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Abstract
The authors conducted a knowledge-based survey of adult visitors at Mote Aquarium (Sarasota, Florida) over several months to test objective learning. Ten fixed-response questions predicated on information in graphics located near some of the exhibits were asked of 123 visitors at the aquarium entrance (control group); another 124 visitors were queried at the exit after having passed through the aquarium (test group). The fraction of right answers was significantly greater in the test group (F(1,245)=25.13,p<0.0001), indicating short-term learning and retention. Confidence interval analysis yielded root-mean-square standardized effect (RMSSE) values of 0.27 (lower limit) and 0.63 (upper limit). Comparison of these numbers with the total standard deviation (±0.17) indicates only a moderate experimental effect, weakened in particular by the upper limit, and highlights a need to tighten the survey questions until variation in the fraction answered correctly becomes distributed more evenly.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Mote Marine Laboratory and Mote Aquarium staffers Dan Bebak, Julie Childers, Kevin Curlee, and Barbara Kirkpatrick for participating in the focus group. The authors also thank the 11 volunteers who served as interviewers and Mote Marine Laboratory for sponsoring the study. Gary Adams evaluated the data analysis, John D. Buck and Barbara Kirkpatrick reviewed the manuscript, and Michael Spotte assisted with Figure 1. The editor and two anonymous reviewers offered valuable criticisms and suggestions.