Data From: Aquarium Visitor Engagement with an Ocean Plastics Exhibit: Effects on Self-Reported Intended Single-Use Plastic Reductions and Plastic-Related Environmental Stewardship Actions

Authors

Britta Baechler, Portland State UniversityFollow
Elise F. Granek, Portland State UniversityFollow
Kerry A. Carlin-Morgan, Oregon Coast Aquarium
Tina E. Smith, Oregon Coast Aquarium
Max Nielsen-Pincus, Portland State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dataset

Publication Date

4-2021

Subjects

Microplastics -- Environmental aspects, Microplastics -- Measurement, Microplastics -- Oregon -- Analysis, Waste minimization -- Public opinion, Microplastics -- Public opinion, Aquariums -- Oregon --Exhibitions

Abstract

Plastic pollution requires, among a suite of other interventions, education to inspire behavioral change and reduce consumption of single-use plastics. We designed and installed an ocean plastics exhibit at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, Oregon. We evaluated visitor engagement and the effects of the exhibit on their reported single-use plastic and plastic-related environmental stewardship intentions. Timed interaction observations (n= 317) revealed children (0–17 years) engaged more with interactive elements than adults (18–80+ years). Ten single-use plastic reduction and plastic stewardship intentions were evaluated through structured questionnaires; the top three behaviors visitors intended to change were: using a reusable straw (37.4%), cleaning the beach (37.4%), and bring-your-own bag to the store or market (33.0%). 18-29 year olds had the highest change in desire to address the ocean plastic problem, but the lowest likelihood of engaging in single-use plastic reduction or plastic stewardship actions of all age groups pointing to a target age group in need of further education and outreach.

Data Description:
There are two excel files and Oregon Coast Aquarium Ocean Plastics Exhibit Signage Files.

Item descriptions:

1. Timed interaction raw data: This is the dataset from timed interactions that took place within the Oregon Coast Aquarium ocean plastics exhibit;
2. Verbal survey entered data: This is the dataset from written survey questions administered to visitors at the Oregon Coast Aquarium ocean plastics exhibit;
3. Microplastics signages.

Description

The data supports a manuscript published in Baechler, B. R., Granek, E. F., Carlin-Morgan, K. A., Smith, T. E., & Nielsen-Pincus, M. (2021). Aquarium Visitor Engagement with an Ocean Plastics Exhibit: Effects on Self-Reported Intended Single-Use Plastic Reductions and Plastic-Related Environmental Stewardship Actions. Journal of Interpretation Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/10925872211021183

Rights

This work is marked with CC0 1.0 Universal

DOI

10.15760/esm-data.3

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/35327

Recommended Citation

Baechler, Britta; Granek, Elise F.; Carlin-Morgan, Kerry A.; Smith, Tina E.; and Nielsen-Pincus, Max, "Data From: Aquarium Visitor Engagement with an Ocean Plastics Exhibit: Effects on Self-Reported Intended Single-Use Plastic Reductions and Plastic-Related Environmental Stewardship Actions" (2021). [dataset]. https://doi.org/10.15760/esm-data.3