Identifying Non-traditional Park Visitor Needs at Bandelier National Monument

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:

Identifying Non-traditional Park Visitor Needs at Bandelier National
Monument, New Mexico.
The Northern Arizona University Social Research Laboratory will examine the values,
beliefs, and attitudes of under-served populations in Northern New Mexico. This project will
ensure that managers at Bandelier National Monument and other parks understand how to
make parks more relevant to under-served groups in New Mexico, including Pueblo Indians
and Hispanic Americans. It will increase the park’s capacity to implement meaningful
outreach projects between 2008-2016. These projects will connect New Mexicans, especially
those who are not current park visitors, to their national parks. Data gathered during this
project will provide useful information for other park units within New Mexico.
(not to exceed 150 words)

3.

Principal Investigator Contact Information
First Name:
Title:

Affiliation:
Street Address:
City:
Phone:
Email:
4.

Last Name:

Frederic

Solop

Senior Scientist, Social Research
Laboratory
Northern Arizona University
PO Box 15301
Flagstaff
(928) 523-3135

State:
Fax:

AZ

Zip code:

86011

(928) 523-1754

[email protected]

Park or Program Liaison Contact Information
First Name:

Last Name:

Lynne

Title:

Chief of Interpretation

Park:

Bandelier National Monument

Dominy

Park
Office/Division:
Street Address:
City:
Phone:
Email:

15 Entrance Road
Los Alamos
(505) 672-3861 x511
[email protected]

State:
Fax:

NM

Zip code:

(505) 672-9607

87544

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.)

Bandelier National Monument
08/01/2008

‰

(mm/dd/yyyy)

On-Site
Questionnaire

‰

to

Face-toFace
Interview

09/30/08

‰

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Telephone
Survey

‰

Focus
Groups

Legal Justification: The National Park Service Act of 1916, 38 Stat 535, 16
USC 1, et seq., requires that the National Park Service (NPS) preserve the
National Parks for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
At the field level, this means resource preservation, public education, facility
maintenance and operation, and physical developments that are necessary
for public use, health, and safety. Allocation of funding is to be roughly in
proportion to the seasonally adjusted volume of use (P. L. 88-578, Sect. 6)
and in consideration of visitor characteristics and activities for determining
carrying capacity (92 Stat. 3467; P. L. 95-625, Sect. 604 11/10/78). Other
federal rules (National Environmental Policy Act, 1969 and NPS guidelines)
require data on visitors and visitor use to be incorporated into each park’s
general management plan.
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.
Management Justification: A new strategic management plan is now being
formulated for Bandelier National Monument. Such management plans are required
for all units of the National Park System and must be based on data concerning park
use and users. This proposed study will help develop such baseline information. It
will help the park and its partners better understand how under-served populations
(including Pueblo Indians and Hispanic Americans) living in northern New Mexico
perceive national park lands and their interest in visiting Bandelier National
Monument. This research will result in a qualitative understanding of the cultural
needs, interests, and perceptions of under-served populations living near the park.
Researchers will also advise park managers on ways to update the unit’s strategic
plan to help diversify the park’s visitor base.
Brief Literature Review Defining Project Need
Very little research has been compiled about the visitor population at Bandelier
National Monument. Managerial decision-making today is informed by a VSP
visitor study conducted in the summer of 1995 (Patterson, 1996). The visitor study
suggests that 94 percent of Bandelier National Monument visitors reside in the
United States. Less than one-quarter of visitors (21%) reside in New Mexico. The
visitor population is largely white, non-Hispanic (90%). Eight percent of the visitor
population is Hispanic and two percent is Native American. Bandelier managers
believe the park unit has the capacity to increase the proportion of Hispanics and

Native Americans visiting the national monument. The proposed research is part of
this outreach effort, focusing on these two potential visitor populations to better
understand their expectations and opinions.
Patterson, Mark A. 1996. “Bandelier National Monument Visitor Study: Summer
1995,” University of Idaho, Visitor Services Project #94, (May), located at
.
9.

