Museum Evaluation and Audience Research

Research and evaluation are critical for museums and similar institutions, especially in an age of data-driven decisions and public accountability.

Organizations cannot learn and improve in any systematic way without some means of assessment.

Museum professionals in nearly any position find themselves required to conduct evaluations for their institution or oversee contracted researchers.

This course provides students with a general understanding of the entire research process from study design to reporting, centered on a real-world group evaluation project.

As a team, student groups work collaboratively over the course of the semester to evaluate an online informal learning experience and may need to recruit adults to participate in the study.

The course is appropriate for those interested in education, exhibitions, marketing, and development in museums and related organizations, who may be involved in the design, oversight, implementation, or use of research and evaluation.