A Knowledge-based Survey of Adult Aquarium Visitors

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.

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