This paper discusses the underutilization of security personnel in visitor studies. Observations from guards at the Milwaukee Public Museum offer insight into their unique perspective on various visitor trends including ethnic group attendance, exhibit hall traffic patterns, and learning. Based on this study, the author offers three steps to using security guard observations that can enhance communication, increase attendance of target audiences, and aid in program/exhibit policy.
This paper explores the usefulness of children's drawings as tools for zoo exhibit evaluation. This paper presents preliminary analysis of children's drawings of completed exhibits at Woodland Park Zoological Gardens, which show they have promise as diagnostic tools, but require refinement and development by educational/behavioral experts.
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.
In this paper, Florence Bramley of the Graphics Group presents a few "almost-true" stories about how zoos (or museums) design signage for exhibits. Bramley emphasizes the importance of having a strategy for signage design, evaluation, and execution.
In this paper, Howard Litwak, principal at Joseph A. Wetzel Associates, discusses the value of evaluation in exhibit design. Litwak identifies several issues fundamental to exhibit development that would benefit from the analysis and establishment of standardized guidelines. Litwak presents these areas in hopes that researchers will accept the challenge of establishing more standards for exhibit development.
In this paper, consultant Rosalyn Rubenstein discusses "the applicability gap"--the term Ross Loomis coined to describe the failure to get into practice ideas that are generated from research and development. Rubenstein examines some of the causes of the applicability gap and some bridges for overcoming it.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Roslyn RubensteinVisitor Studies Association
In response to Marilyn Hood's article "The Use, Misuse, And Abuse Of Consultants, I: The View Of An Audience Researcher" found in the same issue, consultant Harris Shettel discusses the challenges of the consultant-museum staff relationship from the perspective of an evaluator. Shettel describes instances of misuse and abuse of consultant evaluators.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Visitor Studies AssociationHarris Shettel
In this article, audience researcher Marilyn G. Hood offers precautions and identifies potential trouble spots to help consultants and researchers work together effectively in a partnership. Hood presents eight topics that are the bases for most difficulties arising in the relationship between consultant and museum staff and/or trustees. In addition, Hood outlines nine ways audience researchers may experience additional difficulties peculiar to this field.
This paper focuses on three major issues impeding evaluation at museums: 1) the lack of understanding about evaluation and its uses in museum settings; 2) tight budgets; and 3) staff issues. The authors explain how the Memphis Museum System has addressed each issue and offer suggestions for generic solutions for each issue, which can be used by others.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Tara KnottDouglas Noble
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this article, Stephen Bitgood, of Jacksonville State University, summarizes some of the professional issues related to visitor studies. Bitgood also argues in favor of professionalism in visitor studies and presents the advantages in having "visitor studies" identified as a professional field.