In this article, Wilcomb E. Washburn, Director of the Smithsonian's Office of American Studies, discusses museum directors' lack of confidence, fear, and "sheer ignorance" of the value of evaluation. Washburn goes on to discuss how this lack of commitment to evaluation is mirrored by AAM policies.
This is a brief summary of a 1982 report by Jacksonville State University researchers entitled "Research and Design at the Reid Park Zoo." This report outlines design research by describing an evaluation of the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson. The authors suggest three ways that careful design research benefits a facility and identify principles for better zoo design.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Visitor Studies AssociationJ MartinJ O'Reilly
This is a brief summary of a 1981 paper in the "Proceedings of the Environmental Design Research Association" that defines post-occupancy evaluations as multifaceted alternative to exhibit evaluation.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Visitor Studies AssociationJ Shettel-NeuberJ O'ReillyJ Vining
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.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Visitor Studies AssociationJ. LandayR Bridge
In this brief outline, Jacksonville State University's Steve Bitgood identifies key questions and proposed answers related to exhibit design. Questions focus on the purpose, planning, management, timing, funding, criteria, measurement, and audience of exhibit studies.
This is a brief summary of Randall Washburne and J. Alan Wagar's 1972 article, "Evaluating Visitor Behavior to Exhibit Content." Washburne and Wagar studied visitor preference for types of exhibit presentations in visitor centers. Key findings include visitors' preferences related to three categories: stimulus, subjects, and strategies for communication.
This is a brief summary of a 1973 article entitled "Exhibits: Art Form or Educational Medium?" in which author Harris Shettel classifies exhibits into three major categories: intrinsically interesting exhibits, exhibits with an aesthetic appeal, and exhibits with an educational role.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Visitor Studies AssociationHarris Shettel
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.
DATE:
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.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Visitor Studies AssociationD.G. HaywardJ.W. Larkin
This is a brief summary of the section on the two stages of formative evaluation in C.G. Screven's 1986 article, "Exhibitions and Information Centers: Principles and Approaches."
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Visitor Studies AssociationC.G. Screven