"The journal covers subjects relating to museums and learning in the context of historic sites, nature centers, parks, visitor centers, and zoos."
A research-based approach to understanding the needs, interests and behaviors of museum visitors to inform decision-making and improve visitor experience.
Visitor Behavior: Understanding how visitors move through and interact with exhibits is fundamental to managing a successful museum. This involves analyzing visitor demographics, motivations, and expectations.
Methods of Data Collection: There are many methods of collecting visitor data, including surveys, interviews, observations, and tracking technology. Knowing which method to use and when is essential for effective data collection and analysis.
Survey Design: Constructing effective surveys is a skill that requires understanding of the art and science of survey research. Careful attention to question wording, response options, and survey structure can help ensure accurate and reliable data.
Analysis and Interpretation: Once data is collected, it needs to be analyzed in a meaningful and useful way. Techniques for data analysis and interpretation include descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and pattern recognition.
Benchmarking and Comparisons: Museum managers often want to know how their institution compares to others in terms of visitor behavior, satisfaction, and preferences. Establishing benchmarks and making accurate comparisons requires careful attention to research design and data quality.
Exhibition Design: The way exhibits are designed and presented can have a profound impact on visitor behavior and engagement. Understanding the principles of exhibition design can enhance the visitor experience and improve overall museum performance.
Marketing and Promotion: Strategies for promoting a museum and its exhibitions can impact visitor behavior and attendance. Effective marketing plans should incorporate an understanding of visitor motivations, interests, and preferences.
Audience Development: Building and maintaining a loyal visitor base is a key goal of most museums. Understanding the needs and interests of different visitor segments: Including families, seniors, and school groups - can help shape programming and outreach efforts.
Facility Management: Managing the physical plant of a museum is important for ensuring visitor safety, comfort, and enjoyment. Topics in this area might include facility maintenance, security, and accessibility.
Digital and Virtual Visitors: With the advent of new technology, many museums are now able to engage with visitors beyond the physical confines of the institution. Understanding strategies for engaging with digital and virtual visitors is an important part of visitor studies today.
Front-End Studies: These studies are conducted prior to the implementation of new exhibits or programs. They aim to understand the visitors' expectations, interests, and motivations to design exhibitions that meet their requirements.
Formative Evaluation: This type of evaluation is conducted during the development phase of a museum exhibit or program. It aims to test the effectiveness of the content, displays, and interpretative strategies to improve the visitor experience.
Summative Evaluation: These evaluations are conducted after the completion of an exhibition. They aim to assess the overall experience of visitors and the effectiveness of the exhibit or program.
Benchmarking: In this type of study, the museum compares its performance with other museums worldwide or with other organizations operating in the same industry. This helps museums to identify best practices and to improve their operations.
Focus Groups: Focus groups are a qualitative research method where a group of visitors are brought together to discuss their experiences in the museum. This helps museum managers to get a better insight into the visitors' motivations and expectations.
Audience Segmentation: Audience segmentation studies aim to identify different visitor segments and their preferences, interests, and motivations. This helps the museum to design customized programs and exhibitions for each audience segment.
Exit Surveys: These surveys are conducted at the end of a visit to the museum. They help the museum to understand visitor satisfaction levels, identify areas for improvement, and gather feedback for future exhibitions or programs.
Multi-Year Trending: This longitudinal study compares visitor data over a period of several years to identify patterns and trends in visitors' behaviors, preferences, and expectations.
Social Media Analytics: Social media analytics uses data from social media platforms to understand visitor engagement and sentiment in real-time. This helps the museum to get instant feedback and to make immediate improvements if necessary.
Economic Impact Studies: Economic impact studies aim to quantify the economic benefits of the museum to the local community. This includes direct and indirect effects, such as visitor spending and employment opportunities.
"The journal covers...research methodologies."
"It is interdisciplinary in nature, including humanities, business management, and social sciences."
"The journal was established in 1998..."
"It is published by Taylor & Francis (Routledge)."
"The editors are Karen Knutson and Kevin Crowley, both of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Learning in Out-of-School Environments."
"The journal is under the auspices of the Visitor Studies Association."
"The journal covers subjects relating to museums and learning..."
"It is interdisciplinary in nature..."
"The journal covers subjects relating to museums and learning in the context of historic sites, nature centers, parks, visitor centers, and zoos."
"The journal covers subjects relating to museums and learning..."
"...historic sites, nature centers, parks, visitor centers, and zoos."
"...including reflections on the area..."
"The journal is under the auspices of the Visitor Studies Association."
"The journal covers...research methodologies."
"The journal is published by Taylor & Francis (Routledge)."
"The journal covers subjects relating to museums and learning..."
"The editors are Karen Knutson and Kevin Crowley, both of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Learning in Out-of-School Environments."
"It is interdisciplinary in nature, including humanities, business management, and social sciences."
"The journal was established in 1998..."