In this paper, museum consultant Deborah L. Perry discusses her findings from a research study investigating the museum experience, which identified and described the three important components of a successful museum exhibit. Perry outlines the role of participation, psychological needs, and outcomes (visitor learning) as they influence a museum visit.
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Deborah PerryVisitor Studies Association
In this paper, the Museum of New Mexico's Thomas J. Caperton discusses how public programs often threaten preservation efforts at historic sties. Caperton suggests that alternative methods of interpretation can be accomplished in a museum setting through experimental archaeology and other programming.
In this paper, Charles A. Lewis, retired from the Morton Arboretum, discusses why and how visitors interact with botanical gardens and arboreta, places that provide natural ambiance as well as learning opportunities. Lewis argues that these types of "green museums" must recognize the psychological and physiological aspects of their landscapes that provide broader experiences for visitors.
In this paper, Robert M. Woltman of the Albuquerque Museum discusses the vocabulary of exhibit design. Woltman provides examples of how this vocabulary has been used at his institution to impart a sense of place.
In this paper, Glen Kaye of the National Park Service, Southwest Region, discusses advice on planning, researching, writing, designing and installing effective labels.
In this paper, Professor of Psychology at Suffolk University, Robert C. Webb, discusses the parallels between visitor studies and consumer psychology. Webb analyses the relevance of consumer literature as it relates to exhibit planning.
In this paper, Donna Morganstern of Metropolitan State College of Denver discusses findings from two studies at Old Tucson, an old west theme park near Tucson, Arizona and one study at Plimoth Plantation, a recreated 1621 Pilgrim Village, Wampanoag homesite, and Mayflower replica in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Morganstern's research support hypotheses that themed environments influence visitors' conceptions of the past and attitudes toward the future, and that visitors perceive the past as a function of their own expectations and beliefs.
In this paper, Marilyn G. Hood of Hood Associates discusses the benefits of community studies, rather than just visitor research. Hood examines how conducting community studies enables museums to learn new, often surprising facts about their area population as well as identify future or unsuspected audiences.
In this paper, Ruth S. Britt discusses front-end evaluation findings of the "In the Dark: Worlds without Light" traveling exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History. The exhibit aimed to show that humans are not well-adapted to the dark, and that this gives rise to discomfort, fear, avoidance, and lack of knowledge; to take some of the mystery out of dark environments by showing and talking about creatures of darkness, their adaptations to dark environments, and the processes which make life possible in unlighted worlds; and to show how dark environments are tied to the whole of life
In this paper, Pedro J.E. Casaleiro of the University of Leicester, Department of Museum Studies, discusses research that considers the investigation of evidence in mass media other than museums to help define a communications policy that bears the visitor in mind. In doing so, Casaleiro aims to broaden understanding about audiences' concerns with science, recognizing the presence of shared symbolic values created by both museums and traditional mass media. Casaleiro cites findings from studies of Portuguese newspapers and a natural history museum to support his claims.
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.