This paper focuses on the group context of visitor behavior. It includes an introduction of a simple model of behavior that describes how human behavior is influenced by group memberships, which is central to thinking in sociology and compatible to thinking in psychology and anthropology. Suggestions on how this model can be applied to visitor studies are also described.
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 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, Donald D. Patterson of Jacksonville State University discusses the similarities between environmental psychology and visitor studies. Patterson presents a review of the development of the two areas and examines the philosophical similarities that unite them.
In this paper, researchers from the University of Florida discuss the cognitive movement in instruction, which has major implications for research and practice in informal settings. The authors focus on a number of promising cognitive lines of inquiry and suggest their application in informal settings.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
John J. Koran, Jr.Mary Lou KoranJohn Scott Foster
In this paper, researcher Adrian F. Aveni of Jacksonville State University presents a variety of concepts, models and theories of sociology potentially relevant to the field of visitor studies. Aveni also warns of the dangers from the misuse of procedures, misinterpretations of results, poorly framed questions or problems, and faulty assumptions and goals.
This paper discusses the topic of visitor circulation through exhibition spaces. Specifically, this paper cites findings from a visitor tracking study through five traveling exhibits at the Anniston Museum of Natural History. Questions explored include: 1) How much influence does the spatial arrangement of objects within a gallery have on the behavior of visitors?; 2) How much do the characteristics of exhibit objects influence visitor behavior?; and 3) How effective are techniques for increasing visitation to a changing exhibit hall?
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Stephen BitgoodJoe HinesWayne HambergerWilliam Ford
In this paper, researchers from Colorado State University and the Denver Museum of Natural History discuss the topic of attitude persuasion in exhibits. First, they define the concepts attitude, belief and behavior and describe how to appropriately measure these concepts. Second, the researchers discuss how the concepts are related and also how they are related to future behaviors. Third, a technique for designing or improving an exhibit to increase the likelihood of visitor attitude change is explained. Finally, the researchers present an example from a study performed on the "Close to Home"
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Jerome V. D' AgostinoRoss J. LoomisBetsy Webb
In this paper, Robert F. Kelly of the University of British Columbia presents a set of generalizations on visitor satisfaction based participation in two dozen empirical studies of museum visitors and non-visitors. Kelly analyzes visitors' motives for going or not going to museums and cites specific evidence from the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
This paper presents the methodology and findings of the formative and summative evaluation of the "Kongo Ranger Station" interactive interpretive displayed located in the new "Africa Rain Forest" exhibit at the Metro Washington Park Zoo. This display focuses on conservation, natural history and cultural issues in West and Central Africa.
In this paper, Margaret Marino of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History discusses methodology and findings of an extensive summative evaluation of the "Horse Tales--An Evolutionary Odyssey" exhibit. This permanent exhibition on the history, biomechanics and importance of the horse in the southwest premiered at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History before it was moved to the new Anne C. Stradling Museum of the Horse in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The appendix of this paper includes the observation forms and visitor survey used in the study.
This paper discusses the meaning of conceptual frameworks and the problems that arise when exhibit developers and visitors use different conceptual frameworks to interpret exhibits. The authors draw on experience and evaluation findings from a recent project developing an interactive traveling exhibit about chemistry.