In this paper, researchers at the University of Queensland discuss findings from investigations on conservation learning at two Queensland ecotourism sites—a three hour whale watching cruise operating from the Gold Coast and turtle viewing at Mon Repos Turtle Rookery, Bargara. The researchers present a set of five challenges they faced in this research, as a warning to all who might dare to attempt similar studies. Their experience has demonstrated that the famous adage of show business, “Never work with children or animals” can indeed apply in wildlife tourism research.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Karen HughesRoy BallantyneJan Packer
This paper presents results from the testing of a simple visitor survey tool modeled on traditional semantic differential techniques to identify socially agreed traits or attributes that might influence audience bias toward an exhibit species. The authors from the Wildlife Conservation Society Institute suggest that understanding these connotative meanings can aid exhibit developers in the creation of experiences. Five tests were conducted with this methodology, each focused on a different animal (dolphins, sharks, cheetahs, zebras, and African wild dogs). With four of the subject animals, a
In this article, D. Neil Bramer, executive director of the Elmhurst Art Museum, discusses the value of visitor studies and the need to push museum decision-makers to address visitor needs. Bramer argues that museums need to be more empathetic to visitors.
In this article, Steven Yalowitz, doctoral candidate in Experimental Psychology at Colorado State University, discusses information processing and behavior in museums. Yalowitz explores and draws connections between the different terminology used by researchers in studying these concepts.
In this article, John W. Lightner, associate professor at Lansing Community College and doctoral student at Michigan State University, discusses motivation theory. Lightner traces changes in motivation theory from the Behaviorist Era to recent perspectives, from reward and punishment to a view of human learners as self-regulated. Lightner also relates this topic to museum practice.
In this interview, Douglas Worts, educator/evaluator at the Art Gallery of Ontario and Associate of LEAD-Canada, discusses sustainable development within the museum community in Canada as well as efforts led by LEAD-Canada (Leadership for Environmental And Development).
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Douglas Worts
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this note from the editor of "Visitor Studies Today!", Kris Morrissey introduces the issue with an update on the annual VSA conference. Morrissey also discusses two new columns in the issue: one on thoughts and experiences with the processes or products of evaluation and one on technology.
In this paper, Paulette M. McManus discusses the practice of visitor studies and evaluation, including the tradition of visitor observation, at institutions in the United Kingdom. Specifically, McManus compares evaluation practices at large museums and small- and medium-sized museums, examines the problem of student evaluation and studies as well as the impact of the National Lottery, and finally reports on audience advocacy.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Paulette M. McManusVisitor Studies Association
In this paper, C. Dufresne-Tasse of the University of Montreal discusses three characteristics of the methods French-Canadians conduct research on museum visitors in Québec. Dufresne-Tasse also offers an example of a study conducted by researchers at two Québec universities, which evaluated the psychological functioning of the adult observing objects in an exhibition room.
This paper discusses efforts at the New England Aquarium to attract multicultural audiences, with projects like the Lake Victoria exhibit. This NSF-funded, collaborative project, centered on Lake Victoria in East Africa, addresses the aquarium's lack of representation by racial minorities, specifically Boston's African-American community.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Jason J. DrebitkoGillian NelsonVisitor Studies Association
In this paper, Hermann Schafer of Haus der Geschichte, the museum of contemporary history of Germany, discusses the value of non-visitor research as a public relations strategy. Schafer shares findings from an independent study of non-visitors.
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.