24 June 2013

mNACTEC conducts a visitor survey

Applications for smartphones are among the new types of information resources  offered by museums. Yet how are these media used in relation to museum visits? How can applications enhance the museum experience?

In order to answer these and other challenging questions, mNACTEC has conducted a survey designed to explore the museum’s visitor profile, experience and use of smartphones. Target was divided in two segments: weekend visitors and school visitors.  

Weekend visitors

A total of 197 individual visitors were surveyed. The information was gathered during the Hispabrick magazine event (8th December 2012), a high-impact activity, and on two regular dates (2nd and 3rd February 2013).

Among other relevant findings, the survey showed that 52% of weekend visitors owns an smartphone. Among those who use an smarthone, 10% acknowledge the existence of mNACTEC app.  

Users were asked to rate their overall experience at the museum on a scale of 1 to 10, giving an average rate of 8,6.

School visitors

A total of 349 students were surveyed on four days, from 18th to 21st December 2012. 

Smartphone ownership is higher among students (63%) and grows as age progresses. Besides, 17% of smartphone user acknowledge the existence of mNACTEC app for smartphones.

Young people show lower levels of satisfaction with the overall experience (7,5 on a 1-10 scale). 

These and further analysis may give clues on how mNACTEC and other museums can use mobile technology to extend audience reach and increase visitor engagement and participation.