• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.143-152
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• 2006

The purposes of this study were to provide basic visitor information for effective park management and to understand visitors' perception about the interpretive media which is utilized as a self-guide environmental interpretation in Weolchusan National Park. To accomplish the purposes of study, a questionnaire survey was chosen and the 196 valid samples among them were analyzed. Among who used the interpretive media, the largest proportion used the information board of park use-resources, and the usage rate of interpretive label of woody plant, interpretive sign of cultural asset, and self-guide tour were shown to be relatively high. However, the park brochures(map), bulletin boards, park web sites, LED sign, and visitor center exhibits were evaluated that use efficiency was low. In the analysis of importance-performance, visitors were perceiving the importance of all form of interpretive media greatly. The performance of interpretive media was also evaluated as affirmative.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.159-169
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• 2006

Interpretive sign is a communication medium that is often used in self-guided interpretation. Understanding interpretive signs and their users is important to maximize the effectiveness of interpretation. This study evaluated design attributes of interpretive signs by visitor's personal characteristics and visiting patterns using Importance-Performance Analysis(IPA). Data were collected from August to September of 2003 at the self-guided trail in Naejangsan National Park, Korea. Visitors using the trail participated in a questionnaire survey, and a total of 276 subiects was used for data analysis. The IPA results showed that female(23.3%) than male(13.3%), low age group(43.3%) than middle(0.0%) and high age group(0.0%), higher education group(36.7%) than lower education group(0.0%), medium size group(33.3%) than large(10.0%) or small group(16.7%), 'with child' group(66.7%) than 'without child' group(20.0%) rated higher importance and lower performance on more design attributes of the interpretive signs. These groups also showed higher rate of 'Concentrate Here(CH)' attributes that require urgent improvement. The 'with child' group showed the especially high rate of 'CH' attributes. The results suggest that interpretive signs need to be designed considering diverse user groups. It is also necessary to develop some standardized items of the sign design attributes for more efficient and reliable implementation of IPA and other evaluative works.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.9-19
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• 2006

This study was conducted on the visitors regarding their usage and evaluation state of the interpretive media which is utilized as a self-guide environment interpretation for the purpose of accumulating basic data for the park management. A questionnaire survey was chosen and the 275 valid samples among them were analyzed. The socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics of the visitors turned out to be similar with the results from another visitor survey in the same site. Among those who used the interpretive media, the largest proportion(77%) used the information board resources of the park; the usage rate of interpretive labels of woody plants, interpretive signs of cultural assets, and LED signs were shown to be relatively high. The usage of park brochures, park web sites, visitor center exhibits, and bulletin boards were less than 40% each. Visitors were asked to evaluate the importance and performance of the nine interpretive medias using a Likert Scale whose value ranges from one to five. The result recorded averaged above 4, which proved that the respondents were perceiving the importance of all forms of interpretive media greatly. The performance of interpretive media was also evaluated as affirmative, except the visitor center exhibits.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.655-674
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• 2023

This study examined whether the "self-guided interpretation" media in the Yeoncheon area of the Hantangang River UNESCO Geopark are intelligible for visitors. Accordingly, two on-site investigations were conducted in the Hantangang River Global Geopark in September and November 2022. The Yeoncheon area, known for its diverse geological features and the era of geological attraction formation, was selected for analysis. We analyzed the readability levels, graphic characteristics, and alignment with science curriculum of the interpretive media specific to geological sites among a total of 36 self-guided interpretive media in the Yeoncheon area. Results indicated that information boards, primarily offering guidance on geological attractions, were the most prevalent type of interpretive media in the Yeoncheon area. The quantity of text in explanatory media surpassed that of a 12^th-grade science textbook. The average vocabulary grade was similar to that of 11^th- and 12^th-grade science textbooks, with somewhat reduced readability due to a high occurrence of complex sentences. Predominant graphic types included illustrative photographs, aiding comprehension of the geological formation process through multi-structure graphics. Regarding scientific terms used in the interpretive media, 86.3% of the terms were within the "Solid Earth" section of the 2015 revised curriculum, with the majority being at the 4^th-grade level. The 11^th-grade optional curriculum terms comprised the second largest portion, and 13.7% of all science terms were from outside the curriculum. Notably, variations in the scientific terminology's complexity was based on geological attractions. Specifically, the terminology level on the homepage tended to be generally higher than that on information boards. Through these findings, specific factors impeding visitor comprehension of geological attractions in the Yeoncheon area, based on the interpretation medium, were identified. We suggest further research to effect improvements in self-guided interpretation media, fostering geological resource education for general visitors and anticipating advancements in geology education.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.94 no.6
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• pp.362-369
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• 2005

