We recently created exhibit survey forms using Google Forms (very easy to use) and then made the survey available to visitors using an iPad in an enclosed kiosk, like this one. I then used the free app 'Kiosk Pro Lite' to lock the iPad down so users can only access the survey. Google automatically compiles the information, both as individual responses and in a summary format with charts. The individual responses can be exported to an Excel spreadsheet.
In the surveys we do ask visitors to include their age range. For a recent exhibit survey, just over half of respondents were ages 17 and under. Although a large portion of our visitors are school age children, I feel that our results are skewed younger than our general audience. As George Wachtel noted, it would be ideal to engage visitors as well to ask them to take the survey so you're getting a representative sample.
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Andrew Harrington
Exhibits Manager
State Historical Museum - State Historical Society of Iowa
Des Moines IA
Original Message:
Sent: 04-05-2016 09:22 AM
From: George Wachtel
Subject: Visitor Suggestions
A program like Survey Gizmo has a Kiosk mode, which can even operate offline if need be. The programming is pretty easy and has the advantage of using logic to guide the respondent to the right question. For example, if a respondent lets you know that they did not feel engaged by a particular exhibition, you can pose several reasons and/or add an open-ended comment. Those who liked the exhibition would be programmed to skip the "explanation" question.
Also, eliminating the data entry mode is a real time saver.
Finally, and most importantly from ARA's perspective, is the issue of self-selection in the kiosk setting. It is advisable for a docent or other volunteer try to engage the visitor to take the brief survey. They may or may not really be familiar with the questionnaire, per se, but it is important to get a wide and REPRESENTATIVE view or you're looking at biased data.
Happy to talk further.
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George Wachtel
President
Audience Research & Analysis
New York NY