In this article, researchers at University of Florida present a report of a preliminary study that examined the effects of multispecies exhibits in zoological parks on visitor attention and possible interactions between factors identified as affecting visitor behavior. The study was carried out at the Jacksonville Zoo.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
John Scott FosterJohn J. Koran, Jr.Mary Lou KoranSteven StarkAnn BlackwoodHarriet Landers
In this article, Donald Thompson and Stephen Bitgood of Jacksonville State University discuss a study that examined three variables that influence the readability of exhibit signs and labels: label length, type size, and position (or proximity) of the label. Researchers studied subjects from 5,822 visitor groups in "The Predators" building at the Birmingham Zoo between August and December of 1987.
In this article, Donald Patterson and Stephen Bitgood outline principles of exhibit design, which describe the relationship between visitor behavior and the characteristics of the exhibit environment. These principles include exhibit design factors (size, motion, aesthetic factors, novelty or rarity, sensory factors, interactive factors, and triangulation), visitor factors (visitor participation, object satiation, special interests, demographic factors, and other psychological factors), and architectural factors (visibility, proximity of animal/object, realism of exhibit area, and sensory
In this article, Kathleen F. Wagner, Senior Vice President of Education at the Philadelphia Zoo, discusses the importance of institutional acceptance of visitor evaluation. She offers a 12-step approach to institutionalizing evaluation.
In this article, staff at the University of Florida's Florida Museum of Natural History discuss the efforts of the Learning in Informal Settings Program, including three international evaluation studies.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
John J. Koran, Jr.Mary Lou KoranBetty Dunckel CampAnne E. Donnelly
This is the conclusion of an article that was omitted from the previous issue of "Visitor Behavior." In this article, Kathleen F. Wagner discusses their efforts to institutionalize evaluation at the Philadelphia Zoo.
In this paper, Kathryn Nelson of the University of Washington discusses her efforts to study visitor response to naturalistic exhibits. Nelson shares evaluation methods and findings of Northern Trail exhibit at the Woodland Park Zoological Gardens. The purpose of the study was to assess how well visitors responded to the exhibit's attractiveness, enjoyment potential, and animal well-being as well as evaluate whether visitors felt they learned facts or attitudes during their visit and their overall impressions of the exhibit.
In this article, Kristine Westerberg discusses the Shedd Aquarium's new initiative for audience research and development and shares some preliminary findings from their initial efforts.
In this article, Carol D. Saunders and H. Elizabeth Stuart Perry of the Brookfield Zoo provide findings from the summative evaluation of "The Swamp." This immersive wetlands exhibit was designed to encourage people to appreciate the benefits of ecosystems and features animals and plants of a cypress swamp and of an Illinois riverine wetland.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Carol SaundersH. Elizabeth Stuart Perry
In this article, Gary Clarke, Director of the Topeka Zoo, describes the opening of Gorilla Encounter, a fascinating gorilla exhibit. Clarke's account of the opening day is important because of the successful planning that made standing in line almost a pleasant experience for visitors.
In this article, Steve Bitgood, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Jacksonville State University, presents general principles that can be used to guide exhibit designers, facility planners, and decision-makers of exhibit-type facilities. Bitgood offers two principles of visitor behavior that deal with physical qualities of the exhibit object or spieces.