The Visitor Studies Group

Evidence-based excellence

Thinktank, Birmingham, Monday 10 September

A day of practical workshops and case-study examples outlining how to use visitor studies approaches and techniques to achieve evidence-based excellence in visitor experiences.

Presentations and notes from the speakers can be found at the foot of this page.

Recommended reading: Creswell, D. (2007) Designing and conducting mixed methods Research

What evidence to gather and for what purpose?
(Jen DeWitt & Susie Fisher)

This interactive session will kick off the day by encouraging participants to reflect on the evaluation needs they are facing in their own institutions. Participants will gain a sense of the breadth of tools available to them and then will explore in more depth the circumstances in which they might be appropriate. The session will encourage participants to consider the purpose of collecting data and how it might be presented. Finally, participants will look in depth and what kinds of data they might collect to meet their needs - or matching their questions to evaluation methods.

Techniques to help you analyse your findings
(Kayte McSweeney & Jen DeWitt)

What do you do with all the qualitative data you have collected? This session will look at sorting, analysing and making sense of your findings in a way that will allow most beneficial and successful use of them. Participants will be introduced to the methodology that best suits their individual needs. Never be at a loss with what to do with reams of raw data again and become confident in dealing with your findings in ways that ensure it can be acted upon and impact can be realistically measured.

Case-study from Thinktank
(Clara Lim)

The development of the new outdoor Science Garden at Thinktank was informed by visitors big and small from near and far. In this session, we look at how consultation and evaluation shaped the design and operation of the space. Take part in a 'treasure hunt' to work out where and how the feedback has been incorporated - you'll have a chance to try out the Science Garden exhibits too!

Finding evidence from outside your organisation
(Helen Featherstone, VSG Chair)

We often think of working with our audiences as a priority in visitor studies. But there are other sources of information and insight. In this interactive session we’ll explore where to look, who to talk with and how to bring this evidence into your institution.

Q&A and 'surgery' sessions
(Kayte, Helen, Jen)

An opportunity to discuss your own work and orgnisation's needs one-to-one with today's speakers or to network with other delegates.