Record Details
Great white mystery : learning from aquarium exhibits
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Great white mystery : learning from aquarium exhibits |
| Names |
Wharton, James M.
(creator) |
| Date Issued | 2002-11-08 (iso8601) |
| Internet Media Type | application/pdf |
| Note | Graduation date: 2003 |
| Abstract | In the summer of 2001 the Oregon Coast Aquarium opened a new exhibit on sharks entitled, "Great White Mystery: What Happened to Surfer Bob?" For the purposes of this study, a survey was designed to determine whether visitors to the new exhibit learned factual information or left with changed attitudes towards sharks. A sample of 186 first-time visitors were surveyed before their Aquarium visit. A separate sample of 214 visitors was surveyed afterwards. In addition, 67 post-visit respondents agreed to participate in a follow-up telephone survey. Cumulative scores on cognitive questions were significantly higher in the post-visit group than in the pre-visit group—suggesting learning did occur. Scores on the follow-up group's surveys were not significantly different from their postvisit surveys. Differences in affective questions about sharks were not significantly different in the pre- and post-visit groups. Cumulative follow-up scores on affective questions were lower, but not significantly so. Overall, visitors seemed to learn factual information about sharks with that knowledge persisting in follow-up surveys, while their attitudes about sharks were unchanged. |
| Genre | Thesis |
| Topic | Oregon Coast Aquarium -- Exhibitions -- Evaluation |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/4248 |
