What is peer review?

Peer review is a collegial process of evaluation that is practiced by many professions as a means of quality control and certification. Peer review is premised on the idea that the professionals who develop and follow standards of excellence in their own everyday work are the best ones to evaluate the work of their colleagues. Within the museum field, peer review is used for evaluating grants, critiquing exhibits, and as part of the Museum Assessment and Accreditation programs of AAM.

Who are the MAP peer reviewers?

Peer reviewers who work with the Museum Assessment Program are called Surveyors. Over 800 museum professionals work on behalf of AAM as Surveyors. They represent museums of all disciplines and governance types. While their backgrounds are varied, they all must demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and experience to be accepted into the roster. They hold professional-level positions at museums, participating in day-to-day operations of their institution, and volunteer their time as surveyors in the field. In addition, they have worked in the museum field in a professional capacity long enough to develop an understanding of museum operations, generally at least 5 years.

How is my Surveyor chosen?

The MAP staff maintain information about each Surveyor's professional expertise and interests. The staff select potential Surveyors based on information in your application, including your main objectives, greatest concerns, and requested areas of expertise as well as your institution's size, discipline, and governance type.

The staff forward to you the names and biographical information for 10 possible surveyors. The list will include individuals with a wide array of experience and knowledge. Experience has shown that the best visits often occur when a Surveyor shares a common understanding of basic issues but from a different perspective such as a different region of the country, slightly different size or institutional focus. These Surveyors can bring suggestions and recommendations to your museum that are fresh and provide that all-important outside perspective that is the hallmark of the MAP process.

You can eliminate individuals from the list that you feel will not meet your needs, and rank those you want to leave on the list. The MAP staff will call the remaining individuals in the order of your indicated preference to identify a Surveyor who is available for the site visit.

Can I be a peer reviewer?

Peer review is a professional development opportunity that many museum professionals value. Peer review benefits the profession by:

• Encouraging broad, active participation in the development of standards of excellence
• Increasing knowledge among peer reviewers about evolving standards

Peer review also requires a significant amount of time and energy and a commitment to the high expectations of the Museum Assessment Program and/or the Accreditation Program. If you're interested in becoming a peer reviewer:

1. Carefully review the Peer Reviewer Qualifications for Service and the position descriptions for peer reviewers in each program
2. Decide for which program you are best qualified and suited
3. Fill out the application and profile and submit them to Allison Elder, Peer Reviewer Manager.