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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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.
The 2012 National Science Foundation (NSF) Informal Science Education (ISE) Principal Investigator (PI) Meeting convened 241 PIs, March 14-16, 2012. This Program Guide includes the agenda, location map, and a list of CAISE Partners and Advisors. The agenda includes descriptions of Nascent to Burgeoning Communities of Interest discussions along themes related to STEM Media, Organizational Networks, Professional Development in ISE, Sustainability Science and Education in ISE, Art and Science Education, Public Engagement with Science, Future of Natural History Learning, Designing, Making, Playing
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TEAM MEMBERS:
CAISE
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this article, Ross J. Loomis of Colorado State University discusses the significance of the Visitor Studies Conference in Ottawa as well as the regular presentations on visitor research at the American Association of Museums national meetings. Loomis also outlines agenda items for the newly created Visitor Studies Association and future Visitor Studies Conferences.
In this paper, Minda Borun of the Franklin Institute Science Museum responds to questions raised by Harris Shettel during the opening session at the 1991 Visitor Studies Conference. Borun explains why the status of museum evaluation is "definitely improving," offers important research questions to consider, distinguishes between research and evaluation, and answers the lingering question, "Where do we go from here?" by summarizing the thoughts of several speakers who attended the conference.
This paper presents research related to labels that assist visitors in interpreting objects in scientific museums. The authors present an overview of the linguistic tendencies of labeling in museums and scientific exhibitions. In addition, initial findings from a study of modified label text will shed light on the impact of variable text. Note: the figures in this paper are in French.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Julie DesjardinsDaniel JacobiMarie-Sylvie Poli
This paper discusses the the value of interpretive inquiry in examining visitors' reactions to museum environments as well as evaluating visitor outcomes expected by those producing the environments. This paper provides an explanation of interpretive inquiry as well as examples of this methodology in action at the Gibson House Living History Museum, Ontario Science Centre, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
This paper discusses the Museum Impact and Evaluation Study, a research collaborative originated by the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, and made up of nine museums from across the country. The intent of the study was to reach toward understanding the long-term outcomes of museums visits, focusing on the relationships that develop between visitors and museums and exhibits within museums over time. This overview provides a summation of the project's scope, research process, plan, and current status.