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In the summer of 2001 the Oregon Coast Aquarium opened a new exhibit on sharks entitled, "Great White Mystery: What Happened to Surfer Bob?" For the purposes of this study, a survey was designed to determine whether visitors to the new exhibit learned factual information or left with changed attitudes towards sharks. A sample of 186 first-time visitors were surveyed before their Aquarium visit. A separate sample of 214 visitors was surveyed afterwards. In addition, 67 post-visit respondents agreed to participate in a follow-up telephone survey. Cumulative scores on cognitive questions were significantly higher in the post-visit group than in the pre-visit group—suggesting learning did occur. Scores on the follow-up group's surveys were not significantly different from their postvisit surveys. Differences in affective questions about sharks were not significantly different in the pre- and post-visit groups. Cumulative follow-up scores on affective questions were lower, but not significantly so. Overall, visitors seemed to learn factual information about sharks with that knowledge persisting in follow-up surveys, while their attitudes about sharks were unchanged. |
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