NPS focus group and survey

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Social Science Program

Expedited Approval for NPS- Sponsored Public Surveys
1.

Project Title ⎢
Submission Date:

2.

Abstract:

Assessing African American Attitudes Towards the Civil War,
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

The proposed project assesses the metro-Atlanta African American community’s perspectives
on the Civil War and how it should be interpreted at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield
Park (near Atlanta.).The sesquicentennial of the Civil War begins in 2011, and to observe it
the NPS has chosen the theme “From the Civil War to Civil Rights.” Insights into how
traditional civil rights communities would like to see this theme interpreted are lacking. The
proposed focus groups will provide these insights to park managers.
(not to exceed 150 words)

3.

Principal Investigator Contact Information
First Name:
Title:

Affiliation:
Street Address:

City:

4.

Last Name:

Hermina

Glass-Avery

Associate Director, Center for the Study of
the Civil War Era
Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Road, MD 2201, Bld 22,
Rm 3014
Kennesaw

Phone:

678-797-2551

Email:

[email protected]

State:

GA

Zip code:

30144-5591

Fax:

Park or Program Liaison Contact Information
First Name:

Last Name:

Stanley

Title:

Superintendent

Park:

Kennesaw Mountain NBP

Bond

Park
Office/Division:
Street Address:
City:

Dec. 17, 2009

905 Kennesaw Mountain Drive
Kennesaw

Phone:

770-427-4686 x 223

Email:

[email protected]

State:
Fax:

GA

Zip code:

770-528-8399

30152

Project Information
5.

Park(s) For Which Research
is to be Conducted:

6.

Survey Dates:

7.

Type of Information Collection Instrument (Check ALL that Apply)

8.

‰

Mail- Back
Questionnaire

‰

Other (explain)

Survey Justification:
(Use as much space as
needed; if necessary include
additional explanation on a
separate page.)

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

03/01/2010

‰

(mm/dd/yyyy)

On- Site
Questionnaire

‰

to

Face- toFace
Interview

06/31/2010

‰

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Telephone
Survey

XX Focus
Groups

Social science research in support of park planning and management is mandated
in the NPS Management Policies 2006 (Section 8.11.1, “Social Science Studies”).
The NPS pursues a policy that facilitates social science studies in support of the
NPS mission to protect resources and enhance the enjoyment of present and future
generations (National Park Service Act of 1916, 38 Stat 535, 16 USC 1, et seq.).
NPS policy mandates that social science research will be used to provide an
understanding of park visitors, the non-visiting public, gateway communities and
regions, and human interactions with park resources. Such studies are needed to
provide a scientific basis for park planning, development, operations,
management, education, and interpretive activities.
The proposed project assesses the metro-Atlanta African American community’s
perspectives on the Civil War and how it should be interpreted at Kennesaw
Mountain National Battlefield Park (KEMO). The sesquicentennial of the Civil
War begins in 2011, and to observe it the NPS has adopted the theme “From the
Civil War to Civil Rights.” However, insights into how traditional civil rights
communities would like to see this theme interpreted are lacking. The proposed
focus groups will provide these insights to park managers.
While African and African American slaves were some of the groups most
affected by the Civil War, their story is often left out of interpretation at Civil War
battlefield sites such as KEMO. This issue was recognized by Congress, and in
2000 language was placed in the NPS legislation that required Civil War parks to
interpret the broader causes and consequences of the Civil War. Specifically, “…
the unique role that the institution of slavery played in causing the Civil War” was
spelled out in this legislation. The NPS also has pressed for greater interaction and
relevance with traditionally underserved populations, and this category includes
the African American community. In order to fulfill these mandates, KEMO
needs to understand the local African American community’s perspectives on the
Civil War and how African Americans feel these perspectives should be
interpreted to the broader public. The proposed focus groups will give park
managers insights on how to incorporate the African American voice into park
interpretation.
Many studies have shown that African Americans and whites differ substantially
in their perceptions of park environments and in their interests in park
management issues, especially those dealing with natural resources (Gramann,
1996). However, there is less research on racial differences in preferences and
perceptions of historical sites. An argument frequently advanced is that historical
parks, such as Civil War battlefields, that are strongly connected to the African
American experience could attract more African American visitors if these
connections were emphasized in park interpretation. The proposed focus groups
will provide information that will help develop such an emphasis for one Civil
War park.

