Walking: The New Tool for Analyzing Museum Visitors

Walking: The New Tool for Analyzing Museum Visitors

Purpose This study aims to research walking as a new tool for visitor analysis in the museums. Method After literature review, multiple case study methodology with some components of duoethnographic arts-based research were employed for this research. The data, including walking videos, photo journals, and dialogues at several museums, were collected and analyzed qualitatively. Results Museum visitors' walking can be categorized in five types - browsing walking, relational walking, analytical walking, recreational walking, and virtual walking. Each type has one or two sub-categories to shed light on visitors' walking patterns. Conclusion Museum staffs and educators will be able to use walking analysis as supporting data for making decision on their program development, exhibition planning, and spatial arrangement to improve visitors' museum experience.