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

(a) Respondent universe:
The respondent universe consists of Pueblo people and Hispanic Americans living
within a 75-mile radius of Bandelier National Monument. The first phase of this
research will consist of personal interviews (approximately 20) and 3 focus groups
conducted with members of pueblos of northern New Mexico. Focus group
participants will be recruited from Pojoaque Pueblo, Nambe Pueblo, San Ildefonso
Pueblo, San Juan Pueblo, Santa Clara Pueblo, Tesuque Pueblo, Cochiti Pueblo,
Santo Domingo Pueblo, San Felipe Pueblo, and Zuni Pueblo. The interviews and
focus group will take place in the pueblos. The second phase of this research will
include personal interviews (approximately 20) and 3 focus groups with Land Grant
Hispanic Americans living in areas neighboring Bandelier National Monument.
Interviews and focus groups will take place in local community centers.
(b) Sampling plan/procedures:
The sampling plan utilizes a snowball sampling technique to identify Pueblo
members and Hispanic Americans to participate in this study. Researchers will
proceed by first contacting key stakeholders living within the area being studied
and inviting them to participate in personal interviews. Key stakeholders for the
interviews will include tribal elders and tribal officials living within Pueblo
communities; Hispanic religious leaders, community leaders, and government
officials. Interviewees will be asked to recommend people from their respective
communities to participate in focus groups organized by the researchers. Incentives
will be used to encourage participation in this study. Following OMB guidelines,
focus group participants will be offered a $50 incentive for their time, and personal
interviewees will be offered a $35 incentive.
(c) Instrument administration:
Interviews and focus groups will be conducted within a bilingual environment,
including the Tewa, Keres, and Zuni languages for the Pueblo research, and
Spanish for research with Hispanic American. To respect the cultural norms of the
pueblo and Hispanic communities, focus groups participants will be invited to
participate in the groups by community leaders and liaisons. Interviews will be
conducted in person semi-structured in nature, beginning with a defined protocol of
questions and allowing for researchers to ask follow-up questions based on
responses from those being interviewed. Each interview is expected to take no
longer than one hour to complete. The focus groups will bring 10-12 people
together for a 2 hour conversation directed by a trained facilitator. Focus group
conversations will be structured by a tightly scripted interview protocol. With the
consent of focus group participants, the focus groups will be audio recorded and
transcribed at a later point in time.
The research being proposed will be administered with two unique populations:
indigenous Pueblo people and Land Grant Hispanics (Spanish Americans) living in
northern New Mexico. Each of these communities has its own unique cultural
traditions, institutions, and ways of looking at the world. The uniqueness of these
communities is especially highlighted working with the indigenous Pueblo people
who subscribe to a non-Western belief system. In order to effectively pursue the
stated research goals, the research protocols were designed to be culturally sensitive
and respectful of local traditions. For example, the Pueblo communities do not
adhere to the western social science assumption that the opinions of all members of
the community are of equal value. In fact, tribal members defer to elders and

governing leaders to speak for the communities. Without respecting this indigenous
belief system in the research protocol, it would not be possible to meet the project
goals and could potentially alienate participants. For this reason, some questions in
the focus group script for the Pueblos ask participants to speak for their community
as a whole, rather than for themselves as individuals.
The research protocols have been shared with leaders of the San Ildefonso
(Tewa speaking) and Cochiti (Keres speaking) Pueblo communities. After
reviewing the protocols, these leaders have given support for approaching
the research questions as they are presented here.
(d) Expected response rate/confidence levels:

It is expected that there will be approximately 100 focus group participants and 40
interview participants, with the numbers about equally split between the Pueblo and
Hispanic American communities. The 6 focus groups will include 10-17
participants each. 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 members of the populations being sampled. Therefore, response
rates and confidence levels/intervals do no present the same concerns as they do in
quantitative studies based on probability samples and employing inferential
statistical analysis.
(e) Strategies for dealing with potential non-response bias:
Due to the qualitative nature of this study, non-response bias is not an issue.
(f) Description of any pre-testing and peer review of the methods and/or
instrument (recommended):

The focus group and semi-structured interview protocols were developed by a team
of experts, including Dr. Frederic Solop and Michael Kelly of Northern Arizona
University. Researchers worked closely with Ms. Lynne Dominy, Chief of
Interpretation, of Bandelier National Monument and with Pueblo community
leaders

10.

13.

Total Number of
Initial a) focus groups, b)
personal interviews
Contacts |
Expected Respondents:
Reporting Plan:

180

FG:
100
I: 40

11.

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

2

FG:
120
I: 60

12.

Total
Burde
n
Hours:

246
hrs.

