In this paper, John K. Haeseler of Economics Research Associates discusses how the total length of time a visitor spends at a cultural attraction such as a museum or zoo can be used to measure the holding power of the attraction. Haeseler describes methods which can be used to measure average visitor length of stay, provides examples of findings from various research investigations and discusses several considerations likely to affect length of stay.
In this paper, R.S. Miles reviews three evaluation studies of audivisuals carried out by researchers at The Natural History Museum, London between 1979 and 1987. Miles' review can inform the design of effective audiovisuals, which are expensive to produce, difficult to mock-up and test during development, and expensive to modify once produced.
This paper discusses research on visitor behavior in museums, specific visitor interest, attention and learning. It presents findings from a study conducted by researchers at the University of Florida, which evaluated 47 undergraduates' viewing patterns and learning at 11 static case exhibits at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
John J. Koran, Jr.John Scott FosterMary Lou Koran
This paper discusses the evolution of zoo exhibits from cages to naturalistic enclosures and the research of these exhibits. It focuses on an evaluation of the Gorillas of Cameroon exhibit located in the Ford African Rain Forest of Zoo Atlanta. This paper presents findings from the study that mainly focus on the visitor responses to the exhibit.
In this paper, Jeff Bonner of the St. Louis Science Center discusses the merits of formal versus naturalistic evaluation within the museum context. Bonner also presents the approach and findings of a two-part study designed to compare the results of these two evaluation approaches. They compared the the results of a formal analysis of the holding power, ease of use, readability of text, and overall enjoyability of nine exhibits with a naturalistic study focused on how one volunteer, two part-time employees and a staff supervisor viewed the same exhibits.
This paper discusses two important initiatives at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). The first was an experiment that tested the impact of interpretive devices on visitors to an installation of contemporary art. The second was a major collaborative project in which educators and curators joined forces and reinstalled a part of the AGO's permanent collection using innovative design and interpretive strategies. In both instances, audience research constituted an important part of the initiative and has flagged important issues that may have a significant impact on exhibit development at the AGO.
This paper the development and success of an ambitious plan launched by the Philadelphia Zoo in late 1970's and early 1980s to streamline operating procedures, repair and replace buildings and exhibits, and evaluate and upgrade visitor services. A key part of this service strategy was a visitor survey, which aimed to identify weaknesses and provide regular feedback for operating staff and management. A copy of this questionnaire is included in this paper.
This paper discusses four years of visitor evaluation the Anniston Museum of Natural History. It includes an overview of the evaluation program including the collaboration between the museum and the Psychology Institute at Jacksonville State University, varying views of evaluation design, and recent research projects and findings.
This paper discusses the methodologies, key findings, and implications of a research project that examined the effectiveness of exhibits for making children understand scientific concepts. The two-part study was conducted at Nehru Science Centre (Bombay, India).
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Vijay JavlekarVisitor Studies Association
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, Minda Borun of the Franklin Institute discusses the publics' naive notions of science and how museums provide the opportune place to study the pre-existing misconceptions of visitors of all ages. Borun reveals findings from the Franklin Institute's 18-month study to discover visitors' naive notions about gravity and air pressure and to develop exhibits which help restructure these concepts. The project is intended to establish a new model for the design of effective science museum exhibits.
In this paper, Douglas Hoy of the National Museum of Natural Sciences the impact of new admission fee guidelines from a comprehensive study commissioned by the Canadian government. Hoy presents an overview of the new fees program enacted in June 1988 and its influence on museum attendance throughout Canada.