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 paper, Kathryn Hill discusses the two-year, three-part research effort that informed the opening of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum marketing plan. Hill also examines the mistakes they made when they ignored data as well as what visitor services professionals need from colleagues in visitor studies.
In this paper, Ellen Stokes shares experiences at the St. Louis Zoo related to how guest services can influence the visitor studies agenda. Stokes discusses three issues: Part of the guest services director's job is to be an advocate for appropriate and appealing visitor services, the guest services perspective must view the institution as a whole (as contrasted with looking at one exhibit at a time), and this holistic approach to the institution can perhaps guide visitor studies into new directions.
In this introduction, Jeff Hayward of People, Places & Design Research discusses three papers that follow in this issue of "Visitor Studies." The articles discuss the emerging field of visitor studies and why there should be a much closer relationship between visitor studies and visitor services, for mutual benefit.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Jeff Hayward
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
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.
In this article, Arlene Benefield interviews Marilyn (Molly) Hood, Ph.D., director of Hood Associates. This interview provides the insights of a distinguished audience researcher whose work has helped to awaken the leisure world to aspects of the visiting, and non-visiting, publics of museums and other cultural institutions.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Visitor Studies AssociationArlene Benefield