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Phil,

This is a succinct, clear reply, and helps clarify the discussion. I think 
it is an important one--enough to continue the topic. I am one of the dopey 
ones who, as a friend pointed out off list, used espistemology and ontology 
in the same sentence. Sorry about that! :-)

I am an evaluator, and I often find program people who cringe at the time 
evaluation and research take when they are trying to serve a particular 
group of people and pull it all off with what is often limited time and 
resources. I really sympathize with that. Informal science educators are 
often, from my experience, trying to pull off amazing programming with 
scarce resources. They are so dedicated they do it by contributing time far 
beyond what they are being paid for, and they deeply care about the folks 
they are serving.

The thing is, these studies let your voice be heard on policy issues, and 
many of the studies are how the programs and exhibits get shared among the 
informal science community. They are also a way to share "what doesn't work" 
so your time is better spent in building new and innovative programs and 
exhibits on a share body of knowledge.

Recently, I did a lit review on Earth and Planetary Science. One of the 
concepts underlying theory in the area was "complex dynamic systems." 
Understanding this concept involves seeing the effects of multiple variables 
on different levels of a system, i.e., micro, macro. That's what's going on 
here. Through research and evaluation studies, the efforts as the program 
level can have effects on the larger system--in policy, funding, and by 
sharing information.

I think one of the real issues underlying this discussion is operating the 
informal science education enterprise on the basis of scarcity. Are 
business-based concepts such as "lean and mean" in staffing, and 
accountability working to develop a lively, innovative national effort in 
informal science education? What are the impact of these things in terms of 
staff turnover, organizational culture, and anger and stress on individuals? 
These things are the result of positivist science applied to social systems.

I know, it is tough to drain the swamp when you are fightling the 
alligators. But, I hope you will really consider letting your voice and 
perspectives be heard in these studies. Those of us who do research and 
evaluation need to do a better job of making the case for why your time 
counts in participating. We also need to have some courage to look at these 
very real underlying issues of scarcity and its impact.

Best Regards,

Carey

Carey Tisdal
Tisdal Consulting
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Phil Edgerton" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 8:51 AM
Subject: studies


> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related 
> institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> I don't want to continue this topic except to say that most of the 
> responses
> seemed to completely miss my point. I'm not against discussion of 
> different
> topics. What I was objecting to is the multiple requests for my time to
> complete questionnaires and supply data for other people's studies. This
> could be a considerable drain on the time of any one who responded to all 
> of
> them. I don't think the people who ask for this time are considerate 
> enough
> of what they are asking. (Except of course for the one who offered $100.00
> to people who wanted to take part). That is my beef, delete button or no.
>
> Phil Edgerton, Asheville, NC
>
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> More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
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> 

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