MODULE A1
Semi-structured interviews with visitors, immediately after visit.
The following grid for semi-structured interviews should be interpreted as a guideline. For technical details on how to conduct semi-structured interviews please refer to the Methodological Considerations Chapter (p.25).
Important note: Please retain the general term ‘science and technology’ throughout the interview scheme only in the case that the museum or science centre you are using covers a broad spectrum of science and technology topics. If the museum or science centre you are collecting data from has a very specific scope, please replace the term ‘science and technology’ with a more specific and relevant term or rephrase the questions accordingly.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Questions to visitors of science centres/museums immediately after their visit about learning key concepts, understanding principles, attitudes towards S&T, attitudes towards the science centre, motivation, inspiration, interest in following S&T news/events/innovations, beliefs about controversial issues, self-esteem, confidence.
LONG TERM IMPACT
(applicable only if it is not the first visit for a visitor)
Questions to past visitors with regards to long term effects (memorable experiences, changes in behaviour and participation in public events). What we are looking for are long – term changes observed between two consecutive visits (at least six months apart). By past visitors we mean recurrent visitors or visitors who have come to the museum at least twice. Potential respondents need to be asked ‘Is this your first visit?’ If the answer is no, then the second question needs to be ‘how long ago was your last visit’. In order to be recruited, at least six month should have passed between the first (or last) and the current visit.