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, 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 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 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
In this article, Harry Searles, Director of Educational Services at the Ohio Historical Society, discusses the development of four computer programs used as orientation and exit exhibits. These programs aimed to improve and measure visitor interaction and understanding. Findings from this research are briefly summarized.
In this article, Stephen L. Gerritson of Economic Research Associates discusses a study conducted by the Iron Range Interpretive Center to learn more about its visitors. This museum of mining history and ethnic heritage in Chisholm, Minnesota conducted intercept surveys in the summer of 1986 to better understand visitor demographics, visitor expectations, and the visitor experience.
This is a summary of A.W. Melton's 1936 paper, "Distribution of Attention in Galleries in a Museum of Science and Industry." Melton studied the role of movement in attracting visitors by evaluating a gear-shaper located in the machine tool section of the New York Museum of Science and Industry. Melton determined that while any kind of movement attracts visitors, the overall consequences of this movement on the exhibit may not be be positive.
This is a brief summary of A.W. Melton's 1936 paper, "Distribution of Attention in Galleries in a Museum of Science and Industry." Melton studied how visitor behavior was impacted by manually-operated exhibits demonstrating electricity. Automatic operation of the exhibits was compared with manual operation.
In this article, Randi Korn reviews the "Museum Audiences Today: Building Constituencies for the Future" study, a 1984 evaluation of 25 museums in Southern California. Korn summarizes the book and key findings from the study.