Participant Reactivity in an Exhibition: The Effect of Overt Observation on Engagement Times

Abstract Participant reactivity was examined in a section of the National Park Center Multimar Wattforum in Tönning, Germany, which combines aquariums with exhibits typical of museums and science centers. Engagement times with exhibits were compared between cued and uncued visitors. Cued visitors were overtly observed. Some were also prompted before the observation period to think aloud. Data were collected by paper-and-pencil timing and tracking. Participants spent approximately 15 min in the observation section. Reactivity was not significant for overtly observed cued visitors unless they were asked to think aloud. In this case, reactivity depended on the type of exhibit. Reactivity was high for information stations, moderate for interactive stations, and low for aquariums. The results indicate that reactivity effects are negligible for overt observation if after the cueing no further interaction between participants and observers takes place but increase considerably even with minimal interaction.