Collection

A collection is a group of objects, works, or data gathered together for study, display, or preservation. It is typically organized to reflect a common theme, source, or purpose, and assumes some degree of intentional or curatorial selection.

Physical collections include art, stamps, coins, natural history specimens, and archives. Museums and libraries manage such collections to conserve objects, provide access to researchers, and interpret heritage through cataloging, provenance records, and protective storage.

Digital collections consist of datasets, multimedia files, or digital reproductions organized for efficient retrieval. They rely on metadata and collection management systems to support search, rights management, and long-term preservation.

In research, data collection is the systematic gathering of information to answer hypotheses or inform decisions. Methods include surveys, experiments, observations, and archival research, with attention to ethics, consent, and bias.

In programming, a collection is a data structure that stores multiple values, such as lists, sets, or maps. Common operations include adding, removing, iterating, and querying elements.

Ethical and legal considerations accompany collecting, including provenance, repatriation of culturally sensitive items, and policies on deaccessioning and access.