Two reports will be prepared, one at the conclusion of Phase I of the project and
one at the conclusion of Phase II. The final project report will include Phase I and
Phase II research results, as well as other components, including demographic
projections for the area under study, a brief literature review on relevant topics,
description of study methodology, recommendations to be considered for the Park
General Management Plan, and a description of study limitations.
The reports will be submitted to the NPS for review and comment. Researchers will
be available to make a public presentation about project findings. The report will
also be made available to all focus group participants and people interviewed for
this project. Finally, the concluding reports will be submitted to the National Park
Service for review and posted on the Social Research Laboratory of Northern
Arizona University website. A copy of the final report will be sent to the NPS
Social Science Program and archived in the Social Science Studies Collection. It
will also be shared with participating Pueblo and Hispanic American communities.

Social Research Laboratory
Project Title: Identifying Park Visitor Needs at Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico
(Individual Interviews)
Dear Participant,
You are being asked to participate in a research project conducted through the Social
Research Laboratory at Northern Arizona University by Dr. Fred Solop and Michael Kelly, and
funded by the U.S. National Park Service. The researchers are required to receive your
informed consent before you participate in this project.
The researchers will explain to you in detail: (a) the purpose of the project, (b) the research
procedures to be used and what you will be asked to do, (c) how long your participation will last,
(d) how your personal information will not be attached to any of your answers and files
containing personal information will be destroyed at the end of the study, (e) the potential
benefits and possible risks of participation, and (f) if you will receive any compensation.
Your participation in research is voluntary. If you refuse to participate there are no penalties or
loss of benefits or services that you are otherwise entitled. If you decide to participate and then
withdraw or skip a question there are also no penalties or loss of benefits or services.
Whether or not you choose to participate in this project will have no effect on your relationship
with NAU now or in the future.
A basic explanation of the project is written below. Please read this explanation and discuss it
with the researchers. You may ask any questions you have to help you understand the project.
After any questions are answered and you decide to participate in the research, please sign on
the last page of this form in the presence of the person who explained the project to you. A copy
of this form will be given to you for you to keep.
1. PROJECT PURPOSE:
The purpose of this research is to better understand how to make parks more relevant to underserved groups in New Mexico.
2. EXPLANATION OF PROCEDURES:
The research will involve a personal interview about the topic outlined above. The interview is
expected to take no longer than one hour. With your permission, the interview will be recorded.
A transcription of the discussion will be made and the recording will later be destroyed.
3. ANONIMITY:
The final results and report from this research will be anonymous. Your name will not be
mentioned in any report produced after this interview is held, nor will identifying details be
attached to any comments in the report. The audio recording from this interview will remain in
the secure possession of the NAU Social Research Laboratory and will not be shared by
anyone else.

4. COMPENSATION:
Participants will receive a $35 stipend following the interview,
5. BENEFITS:
This interview will help National Park Service managers better understand how people living in
northern New Mexico perceive national park lands and their interest in visiting Bandelier
National Monument. This research will increase the sensitivity of park managers to the cultural
needs, interests, and perceptions of under-served populations living within a 75-mile radius of
the Bandelier National Monument.
6. RISKS:
There are no risks to participating in this interview beyond those of everyday life.
7. CONSENT:
I have read the above information about the “Identifying Park Visitor Needs at Bandelier
National Monument, New Mexico” research project and have been given an opportunity to ask
questions. I agree to participate in this project, and I have been given a copy of this consent
document.
____________________________________________
Signature of Participant

Date _________________

____________________________________________
Printed Name of Participant

____________________________________________
Signature of Research Representative

Date _________________

____________________________________________
Printed Name of Research Representative

This research has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget in compliance with
the Paperwork Reduction Act.
OMB Approval number:
XXXX-XXXX (NPS #XX-XXX)
Expiration Date:
XX/XX/XXXX
Person Collecting and Analyzing Information:
Northern Arizona University
PO Box 15301
Flagstaff, AZ
[email protected]

Frederic Solop

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. No action may be taken against you for
refusing to supply the information requested. Permanent data will be anonymous. 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 number of minutes required to respond, or on any other
aspect of this survey to:
Lynne Dominy
Bandelier National Monument
15 Entrance Rd.
Los Alamos, NM 87544
[email protected]

