This evaluation study examined Field Museum visitors' understandings of the research science that goes on behind-the-scenes. We conducted over 125 depth interviews with visitors, members, and museum staff, for a total of approximately 50 contact hours with respondents from May - September, 1995
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Deborah L. Perry, Ph.D.Emily ForlandThe Field Museum
In this paper, Donna Morganstern of Metropolitan State College of Denver discusses findings from two studies at Old Tucson, an old west theme park near Tucson, Arizona and one study at Plimoth Plantation, a recreated 1621 Pilgrim Village, Wampanoag homesite, and Mayflower replica in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Morganstern's research support hypotheses that themed environments influence visitors' conceptions of the past and attitudes toward the future, and that visitors perceive the past as a function of their own expectations and beliefs.
In this paper, Marilyn G. Hood of Hood Associates discusses the benefits of community studies, rather than just visitor research. Hood examines how conducting community studies enables museums to learn new, often surprising facts about their area population as well as identify future or unsuspected audiences.
In this paper, Ruth S. Britt discusses front-end evaluation findings of the "In the Dark: Worlds without Light" traveling exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History. The exhibit aimed to show that humans are not well-adapted to the dark, and that this gives rise to discomfort, fear, avoidance, and lack of knowledge; to take some of the mystery out of dark environments by showing and talking about creatures of darkness, their adaptations to dark environments, and the processes which make life possible in unlighted worlds; and to show how dark environments are tied to the whole of life
In this paper, Pedro J.E. Casaleiro of the University of Leicester, Department of Museum Studies, discusses research that considers the investigation of evidence in mass media other than museums to help define a communications policy that bears the visitor in mind. In doing so, Casaleiro aims to broaden understanding about audiences' concerns with science, recognizing the presence of shared symbolic values created by both museums and traditional mass media. Casaleiro cites findings from studies of Portuguese newspapers and a natural history museum to support his claims.
This paper describes findings from a study intended to improve the Confrontation Gallery at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. This remedial evaluation involved placing written text on the plexiglass photo panels that corresponded to the audi-recorded statements. Text placement was completed in two phases to asses the possibility that having written text on all panels would create competition for attention and result in less attention.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Stephen BitgoodAnn CleghornAmy CotaMelody CrawfordDonald PattersonChris Danemeyer
In this paper, Lisa McIntosh discusses how quick-change info boards are used by staff and visitors at the Vancouver Aquarium. McIntosh also provides an overview of the Aquarium's unique interpretive approach.
In this paper, Kathy McPherson outlines the process that was undertaken to evaluate the visitor services program at the Ontario Provincial Parks. The project included five steps: establishing criteria for ranking parks; developing three new levels of service for the delivery of the interpretive program; evaluating the name "visitor services," establishing operating standards for the program; and developing a visitor needs survey.
In this paper, researchers from Science Learning, Inc. discuss findings from an evaluation study that used interpretive carts to analyze visitor conversations. Researchers collected data using the "Rock Talk" cart to inform the redesign of the Geology, Gems & Minerals Hall at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
In this paper, David M. Simmons discusses how the ongoing, extensive research program at Old Sturbridge Village supports its exhibits and public presentations. In particular, Simmons describes research efforts that analyze how modern audiences interact and respond to this 19th century museum village.
In this article, Susan Fisher of the Harn Museum of Art and John J. Koran, Jr. of the Florida Museum of Natural History discuss their study designed to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting evaluations at archeological sites. Specifically, the researchers conducted a summative evaluation of epistemic curiosity and knowledge of Spanish speaking and non-Spanish speaking visitors to the Maya site of Uxmal in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
In this article, Jacksonville State University's Stephen Bitgood discusses and questions the commonly-held belief that visitors turn right when entering museum galleries. Based on his research, Bitgood offers a hierarchy of forces that influence visitor turning at choice points.