Potential roles of research in enhancing the performance of management in securing high quality visitor experiences in wilderness

Abstract

Does research help managers provide opportunities for visitors to have high quality experiences in wilderness? Difficulties in applying visitor experience research result from several factors: the nature of wilderness itself, the character of the wilderness visitor experience challenge as a research and management topic, and the paradigm of research applications employed by wilderness scientists. Many wilderness visitor research applications seem to be built upon a "hypodermic needle" model of knowledge transfer rather than the more interactive approach needed in a context of rapid policy and social change and uncertainty. This paper suggests scientists and managers consider the long-established, but little used, approach to research applications of forming a community of practice.

Parent Publication

• Wilderness visitor experiences: Progress in research and management; 2011 April 4-7; Missoula, MT

Citation

McCool, Stephen F. 2012. Potential roles of research in enhancing the performance of management in securing high quality visitor experiences in wilderness. In: Cole, David N., comp. Wilderness visitor experiences: Progress in research and management; 2011 April 4-7; Missoula, MT. Proc. RMRS-P-66. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station p. 179-187.