This paper describes the use of front-end evaluation to guide the development of plans for a community museum. In 1995, the fifty-year old Fort Collins Museum received a grant to create new permanent exhibits and educational programs as well as a collection initiative for obtaining donated artifacts from community residents.
In this paper, James Jensen of Ottawa's National Museum of Science and Technology (NMSTC) discusses a case study that provides guidance on how to integrate "effective market research" into museum management and decision making. Jensen discusses how NMSTC has successfully adapted to a market driven model of operation.
In this paper, Pedro J. E. Casaleiro of the University of Leicester (UK), Department of Museum Studies, discusses methodology and findings from a comparative analysis of audiences for "The Return of the Living Dinosaurs" exhibition in four separate locations: London, Paris, Spain, and Portugal. The exhibit consisted of robotic dinosaurs (animatronic models).
This paper presents basic information about the Americans with Disabilities Act and its physical guidelines presented in the ADA Guidelines. It also lists examples of ways museums and visitor attractions can creatively provide access in integrated ways, often at little expense or difficulty.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Paul BilziRobert AlexanderJean Parker
In this paper, researchers at Universidad Autonoma de Madrid discuss their evaluation study of the Tiphlologic Museum, a special project of the National Organization for Blind people in Spain. Key study objects, methodology, and findings are defined.
In this article, Jacksonville State University researchers Steve Bitgood and Don Patterson describe principles of visitor behavior related to three aspects of exhibit design: (1) the characteristics of the exhibit object or animal, (2) the characteristics of exhibit architecture, and (3) the characteristics of the visitors.
In this article, Michael Pierce of the Anniston Museum summarizes D. Jenkins's research on interactive technologies featured in the "Proceedings of the 1985 American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums." Jenkins divides interactive exhibits into four types: comparisons, extending human senses, learning play, and conservation.
This is a brief summary of a 1982 report by Jacksonville State University researchers entitled "Research and Design at the Reid Park Zoo." This report outlines design research by describing an evaluation of the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson. The authors suggest three ways that careful design research benefits a facility and identify principles for better zoo design.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Visitor Studies AssociationJ MartinJ O'Reilly
This is a brief summary of a 1982 article in "Curator" entitled "Video vs Wall-Panel Display: An Experiment in Museum Learning," which discusses key findings from a survey of visitors who viewed a special painting exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. Information about an artist and his work was alternately provided for visitors by color wall panels, a video display, a combination of the two, or the information was not provided at all.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Visitor Studies AssociationJ. LandayR Bridge
This is a brief summary of Randall Washburne and J. Alan Wagar's 1972 article, "Evaluating Visitor Behavior to Exhibit Content." Washburne and Wagar studied visitor preference for types of exhibit presentations in visitor centers. Key findings include visitors' preferences related to three categories: stimulus, subjects, and strategies for communication.
This is a brief summary of a 1986 article by researchers at Florida State University, who studied if hands-on exhibits attract more visitors and hold visitors' attention longer, and whether a specific age group or sex is more attracted to these type of exhibits.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Visitor Studies AssociationJ.J. KoranM.L. KoranS.J. Longino
This is a brief summary of a 1983 article by Hayward and Larkin featured in the "Museum Studies Journal." The article discussed a study conducted by the researchers, to compare pretest vs. post-test visitor perceptions of a renovated historical house in Old Sturbridge Village, an outdoor history museum in Massachusetts.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Visitor Studies AssociationD.G. HaywardJ.W. Larkin