| 1. |
Define the problem or question. |
| 2. |
Determine what kind of information will help you make a decision |
| 3. |
Determine what information you already have |
| 4. |
Decide on a budget |
| 5. |
Decide the most practical and valid way to collect the data |
| 6. |
Report the information in an accessible and relevant way to answer the problem identified in step 1. |
| 7. |
Store the information so that you build knowledge over time. |
How do I write a
research brief?
This detailed
guide for writing a research brief comes from the Government
Communications Unit from the Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet (Australia). It is applicable to a wide
range of social and market research circumstances, including
audience research for cultural institutions.
Go to Writing a
Research Brief Guide.
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How do
I conduct a market research study?
Prove it! is a
practical guide to market research for museums and visitor
attractions presented by a collaborative group of museums in
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, England. This book-length
guide is online at their website and can be downloaded in
sections. It is intended as a resource which allows small
(often voluntary) museums and galleries to undertake and
commission coherent professionally structured market
research. Go to Prove It !.
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How do I
undertake a program evaluation?
Some notes about
the process are available
here
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How do
I undertake an exhibition evaluation?
Some notes about
the process are available
here and
here. For more
information refer to the EVRSIG
Resource section
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How do I design a
questionnaire?
Julie Leones, an Extension Economist from the University of Arizona, has written a comprehensive guide to designing and conducting Visitor surveys. The purpose of this document is to provide basic information about conducting visitor surveys, that can be used by profesionals and others interested in conducting surveys. Go to the guide
The Evaluation &
Visitor Research Special Interest Group of Museums Australia
has established a set of standardised questions that can be
used by cultural institutions throughout Australia.
This document outlines a standard format for collecting
basic information about visitor surveys.
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How do
I plan and conduct tracking and observation studies?
Information on
observations are available from the AMARC website page at AMARC.
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How do I conduct a
focus group?
Focus groups are a
qualitative method of social science research widely used in
marketing and commercial sectors for product testing, as
well as in sociology, political research and management
planning and strategy. Focus groups are in-depth discussions
usually lasting one to two hours with small groups of eight
to ten people who are carefully selected based on a set of
criteria. This
Museum Methods sheet gives a brief introduction to what
is a very specialised and complex research methodology, and includes a list of further readings and useful websites.
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How do I use meta
evaluation?
Meta evaluation is
the process of exploring a variety of completed studies with
the aim of gaining new insights or finding new questions. It
is sometimes referred to as data mining.
Some notes about meta evaluation are available
here.
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How do I evaluate a
website?
As museums are
continually expanding their online activities, evaluating
visitors’ needs and the use of museum websites
is becoming a priority. Visit the
AMARC FAQ's for more info.
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Where can I find books about evaluation and visitor
research?
Go to the
Bibliography and Books section for a list of suppliers
and downloadable reading lists.
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How do I find information on research suppliers?
Do you need
to find a consultant to conduct research on your project?
Museums Australia have a database of registered professional
consultants and suppliers at the
Museums Australia
consultants list page.
The Australian
Market & Social Research Society Limited (AMSRS) is a
not-for-profit professional membership body of more than
2,100 market research professionals who are dedicated to
increasing the standard and understanding of market research
in Australia. The Society assists members to develop their
careers by heightening professional standards and ethics in
the fields of marketing and social research. The AMSRS also
has a searchable list of qualified research consultants.
Go to their consultant list.
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