Evaluación del impacto social del Oceanogràfic de València en sus visitantesestudio piloto

Abstract

In this paper we intend to make a first approach to the evaluation of the social impact on the visitors of the Oceanogràfic. For this, a longitudinal survey study has been carried out. A questionnaire has been designed for the collection of information that includes knowledge about biodiversity and conservation of the marine environment, attitudes towards the marine environment and its conservation, influence of the actions of protection and conservation of the marine environment and contributions of Oceanogràfic to the improvement of the marine environment. This instrument has been applied at the time prior to the visit to Oceanographic and at the time after the visit. The participants in this pilot study are 122 people between 13 and 76 years old, selected from the visitors to Oceanogràfic. Descriptive statistics and significance tests have been performed for related samples (t-test and Wilcoxon test). The results indicate that the knowledge, attitudes and influence of the actions of protection and conservation of the marine environment are increased between the average scores in the moments before and after the visit. These differences are statistically significant with different effect sizes. The present study provides empirical evidence to the importance of aquariums in the implementation of socio-environmental education. As conclusions, we highlight the relevant role that Social Education plays as a facilitator and promoter of this education and the need for awareness and training in this regard.