In this paper, we present the results of a literature survey concerning the methodology and criteria used for the evaluation of paper conservation interventions. Important issues that are reviewed include: Accelerated ageing: theoretical principles, most common methods, standards and conditions (temperature and relative humidity). Experimental setup: sample selection and preparation, planning of the experiments. Methods for the evaluation of paper properties: established methods already in use, various methods that have been sparingly used and methods that have never been used but have the potential to evolve and apply to specific problems of the evaluation. Criteria of effectiveness of the intervention. A selection of the most important relevant publications of the last 30 years and the methods yielded by the survey are presented in table format. Copyright © Saur 2006.