Gramann, J. 1996. Ethnicity, Race, and Outdoor Recreation: A Review of Trends,
Policy, and Research. Misc. Paper R-96-1. Washington, D.C. U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers.
9.

Survey Methodology: (Use
as much space as needed; if
necessary include
additional explanation on a
separate page.)

(a) Respondent universe:
Five African American community organizations in the metropolitan Atlanta area
will assist the park in recruiting focus group participants. These organizations are:
1. Cobb County NAACP
2. Atlanta University Center Consortium (a group of Historically Black
Colleges and Universities)
3. Kennesaw State University African American Student Alliance
4. Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network
5. Participants from the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical
Park/Ebenezer Baptist Church.
(b) Sampling plan/procedures:
Recruiting will be done through presentations to each community organization,
followed by an invitation letter to individuals who express an interest in
participating.. The five focus groups will consist of 8 to 10 participants, with one
focus group from each of the 5 community organizations. Respondents will not be
required to fill out any form or do any type of paperwork except give their names
and contact information. Each focus group should last 2 hours.
(c) Instrument administration:
All focus groups will be facilitated by Hermina Glass-Avery of Kennesaw State
University. Ms Glass-Avery is familiar with the civil rights community that the
focus groups are accessing. The discussions will be recorded, and a student intern
will take notes. In addition, major points and themes will be written by the
facilitator on a flip chart so focus group participants will be able to see a record of
the discussion. The focus groups will be held at locations and on dates and times
convenient to the participants. Light refreshments will be served, but no other
incentives will be offered. The following script of open-ended questions will
guide the focus group discussion
Introduction
“Thank you for participating in this discussion. The staff at Kennesaw Mountain
National Battlefield Park and Kennesaw State University are interested in your
opinions about the Civil War and how African American perspectives on the War,
slavery, and the Civil Rights movement should be presented to the public. This
information will help the park by making sure that African Americans’ views are
represented in the upcoming observation of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War,
which will take place from 2011 to 2015. So what we hear from you today will
help shape Civil War interpretation at the park for the next several years.
“This session should last about 2 hours, and has been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The
Office of Management and Budget control number and expiration date are
available at your request. As mentioned in the letter we sent you, I’ll be recording
the discussion so that I can write a report for the park. However, your comments
are voluntary. Your names will not be included in the report, and your identity
will not be linked in any way to your answers..
“We’d like to hear everything you have to say, so I’ll ask you to speak one at a
time. Finally, there are no right or wrong answers. All of your comments will be
helpful to the park as it develops its interpretive programs. Does anyone have any
questions before we start?”

Questions
1. Before we start recording, let’s go around the room and have everyone
introduce themselves and briefly tell us why you were interested in
participating in this discussion. [Topic Area 1, Individual
Characteristics]
2. What are your feelings or attitudes about the American Civil War? [Topic
Area 1, Individual Characteristics]
3. Do you see the Civil War as part of the larger struggle for Civil Rights?
[Topic Area 1, Individual Characteristics]
4 Have you ever visited a Civil War battlefield, such as Kennesaw
Mountain, or any other location associated with the Civil War? [Topic
Area 3, Individual Activities and Uses of Park Resources]

5 What aspects of a Civil War site, such as Kennesaw Mountain, are (or
would be) important to you? [Topic Area 6. Individual Perceptions of
their Park Experiences]
Probes: What did (would) you find most interesting about the stories or
history told at the site?
What didn’t (wouldn’t) you like about the way the story of the
Civil War was told at the site?
Is there anything that could improve the interpretation at this or
other Civil War sites?
6 If you visited Kennesaw Mountain or another Civil War site today, what
would be your expectations regarding the historical and cultural
interpretation of the American Civil War? [Topic Area 7, Individual
Opinions on Park Management]
(d) Expected response rate/confidence levels:

