This article summarizes methodology and key findings from research to determine the effectiveness of several aspects of the Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve on Lake Erie visitor center for providing public information about the value of estuaries. Researchers investigated how knowledge and attitudes of adults change with each visit, the factors that contribute to differing visitor experiences, how types of exhibits, readability, and placement relate to knowledge changes, and if a computer can serve as a testing device in a visitor center.
In this article, Randi Korn discusses methods and key findings from a study that evaluated the Japanese Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The study evaluated which exhibit objects attracted visitor interest and the effectiveness of the interpretive materials. Visitor input was used in designing the interpretive materials.
In this article, researchers at Jacksonville State University compare three approaches to control littering: environmental education, environmental design, and consequence control. The authors also briefly suggest ways museum/zoo professionals can combine these techniques to control litter.
In this article, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee researchers Dawn D' Amico and Wendy Pokorny discuss findings from their study that investigated the impact of a museum visit on preconceived notions of scientific explanation. D' Amico and Pokorny found that visitors' preconceptions were unlikely to change as a result of viewing exhibits.
In this article, Richard Schulhof of The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University discusses findings from a study at the North Carolina Botanical Garden that assessed to what extent visitors appreciate and explore the native habitat exhibit environment, and, more importantly, identify the factors influencing their response to it. This study utilized exit interviews, unobtrusive observation of visitors and visitor-employed photography to analyze visitor response.
In this article, Ohio State University's Gary W. Mullins, Ph.D. discusses the importance of interpretation, a process of non-formal environmental education and visitor communication services in leisure settings, in understanding visitor behavior. Mullins cites several recent studies in this area and key findings related to better understanding the interpretive clientele.
In this article, Steven D. Moore, Ph.D. discusses the history of wilderness recreation research, based on carrying capacities and crowd expectations, and more recent approaches which rely on normative theories of human behavior. Moore discusses other research efforts to better understand the dimensions of wilderness recreation behavior and experiences.
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Steven D. Moore, Ph.D.Visitor Studies Association
In this article, Thomas A. More of the U.S. Forest Service presents a review and discussion of current research on the benefits of urban parks. More also discusses the issues of fairness in the distribution of these benefits (i.e. the less affluent receive fewer services and servies of lesser quality).
In this article, Ohio State University's John L. Heywood discusses the study of outdoor recreation and the challenges of the emerging field. Heywood also describes some of the factors and conditions that influence behavior in outdoor recreation.
In this article, Jacksonville State University's Valerie Cox summarizes a 1991 paper in "Visitor Studies: Theory, Research & Practice," written by C. Vance and D. Schroeder. Cox summates findings from the researchers' investigation of linking visitor learning styles (based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) with exhibit types. The subjects of this study were visitors to the "Rain Forest: Exploring Life on Earth" exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum.
In this article, Lynne M. Westphal of the USDA Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station, outlines discussions exploring the interactions between plant communities and people communities at a November 1992 symposium. The symposium aimed to assess current knowledge about the active involvement of people with plants and to clarify research needs that will lead to improved program management and information delivery.
In this article, Herbter W. Schroeder, of the USDA Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station, discusses a research study conducted at the Morton Arboretum (MA), which examined landscape preferences and meanings for a group of MA users. Schroeder interprets the findings of this study and makes recommendations for MA management and exhibit developers based on this research.