Qualitative Methods for Studying Learning Through Gameplay at Museums and Science Centers

Due to the lack of research on games and learning in museums, there exists few established methods and strategies to best capture learning through gameplay in public informal learning environments. This makes research of this kind doubly complex given numerous other variables already to consider, particularly in acknowledging that learners at museums range broadly in age, gender, race and ethnicity, ability, and socio-economic status, along with their motivations for visiting in the first place. For our study at the Saint Louis Science Center, we observed player interaction with three games for learning science. In preparing for and conducting this study, we encountered several challenges unique to doing research in a public setting. We will draw from our experience running this study to highlight effective research methods for studying how people learn through gameplay in public informal learning environments.