In this paper, researchers at Monterey Bay Aquarium share findings from a study of self-guided school groups. This report focuses the meaning of "running amok" as it applies to these self-guided school groups and questions general assumptions about self-guided school groups.
This paper describes findings from a study intended to improve the Confrontation Gallery at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. This remedial evaluation involved placing written text on the plexiglass photo panels that corresponded to the audi-recorded statements. Text placement was completed in two phases to asses the possibility that having written text on all panels would create competition for attention and result in less attention.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Stephen BitgoodAnn CleghornAmy CotaMelody CrawfordDonald PattersonChris Danemeyer
In this paper, Lisa McIntosh discusses how quick-change info boards are used by staff and visitors at the Vancouver Aquarium. McIntosh also provides an overview of the Aquarium's unique interpretive approach.
In this paper, Kathy McPherson outlines the process that was undertaken to evaluate the visitor services program at the Ontario Provincial Parks. The project included five steps: establishing criteria for ranking parks; developing three new levels of service for the delivery of the interpretive program; evaluating the name "visitor services," establishing operating standards for the program; and developing a visitor needs survey.
In this paper, researchers from Science Learning, Inc. discuss findings from an evaluation study that used interpretive carts to analyze visitor conversations. Researchers collected data using the "Rock Talk" cart to inform the redesign of the Geology, Gems & Minerals Hall at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
In this paper, David M. Simmons discusses how the ongoing, extensive research program at Old Sturbridge Village supports its exhibits and public presentations. In particular, Simmons describes research efforts that analyze how modern audiences interact and respond to this 19th century museum village.
In this paper, Kathryn Hill discusses the two-year, three-part research effort that informed the opening of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum marketing plan. Hill also examines the mistakes they made when they ignored data as well as what visitor services professionals need from colleagues in visitor studies.
In this paper, Ellen Stokes shares experiences at the St. Louis Zoo related to how guest services can influence the visitor studies agenda. Stokes discusses three issues: Part of the guest services director's job is to be an advocate for appropriate and appealing visitor services, the guest services perspective must view the institution as a whole (as contrasted with looking at one exhibit at a time), and this holistic approach to the institution can perhaps guide visitor studies into new directions.
In this introduction, Jeff Hayward of People, Places & Design Research discusses three papers that follow in this issue of "Visitor Studies." The articles discuss the emerging field of visitor studies and why there should be a much closer relationship between visitor studies and visitor services, for mutual benefit.
In this paper, Margie Marino of the Denver Museum of Natural History discusses the value of museum maps and how her institution used evaluation to improve the design of a new hand-held map.
This paper describes the process researchers and staff used to improve wayfinding at the Minnesota History Center. The authors discuss findings from this research as well as general recommendations for helping visitors find their way around and make choices.
In this paper, Kersti Krug of the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver explores how hypertext can contribute to postmodern issues of visitor research. Krug argues that hypertext has potential to present new ways of "seeing and influencing change by enhancing access to knowledge about visitors."