Readability, an indicator measuring the easiness of reading letters, is an important element that determines the communicative effectiveness of self-guided signs. This study examined how the letter design elements of self-guided signs influence on readability to provide basic information for more effective sign designs. Data were collected from August to November of 2003 at a self-guided trail of Naejangsan National Park, Korea. A total of 375 subjects participated in the questionnaire survey, and 94.7% of them were used for data analysis. Among the total of 19 attributes, five attributes such as number of letters, number of type styles, ratio of picture area on the signs, space between letters, type size influenced on readability. These five attributes explained 50.0% of the variation in readability. The number of letters was the most influential attributes on readability, followed by the number of type styles, ratio of picture area on the signs, space between letters, and type size. The effectiveness of signs may be efficiently increased by managing these five major attributes with more concern.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.95 no.1
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• pp.12-22
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• 2006

Understanding the readability of texts in signs is necessary to enhance the communication effectiveness of the self-guided interpretive signs. This study compared signs' readability by different text attributes. A total of 1391 respondents participated in the questionnaire survey at the 'Neodeolgeong' area in Mudeung-Mountain Provincial Park during September-November of 2004. This study found that 'Hy Gyunmyungjo' in letter style, 'both-side' in letter justification, 190% (HWP 2002) in space between lines, 10 (HWP 2002) in space between letters, and 25 in the number of letters in a line showed the highest readability in text size 58 point, respectively. This study illustrated an example of an interpretive sign made up by combing the five text attributes which show the highest readability. This study also discussed the interpretive signs' text design and future research questions.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.642-649
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• 2013

This study evaluated the efficacy of information and self-interpretive media that provide information on park environment using self-administered visitor survey to the Dadohaehaesang National Park, Korea. Excluding missing and unreliable responses, 205 valid responses were used for the analysis. Socioeconomic status and visiting behavior of the visitors to the Dadohaehaesang National Park were similar to those to other Korean national parks. Results showed that, of the self-interpretive media, 'Information board of park use and resources' were most frequently used (87.7%), followed by 'Interpretive label of woody plant,' and 'Bulletin boards for information and enlightenment.' 'Guided interpretation' was used less than 40% of the visitors. Visitors also highly rated the importance of the media (higher than 4.0 on average out of 5 point Liker scale question). The average performance rate was 3.82, suggesting that visitors were satisfied on the self-interpretive media. Visitors responded that 'Information board of park use and resources' and 'Bulletin boards for information and enlightenment' were not useful and, therefore, should be amended and managed to improve the self-interpretability of the media.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.473-481
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• 2006

Readability, an indicator measuring the easiness of reading letters, has been known an important element that determines the communicative effectiveness of the self-guided interpretive signs. However, there are few studies to find out how the readability of the signs influence visitor's attraction and reading behavior of interpretive signs. This study examined the relationship between readability of interpretive signs and attraction, preferences, and intent to recommend reading signs to others. Data were collected from August to November of 2003 at a self-guided trail of Naejangsan National Park, Korea. 350 out of 375 responses from subjects who participated in the questionnaire survey were usable. Results showed that readability of the signs is related with the attraction, preferences, and intention of recommending reading signs to others. The higher the readability of the signs were, the higher the attraction, preferences, and intention of recommending reading signs were. Attraction and preferences were also positively related with intention of recommending reading signs. Preferences better explained intention of recommending reading signs than readability and attraction. These findings suggest that enhancing readability of the signs may lead to higher participation in reading them.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Community Living Science Conference
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• 2009.09a
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• pp.84-84
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• 2009

