Demographic Studies in Zoos

Over the last few weeks, the direction of my thesis project has remained fairly constant. One of the primary things I am researching at the moment is demographic studies of zoos and their audiences. The reason for this is that I will be including studies or experiments from similarly sized or demographically diverse institutions and relating what could be implemented at the Seneca Park Zoo. By comparing institutions that have a similar demographic composition it is possible to infer how an audience of similar composition, not necessarily number of patrons, may respond in an experiment. Demographic studies in cultural institutions are also important in visitor studies because it provides the institution an insight as to who their audience actually is. This information may change the way an institution plans an exhibition if the institution realizes that the audience they were developing an exhibition for is not included in the audience that walks through the doors on a day-to-day basis.

Photo Credit: Seneca Park Zoo
http://senecaparkzoo.org/page/polar-bear-awareness

Birney, Barbara A., and Carolyn Heinrich. “Understanding Demographic Data on Zoo Visitors.” The Journal of Museum Education 16, no. 2 (April 1, 1991): 19–22.