The natural sciences include many diverse specialities each with their own demands. There is as much difference between fine art and archaeology as there is between botany and mineralogy. Institutions range from those with specialist staff with expertise in natural sciences to those no professional staff. Some museums have large and important collections, others have small collections of only local significance. Some collections are static, whilst other are actively growing.
Many institutions have large documentation backlogs, and there are reputed to be some with none.
Parameters for action With all this variety it is difficult to generalise and say that a particular approach is right for all natural science collections. What is more meaningful is to develop ways of working that take into consideration both the particular features of natural sciences that I have already described and the circumstances of individual institutions. Both approaches, and any others in between, are valid but are dependent on the institution determining sensible and realistic policies. The natural sciences are different. Certain principles apply to them and their treatment, and they incorporate a wide range of specialities, each with particular requirements.