It is expected that each focus group will include 8 - 10 participants. To recruit 4050 participants total, we expect to contact up to 70 individuals, using names
supplied by the 5 community organizations. Because this study design is
qualitative and uses purposive samples selected from targeted groups, there is no
statistical basis for generalizing the findings to all visitors. Therefore, response
rates and confidence levels/intervals do not present the same concerns as they do
in quantitative studies employing inferential statistical analysis. However,
findings will provide the park interpretive staff with insights on issues pertaining
to the inclusion of African American views on the Civil War.
(e) Strategies for dealing with potential non- response bias:
Since this is focus group research, non-response bias is not an issue
(f) Description of any pre- testing and peer review of the methods and/or
instrument (recommended):

The instrument was developed by evaluation professionals at Kennesaw State
University with input from staff at KEMO and the NPS Social Science Division.

10.

Total Number of
Initial Contacts |
Expected Respondents:

70

50

11.

Estimated Time to
Complete Initial
Contact |
Instrument (mins.):

2

120

12.

Total
Burden
Hours:

102

13.

Reporting Plan:

Once the focus groups have been completed, Kennesaw State University will
create a written report based upon the focus group responses. The report, which
will be submitted to NPS for review, will describe the methodology used and
present the findings. The analysis will include raw data such as direct statements
from participants, descriptive statements, comments and interpretation of the data,
including trends and patterns, consistency of responses, and recommendations to
inform the interpretive development process. A copy of the report will be
archived by the NPS Social Science Division in its Social Science Studies
Collection..

United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
905 Kennesaw Mountain Drive
Kennesaw, GA 30152
(770) 427-4686
(770) 528-8399 FAX

IN REPLY REFER TO:

(KEMO)
Date
Potential Participant Name
Potential Participant Address
Potential Participant City, State, Zip Code
Dear Potential Participant (by name):
With the advent of the Civil War sesquicentennial, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is
planning to expand its interpretive focus of the Civil War to more fully include the African American
story. The Civil War was a pivotal event in the history of the United States and African Americans were
one of the groups most affected by the conduct and outcome of the war.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and Kennesaw State University are developing a set of
focus groups to examine the African American community’s attitude towards the Civil War, aspects that
might attract African Americans to a Civil War park, and the types of interpretive information that might
interest African Americans. I am looking for individuals to participate in these African American Civil
War discussion groups. Your input will help shape Civil War interpretation at Kennesaw Mountain
National Battlefield Park for the next several years.
This discussion group will be held at (location to be determined for the convenience of focus group members)
and will last about two hours. We would like to hold the meeting on (date and time to be determined). Light
refreshments will be served.
Are you willing to participate in our African American Civil War focus group? If so please contact Hermina
Glass-Avery at 678-797-2551. If you have any questions concerning this meeting, please feel free to call me
during office hours (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). Included with this letter is a brochure about Kennesaw Mountain
National Battlefield Park and further information can be found at www.nps.gov/kemo/. Even if you cannot
participate in the discussion group, we would appreciate any input that you can give us.
Thank you in advance for your help with this project and I look forward to hearing your perspective on the Civil
War.
Sincerely,

Stanley Bond
Superintendent

Additional Information Provided upon Request
OMB control number:
Expiration date:
Person collecting and analyzing information:

(Not yet assigned)
(Not yet assigned)
Hermina Glass-Avery
Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Road, MD 2201,
Bldg. 22, Room 104
Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591
Phone: (678) 797-2251
E-mail: [email protected]

The Paperwork Reduction Act requires approval of all federal government surveys by the
Office of Management and Budget. This survey has been approved under this Act. This
focus group will last two hours. Your responses to questions are voluntary. No action
may be taken against you for not answering. Your name will not appear in the report or
be associated in any way with your answers. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and
a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number. You may direct comments on the amount of time
required for your participation, or any other aspect of this focus group, to:
Stanley Bond, Superintendent
Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park
905 Kennesaw Mountain Drive
Kennesaw, GA 30152
Phone: (770) 427,4686, extension 223
E-mail: [email protected]