ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions. ***************************************************************************** I have conducted a variety of evaluation research for exhibit, film, and radio projects, and have used several recruitment techniques successfully: 1. Get a school to cooperate in an evaluation, creating incentives through a modest donation to the school or PTA, comp field trips or IMAX tickets. 2. Recruit museum members by offering them a free dinner. 3. Recruit museum visitors through incentives such as IMAX passes or a discount in the gift shop or a small gift certificate. 4. Recruit a broader sample of adults through Craig's list, working with community organizations, etc., again offering some modest incentives. One issue you have to be cognizant of can be referred to as "use of human subjects", in other words, being aware of ethical and legal issues involved in observing or surveying children or adults. It is probably best, in most cases, to get a parental consent form signed when kids are involved (up to age 16 or so). By participating, adults have presumably given their consent (i.e., they have agreed to answer questions or to be observed), unless the research involves some deception. Some funders, such as the National Institutes of Health, require a review of your research plan and instruments by an Institutional Review Board, a committee you can find at universities and other research organizations. The IRB reviews your proposed plans and approves or disapproves of it, based upon whether it is properly designed with respect to ethical and informed consent issues and that necessary permissions have been received from those "human subjects" involved. Robert L. Russell, Ph.D., Principal Learning Experience Design (202) 997-5539 [log in to unmask] Science Advisor, Celebra la Ciencia www.celebralaciencia.org *********************************************************************** More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org. To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to [log in to unmask]