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Welcome to the Park Studies Unit
The PSU is a National Park Service research unit, part of the Department of Conservation Social Sciences in the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources.
- Visitor Services Project
- Visitor Survey Card
- Commercial Services Project
- Focus Groups
- MGM
- Contact Us
Phone:
208 885 2269
Fax:
208-885-4261
Mailing Address:
University of Idaho
Park Studies Unit
College of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 441139
Moscow ID, 83844-1139Street address:
University of Idaho
Park Studies Unit
College of Natural Resources
W 6th & Line
Moscow ID, 83844-1139
Welcome to the Park Studies Unit
The Park Studies Unit (PSU) asks people about the places they live, work, and visit, and provides answers for land managers, park superintendents, community organizations, municipalities and other agencies that manage places for people. Based at the University of Idaho, the PSU is a cooperating partner of the National Park Service Social Science Program, and has operated since 1979.
The PSU provides the following services:
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Visitor Services Project in-depth visitor studiesThe Visitor Services Project (VSP) provides park managers with usable knowledge about visitors--their demographics, trip characteristics, opinions about park services and facilities, etc.--by designing, conducting and analyzing in-depth customized surveys of park visitors. Learn more... |
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Visitor Survey CardCustomer satisfaction is important and NPS park managers find out how they are doing through a short visitor satisfaction survey--the Visitor Survey Card Project (VSC). These cards are distributed annually in all parks that have visitors to meet Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) requirements about visitor satisfaction. Learn more... |
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Focus GroupsThese structured, small group discussions generate data on a specific topic of interest, from park visitors as well as from communities outside parks. Explore the reasons why certain populations don't visit a park or other site, or gather park partners' input regarding management decisions. Focus groups can also evaluate services and facilities such as interpretive services, signage, ticketing systems, safety and so on. Try our online focus group training program with step-by-step instructions for conducting an evaluative type of focus group. Learn more... |
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Custom StudiesNeed to find out more about a particular group of visitors, or non-visitors, such as local residents, backcountry permit holders, in-holding landowners, or children? Need a better way to count visitors? Or do you have an issue critical to your site, such as ecosystem services, ticket systems, safety, or shuttle buses? Please contact us for more information. |
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Economic Impact AnalysisHow much does visitor spending in a park and surrounding communities contribute to the region's economy? The PSU answers this and other local economic impact questions using the Money Generation Model 2 (MGM2) developed specifically for the National Park Service. Read more… |
The PSU also offers technical survey assistance to parks and other organizations, develops new evaluation tools, and provides training about evaluation techniques. Asking people about their opinions and experiences helps agencies and organizations better serve people and be more efficient managers by better understanding their clientele.
Contact us to discuss your survey needs!
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Acting Director, University of Idaho Park Studies Unit and Director Visitor Services Project |
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Director |