농촌관광은 농촌마을을 중심으로 활성화가 되어야하며 이를 매개로 하여 농촌주민의 농외 소득증대와 더불어 농촌 삶의 질을 높일 수 있다. 최근에 이르러 농촌관광의 성패는 그 마을이 가진 잠재적 어메니티 자원뿐만 아니라 이러한 잠재자원을 활용하여 마을을 성공적으로 운영할 인적자원이 보다 중요한 요인으로 인식되고 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 농촌관광마을의 해설 및 체험지도 인력을 대상으로 활동특성 현황을 파악하고자 마을단위로 조사하여 분석하였다. 정부가 지원한 마을 중 가장 많은 부분을 차지하는 녹색농촌체험마을(농림수산식품부), 농촌전통테마마을(농촌진흥청)은 2009년까지 총 612개소이나 이 중 인력기반이 형성되었을 것으로 판단되는 2007년까지 선정된 농촌관광마을 403개 중 100개 마을을 무작위로 선정하였다. 조사대상은 마을의 추진위원장 중심으로 리더 100명, 추진위원장 추천의 마을해설 및 체험지도 인력 명단에서 2~4명 정도, 총 300명을 자기기입식 및 직접면접 조사를 병행하여 조사 분석하였다. 해설 및 체험지도자 활용유형을 생태해설, 생활문화, 농업기술, 전통놀이/문화, 전통 음식, 전통공예, 지역설화로 분류하였으며, 지도방법은 직접시현(체험)과 간접시현(안내/해설)으로 구분하여 분석을 실시하였다. 마을에서 활동하고 있는 체험지도 인력은 평균 6.6명이었고, 마을해설에 참여하는 내부인력은 평균 3.2명, 외부인력은 0.8명이었으며, 체험지도에 참여하는 내부인력은 평균 4.2명, 외부인력은 1명으로 나타나 마을해설보다는 체험지도에 외부인력을 더 활용하는 것으로 나타났다. 이렇게 마을에서 활동하고 있는 해설 및 체험지도인력들에 대해 농촌관광마을 리더들은 부족하다는 의견이 49%로 과반수 정도를 차지하여 농촌체험지도를 위한 인력이 부족하다고 판단하는 것으로 나타났다. 마을해설이나 체험지도에 참여하는 사람들의 체험지도 형태는 주로 새로운 지식을 스스로 공부하여 해설하는 경우가 45.5%, 전문화된 개설이 가능한 비율이 19.9%, 안내만 함 19.5%, 시연만 함 15.2%로서 대부분이 지도인력들이 스스로 해설에 적극적으로 참여하고 있었다. 또한 체험거리 한두 가지를 전문적으로 지도하는 비율(41.2%)보다 여러 가지를 종합적으로 지도하는 비율이 58.8%로 높게 나타나 한 사람이 몇 가지를 동시에 담당하여 지도하는 체험지도에 대한 전문성 확보가 미흡한 것으로 보인다. 이와 같이 본 연구에서 농촌관광마을의 인적자원 활용 현황을 살펴보고, 마을 해설사의 인적자원의 잠재성을 활용 농촌마을의 발전 동력을 찾고자 함에 연구에 의의가 있다.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.123-140
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• 2019

This study analyzed problems of interpretive signs along Eorimok-Yeongsil Trail on Mt. Hallasan National Park, focusing on factors of distracting visitor's attention from reading and understanding the signs. Eorimok-Yeongsil Trail has a total of 86 signs, and according to their purpose and content, they are classified into thirteen general signs, sixteen location signs, nine safety signs and forty-eight interpretive signs. Interpretive signs provide visitors with information and explanations about the nature and human resources of Mt. Hallasan as well as enhancing the opportunity for self-guided interpretation. The contents of interpretive signs of Eorimok-Yeongsil Trail are composed of landscapes, flora and fauna, topography, geology, history and culture, of which 70.8% of the total are related to plants and animals. Interpretive signs on the Eorimok-Yeongsil Trail do not attract visitors' attention because of the low readability, inappropriate locations and frequent errors in translation from Korean into other languages. The causes of low readability of interpretive signs include thirty-six physically damaged and faded signs, twenty-two improper font sizes and misuse of color schemes and five unclear description signs. The reasons for the incorrect locations include twenty-two long distances from the trails, twenty-one inadequate heights and fifteen inconsistencies in descriptions and locations. Problems with English use include eight grammar and spelling errors, twenty-one incorrect translations, and twenty-six English names missing.