In this paper, researcher Adrian F. Aveni of Jacksonville State University presents a variety of concepts, models and theories of sociology potentially relevant to the field of visitor studies. Aveni also warns of the dangers from the misuse of procedures, misinterpretations of results, poorly framed questions or problems, and faulty assumptions and goals.
In this paper, Florence Bramley of the Graphics Group presents a few "almost-true" stories about how zoos (or museums) design signage for exhibits. Bramley emphasizes the importance of having a strategy for signage design, evaluation, and execution.
In this paper, Howard Litwak, principal at Joseph A. Wetzel Associates, discusses the value of evaluation in exhibit design. Litwak identifies several issues fundamental to exhibit development that would benefit from the analysis and establishment of standardized guidelines. Litwak presents these areas in hopes that researchers will accept the challenge of establishing more standards for exhibit development.
In this paper, consultant Rosalyn Rubenstein discusses "the applicability gap"--the term Ross Loomis coined to describe the failure to get into practice ideas that are generated from research and development. Rubenstein examines some of the causes of the applicability gap and some bridges for overcoming it.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Roslyn RubensteinVisitor Studies Association
In response to Marilyn Hood's article "The Use, Misuse, And Abuse Of Consultants, I: The View Of An Audience Researcher" found in the same issue, consultant Harris Shettel discusses the challenges of the consultant-museum staff relationship from the perspective of an evaluator. Shettel describes instances of misuse and abuse of consultant evaluators.
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Visitor Studies AssociationHarris Shettel
In this article, audience researcher Marilyn G. Hood offers precautions and identifies potential trouble spots to help consultants and researchers work together effectively in a partnership. Hood presents eight topics that are the bases for most difficulties arising in the relationship between consultant and museum staff and/or trustees. In addition, Hood outlines nine ways audience researchers may experience additional difficulties peculiar to this field.
This paper focuses on three major issues impeding evaluation at museums: 1) the lack of understanding about evaluation and its uses in museum settings; 2) tight budgets; and 3) staff issues. The authors explain how the Memphis Museum System has addressed each issue and offer suggestions for generic solutions for each issue, which can be used by others.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Tara KnottDouglas Noble
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this article, Stephen Bitgood, of Jacksonville State University, summarizes some of the professional issues related to visitor studies. Bitgood also argues in favor of professionalism in visitor studies and presents the advantages in having "visitor studies" identified as a professional field.
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 is a brief summary of an article by Michael Alt and Steven Griggs (1988) featured in "Curator." The authors review the processes of perception, short and long term memory, discuss "external myths" and "conceptual myths," and the value of "thinking aloud" as formative evaluation.
This is a summary of a publication by Michael Alt and Steven Griggs (1989), distributed by the Royal Ontario Museum, which provides a helpful model for others--both in terms of encouraging exhibit evaluation and in terms of how it might be accomplished. The publication summarizes four studies completed at the Royal Ontario Museum used to assess the "Mankind Discovering" exhibition from different perspectives: staff evaluation, visitor reaction, observational study of visitors, and visitor understanding and reaction to individual sections.
This is a brief summary of Barbara Birney's 1988 article featured in "Environment and Behavior," which discussed key findings from the formative evaluation of Brookfield Zoo's "Flying Walk" exhibit. The exhibit was designed to teach visitors the proper wing movement of birds.