Appendix A: Soundscape Interview Guide
Introductory Script for Soundscape Survey
Hello. I am __________ (name) and am working for the University of Montana in cooperation with Yellowstone National Park. We are doing a survey of visitors stopping at Old Faithful Geyser and Snow Lodge. Would you be willing to answer some questions?
Is it okay if I record this interview? This will allow me to be sure that I accurately report the responses of everyone who takes part in the survey.
If YES, Thank you very much. If you want me to turn off the recorder at any time, please tell me.
If NO, that’s fine, I’ll write your answers down as we go through the interview.
The Paperwork Reduction Act requires approval of all federal government surveys by the Office of Management and Budget. This interview has been approved under this Act. The Office of Management and Budget control number and expiration date is available at your request. Additional information about this survey and its approval is available at your request.* The questions in this interview will take about 30 minutes to complete. All of your answers are voluntary and anonymous.
Thank you.
*Additional Information Provided upon Request.
OMB Approval number:
Expiration Date:
Person Collecting and Analyzing Information: Dr. Wayne Freimund
Department of Society and Conservation
College of Forestry and Conservation
University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 243-5184
16 U.S.C. 1a-7 authorizes collection of this information. This information will be used by park managers to better serve the public. Response to this request is voluntary and anonymous. No action may be taken against you for refusing to supply the information requested. No personal data will be recorded.
You may direct comments on the number of minutes required to respond, or on any other aspect of this survey to:
John Sacklin
Yellowstone National Park
307-344-2020
Interview Guide
Visitor Characteristics
1. How often do you visit National Parks?
How often have you visited Yellowstone National Park?
How often have you visited in winter?
How did you enter the park today? (mode of transport)
What is the primary purpose of your visit today? (skiing, snowmobiling, watching wildlife, snow coach ride, etc.)
Undirected Broad Experience Questions
What attracted you to visit Yellowstone during the winter?
Could you describe what your visit was like today?
Is there anything that really added to your experience today? Please explain.
Is there anything that detracted from your experience today? Please explain.
More Directive Sound Questions
Intro: The questions I’ve just asked you dealt with your general experience with National Parks and in Yellowstone. The following questions I want to ask you are more specific to issues of sounds within Yellowstone.
How important are the sounds of the park to you during your visit?
Would you describe what the sounds of the park were today?
When did you begin to notice the sounds of the park?
Could you describe the experience of noticing the sounds of the park? What is that like?
Was there a single sound experience, whether human or natural, that distinctly affected you or that really stands out in your experience today?
Natural Sounds
Are there certain times during your park experience when natural sounds are important for your experience? (e.g., first entering the park, when out of a vehicle, in the backcountry, on a hiking trail, at Old Faithful, etc.) Why?
What does Yellowstone sound like in winter?
What does a geyser sound like?
Are there other distinctive natural sounds that are important to you here in Yellowstone?
How important do you think natural sounds are to enjoying your national park experience?
What is important to you about the natural sounds of the park?
If your ability to hear natural sounds were diminished, would it detract from, add to, or have no effect on your experience of Yellowstone?
If “add to,” could you explain your answer?
If “detract from,” could you explain your answer?
If “no effect,” could you explain your answer?
Do you feel that the National Park Service should preserve and protect natural sounds and restore natural sound conditions?
If yes, can you explain your answer?
If no, can you explain your answer?
Mechanical and Human Sounds
Are there any human-caused sounds that have positively affected your visit? Explain
Are there any human-caused sounds that have negatively affected your visit? Explain.
How do you feel about sounds caused by the different types of vehicles used within the park?
More generally, how do you feel about the different types of vehicles used within the park?
Are there certain places in the park where you feel the sounds of motorized vehicles are acceptable? Explain.
Are there any places in the park where you feel the sounds of motorized vehicles are not acceptable? Explain.
Ideal Winter Visit
What would the park sound like in your ideal winter visit?
Did you have this experience? Why or why not?
Is this type of experience realistic? Why or why not?
What suggestions would you have for creating a park visit that aligns more closely with your ideal?
Would you support or oppose a management policy that restricts motorized visitor access in order to ensure that YNP provides opportunities to experience natural sounds? Explain.
About Your Trip
What type of group were you with on the trip when you were interviewed? (check all that apply).
alone
family
friends
outfitter/guide group
organization or club (name of organization/club)___________________________________
2. Which of the following best describes your primary mode of transportation while you were within Yellowstone National Park?
Primary Transportation
snowmobile
cross-country skis
snowshoes
snowcoach
3. Will you engage in the following activities during your visit to Yellowstone National Park? (please circle yes or no for each activity)
a. snowmobiling YES NO
b. cross-country skiing YES NO
c. snowshoeing YES NO
d. snowcoach touring YES NO
4. During your visit to the Yellowstone area, how many days will you recreate within Yellowstone National Park? ________________
5. While on your trip to the Yellowstone area, please state the number of days you will also do the following activities in other areas (such as nearby National Forest lands or National Parks)? If none, please put “0” (zero):
Activity Number of days
snowmobile _____
cross-country ski _____
down-hill ski _____
snowshoe _____
About You
6. What is your gender? (check one) Female Male
7. What is your age? _________________
8. What is the highest level of education you have completed? (check one box)
8th grade or less
Some high school
High school graduate or GED
Some college, business or trade school
College graduate
Some graduate school
Master's, doctoral or professional degree
9. In which of the following kinds of places did you spend the most time while growing up (to age 18)? (check one box)
On a farm or ranch
Rural or small town [under 1,000 population]
Town [1,000 - 5,000 population]
Small city [5,000 - 50,000 population]
Medium city [50,000 - 1 million population]
Major city or metropolitan area [over 1 million population]
10. In what type of community do you now live? (check one box)
On a farm or ranch
Rural or small town [under 1,000 population]
Town [1,000 - 5,000 population]
Small city [5,000 - 50,000 population]
Medium city [50,000 - 1 million population]
Major city or metropolitan area [over 1 million population]
11. What is your approximate total household income before taxes?
(check one box)
Less than $ 10,000 $ 50,000 - $ 74,999
$ 10,000 - $ 14,999 $ 75,000 - $ 99,999
$ 15,000 - $ 24,999 $ 100,000 - $ 149,999
$ 25,000 - $ 34,999 $ 150,000 - $ 199,999
$ 35,000 - $ 49,999 $ 200,000 or more
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | Visitor Characteristics |
| Author | Shelley Walker Saxen |
| Last Modified By | Dave Anderson |
| File Modified | 2007-09-15 |
| File Created | 2007-09-14 |