This paper presents research methodology and findings of a formative evaluation of floor maps in the new ancient Near East galleries at the Royal Ontario Museum. The evaluation aimed to determine effectiveness of these signs as well as the most suitable placement, quantity, and type of sign used to orient visitors.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Christine LockettDanielle Boyer-TarloJanet Emonson
In this paper, Conny Graft presents a brief overview of the interpretive planning process used on larger projects at Colonial Williamsburg as well as lessons learned from one specific program. Graft provides insight into the challenges of planning interpretations and evaluating live interpretive programs.
This paper provides an overview of the Audience Research Consortium of Toronto, comprised of the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Science Center and the Royal Ontario Museum. These groups have a shared vision of attracting a larger and more diverse audience-one that includes nontraditional and multicultural groups. This paper outlines how this group developed, acquired funding, hired a consulting group, and created a proposal and research plan. Preliminary findings are also briefly summarized.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Art Gallery of OntarioRoyal Ontario MuseumOntario Science CentreMetropolitan Toronto ZooWoods Gordon Management Consultants
In this article, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee researcher Don Thompson shares methods and findings from a front-end evaluation of the Plains Indian Exhibit Area at the Milwaukee Public Museum, which was used to inform exhibit renovation plans. Thompson assessed visitor knowledge of key concepts, the role of existing exhibits in fostering knowledge of these concepts, and unforeseen successes or shortcomings of the exhibits.
This article summarizes methods and key findings of a study conducted as part of the planning for a proposed museum on The Southeastern Native Americans. Researchers assessed visitor interest in Native American exhibitions, the general public's knowledge, interests, and misconceptions about Native Americans, and potential audiences for the museum.
In this article, Jacksonville State University's Stephen Bitgood and William Ford presents findings from a study that assessed the impact of various names on how a specific type of facility is perceived. Researchers investigated respondents' expectations associated with new names for a facility under the administration of the North Carolina Historic Site.
Audience research inspired this interpretive case study in which the evaluator compared planning for the visitor experience and visitor response to the developed environment in a living history site setting. During 1987-1988, the evaluator spent several months observing and interviewing museum workers and visitors, in situ, at The Gibson House, which is operated by the City of Toronto Historic Museums and Art Centres. The case study included a variety of data triangulation techniques to interpret the visitor experience from multiple perspectives (e.g., Soren, 1990-2000). The Gibson House
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Barbara SorenCity of Toronto Historic Museums and Art Centres
resourceprojectProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
This exploratory study is designed to determine attributes of large urban school districts which would maximize the probability of success for implementing and sustaining major educational reforms. The study will include personal interviews with key change agents in a number of such school districts where changes have been attempted and will identify attributes which lead to failure as well as those which lead to success. The project will culminate with a draft document of an "Urban School District Systemic Reform Initiative in Science and Mathematics" which incorporates findings, in NSF solicitation format.