Environmental interpretation evaluation in natural areas
Environmental interpretation is widely assumed to influence visitor behaviour and reduce impacts on a natural site. Assumptions of cause and effect are difficult to attribute and relatively few studies evaluate the effects of interpretation on visitor behaviours. We reviewed a sample of the interpre...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
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Channel View Publications
2008
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/19400 |
| _version_ | 1848750022757187584 |
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| author | Munro, J. Morrison Saunders, A. Hughes, Michael |
| author_facet | Munro, J. Morrison Saunders, A. Hughes, Michael |
| author_sort | Munro, J. |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Environmental interpretation is widely assumed to influence visitor behaviour and reduce impacts on a natural site. Assumptions of cause and effect are difficult to attribute and relatively few studies evaluate the effects of interpretation on visitor behaviours. We reviewed a sample of the interpretation evaluation literature available through online databases. We looked at the internal validity of evaluative studies and compared different interpretive approaches in terms of outcomes. Findings indicate an evaluative emphasis on quantifying knowledge gain and attitude change with few studies extending to measurement of behavioural change. The large number of possible variables and small number of completed studies prevent substantive conclusions on the role of interpretation in promoting more sustainable visitor behaviour. Further research is needed in terms of robust evaluative studies to facilitate development of a clear understanding of interpretive programs' influence on visitor behaviour. It is problematic to assess environmental interpretation as a visitor management tool until further such evaluative studies are performed. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T07:30:14Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-19400 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T07:30:14Z |
| publishDate | 2008 |
| publisher | Channel View Publications |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-194002017-01-30T12:13:41Z Environmental interpretation evaluation in natural areas Munro, J. Morrison Saunders, A. Hughes, Michael validity environmental interpretation evaluation Environmental interpretation is widely assumed to influence visitor behaviour and reduce impacts on a natural site. Assumptions of cause and effect are difficult to attribute and relatively few studies evaluate the effects of interpretation on visitor behaviours. We reviewed a sample of the interpretation evaluation literature available through online databases. We looked at the internal validity of evaluative studies and compared different interpretive approaches in terms of outcomes. Findings indicate an evaluative emphasis on quantifying knowledge gain and attitude change with few studies extending to measurement of behavioural change. The large number of possible variables and small number of completed studies prevent substantive conclusions on the role of interpretation in promoting more sustainable visitor behaviour. Further research is needed in terms of robust evaluative studies to facilitate development of a clear understanding of interpretive programs' influence on visitor behaviour. It is problematic to assess environmental interpretation as a visitor management tool until further such evaluative studies are performed. 2008 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/19400 Channel View Publications restricted |
| spellingShingle | validity environmental interpretation evaluation Munro, J. Morrison Saunders, A. Hughes, Michael Environmental interpretation evaluation in natural areas |
| title | Environmental interpretation evaluation in natural areas |
| title_full | Environmental interpretation evaluation in natural areas |
| title_fullStr | Environmental interpretation evaluation in natural areas |
| title_full_unstemmed | Environmental interpretation evaluation in natural areas |
| title_short | Environmental interpretation evaluation in natural areas |
| title_sort | environmental interpretation evaluation in natural areas |
| topic | validity environmental interpretation evaluation |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/19400 |