In this paper, evaluator Randi Korn of Randi Korn and Associates discusses the variety of experiences, in addition to learning, that museum visitors encounter during a visit that must be considered and integrated during the exhibit development process. Korn presents the work of a few scholars and researchers, who have written about and understand the visitor experience, to explore the visitor experience on other levels.
In this paper, Lisa Roberts of the Chicago Botanic Garden addresses some of the issues related to affective learning in the museum setting. She discusses two areas in particular: factors that have shaped attitudes in the museum toward affective experience; and the role affect plays in the whole learning process.
This paper outlines the front-end evaluation that researchers and staff conducted to design the Biodome de Montreal, a living museum of nature. It includes a discussion of the evaluation objectives, key findings, and applications as well as background information about the museum project itself.
This paper shares innovative evaluation techniques employed by staff at the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris to plan, design, launch, and implement its newly renovated Grande Galeries de Zoologie. Their evaluation techniques combined quantitative and qualitative research techniques.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Jacqueline EidelmanDenis SamsonBernard SchieleMichel Van Praet
This paper shares research findings that explore the link between conceptual understanding, free exploration of hands-on science center exhibits, and Piagetian cognitive developmental levels. Implications on museum exhibits and field trip experiences are examined as well.
This paper presents findings from a label study project at the Franklin Institute Science Museum, part of the Naive Knowledge Research Project, funded by NSF to identify "naive notions" about science, in particular the cause and nature of gravity, and test the power of interactive devices to alter them. The device which prompted this label study was designed to correct the misconception that spinning pulls things in and, more specifically, that the earth's rotation generates its gravitational pull.
This paper discusses the topic of visitor circulation through exhibition spaces. Specifically, this paper cites findings from a visitor tracking study through five traveling exhibits at the Anniston Museum of Natural History. Questions explored include: 1) How much influence does the spatial arrangement of objects within a gallery have on the behavior of visitors?; 2) How much do the characteristics of exhibit objects influence visitor behavior?; and 3) How effective are techniques for increasing visitation to a changing exhibit hall?
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Stephen BitgoodJoe HinesWayne HambergerWilliam Ford
In this paper, researchers from Colorado State University and the Denver Museum of Natural History discuss the topic of attitude persuasion in exhibits. First, they define the concepts attitude, belief and behavior and describe how to appropriately measure these concepts. Second, the researchers discuss how the concepts are related and also how they are related to future behaviors. Third, a technique for designing or improving an exhibit to increase the likelihood of visitor attitude change is explained. Finally, the researchers present an example from a study performed on the "Close to Home"
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Jerome V. D' AgostinoRoss J. LoomisBetsy Webb
This paper describes a complex process being undertaken by a major Canadian institution, the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature. The evaluation process is systematic, multi-faceted and demonstrates the fruitful interaction between evaluation and gallery development. The front-end phase is the focus of the paper. Discussion concentrates on the elements of the process which are unique to the Canadian experience, specifically the whole community aspect of this process (wherein input was from sources distant from the physical setting of the institution), and the mix of novel and "traditional"
In this paper, Peggy Hewson of the Canadian Parks Service, Environment Canada, discusses market and client satisfaction research and management applications. Hewson explores this topic by citing findings from Canada's Public Service 2000 project, which evaluated client satisfaction as it pertains to the federal public service.
This paper deals with two major audience research projects. One is a community perceptions study conducted by telephone with citizens of St. Louis city and county in 1990 by the Missouri Botanical Garden. The second is a year-long on-site visitor study at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. Both studies were designed, analyzed, and interpreted by Marilyn G. Hood of Hood Associates. Dr. Hood will present the settings in which these two projects were accomplished and describe how they were carried out; Ernestina Short, Community Liaison for the Missouri Botanical
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Marilyn G. HoodErnestina ShortG. Donald Adams
In this paper, Terry Cheney of T.J. Cheney Research, Inc. defines the spectrum of visitors known as a "visitor rainbow," ranging from visitors who never attend museums to visitors who visit almost daily (volunteers, patrons). Cheney explains why it is important for visitor studies researchers to acknowledge these differences amongst visitors as these groups in the spectrum are clearly different and should be studied and addressed differently. Cheney argues that any study that reports on visitors in a generalized or average form is limited and will likely be misleading.