard, Conservation Subject Site,  Academic Guidance: Help with writing conservation documentation

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

  LO1 Critically evaluate conservation options for a range of cultural heritage materials and formulate a comprehensive conservation treatment plan.   

  LO2 Demonstrate a critical and confident knowledge in investigation, examination and testing as related to conservation of artefacts.   

  LO3 Critically engage with a variety of documentation and recording techniques as related to the assessment of historic objects' condition.   

  LO4 Demonstrate advanced practical conservation skills.   

  LO5 Communicate and evaluate their work in standard professional report format.   

  LO6 Assume considerable personal responsibility for managing their own work, demonstrating an understanding of materials, processes, ethical codes and aesthetic awareness with respect to decision-making.

Knowledge & Skills Assessed:

Subject Specific Knowledge and Understanding:

Engage critically with materials science, processes of deterioration, and historic technologies as related to the conservation of cultural heritage.

Explore aspects of material culture theory, conservation ethics and aesthetics relevant to the contextualisation and significance of cultural heritage material.

Demonstrate advanced conceptual and practical skills in investigation, analysis and testing applicable to conservation and conservation science.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of professional standards and practice guidelines.

Subject specific intellectual skills

Critical evaluation and assessment of the physical nature, the technology and condition of historic objects that will enable informed decision-making.

Plan and execute a treatment programme for a range of cultural heritage materials, demonstrating an advanced level of practical expertise, and evaluate work produced.

Produce documentation reports associated with the practice of conservation to a high standard following established guidelines and practices.

Transferable Skills and Attributes

Demonstrate competency in problem-solving in complex and open-ended situations through continuing development of self-awareness and effective time-management.

Demonstrate ability in independent learning required for continuing professional development.