There is a dated approval stamp on this consent form (below). The stamp indicates that this
project has been reviewed and approved by the Northern Arizona University Institutional Review
Board (IRB) for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research. Contact the Human Research
Protections Office at 928-523-4340 if you have any questions about: (1) the conduct of the
project, or (2) your rights as a research participant, or (3) a research-related injury. Any other
questions about the research project should be directed to:

Dr. Frederic I. Solop and/or Michael Kelly
Social Research Laboratory
Northern Arizona University
PO Box 15301
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
(928)523-3135
[email protected]

Project Title: Identifying Park Visitor Needs at Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico

PERSONAL INTERVIEW PROTOCOL: PUEBLO COMMUNITIES
Thank you very much for your time. My name is xxxxx, and I am a researcher from Northern Arizona
University. I am part of a team of researchers that has been asked by managers at Bandelier National
Monument to meet with people living in neighboring areas to better understand how Bandelier can
provide better services and be more relevant to nearby communities. Bandelier does annual consultation
meetings with leaders from the six affiliated Pueblos, but they want to ensure that Pueblo community
members have this opportunity to share their ideas with park managers.
Our conversation today will take no longer than one hour. Your participation is voluntary and specific
information will never be attributed to you personally. If you prefer to skip over a question, just say so.
This interview 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. Additional information about this research and its approval is available at your
request.*
May I make an audio recording of this interview?
Thank you. Let’s begin.

1. How is your Pueblo unique? [Topic Area 1: Individual Characteristics]
2. Can you describe the kind of work you do either inside or outside of the Pueblo? [Topic Area 1:
Individual Characteristics]
3. We are here to learn about ways you and the people from your pueblo interact with the land in this
area. When you think about living in this area, what are all the ways the people are involved with the
land? [Topic Area 1: Individual Characteristics]
-Do they work on the land, play/recreate on the land, live on the land, etc.? [Topic Area 1:
Individual Characteristics]
-How is the land important to you? [Topic Area 1: Individual Characteristics]
4. How do you and the people from your pueblo feel about the job the National Park Service is doing in
managing your ancestral homelands? [Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park Management]
5. How familiar are you and the people from your pueblo with Bandelier National Monument, a national
park site? With other national park sites? With New Mexico State Parks? [Topic Area 6: Individual
Perceptions of their Park Experiences]
6. Do you and other members of the pueblo visit Bandelier National Monument? Why/why not?
-How often do you visit Bandelier? [Topic Area 2: Trip/Visit Characteristics]
-What do you do while you are there? [Topic Area 3: Individual Activities & Uses of
Park Resources]
-Do you visit in a group or as an individual? [Topic Area 2: Trip/Visit Characteristics]

Social Research Laboratory, Northern Arizona University

7. Are there reasons why you and others from your pueblo don’t visit Bandelier National Monument
more often? Or other national park sites? Or New Mexico State Parks? [Topic area 2: Trip/Visit
Characteristics]
8.

What can the people who work at Bandelier National Monument do to encourage you and people
from your pueblo to visit regularly? What else…? [Topic Area 6: Individual Opinions on Park
Management]
-Are there certain recreational opportunities that should be offered? [Topic Area
3: Individual Activities and Uses of Park Resources]
-What kinds of things could the people managing Bandelier National Monument do to encourage
people in this area to feel more welcome? [Topic Area 6: Individual Perceptions of their Park
Experiences]
-Are there ways Bandelier National Monument can do a better job integrating pueblo culture into
the way it manages the monument? [Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park Management]
-What can Bandelier National Monument staff do to make the park more welcoming to people
from the pueblo? [Topic Area 5: Individual Evaluation of Park Services]

9.

Is there any other information you would like to give me about the topics we discussed today?
[Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park Management]

Those are all the questions I have for you.
If you would like to see the final report that emerges from this research, please contact the Social
Research Laboratory at Northern Arizona University. The SRL can be reached at (928) 523-1515.
Thank you very much for your time.

Social Research Laboratory, Northern Arizona University

FOCUS GROUP PROTOCOL: PUEBLO COMMUNITIES
Pre-Focus Group
Greet participants as they arrive; ask them to sign-in and complete a consent form to participate; invite
people to partake in food and drinks
Introduction:
Thank you for attending this meeting today. My name is xxxxx, and I am a researcher from Northern
Arizona University. I am part of a team of researchers that has been asked by managers at Bandelier
National Monument to meet with groups of people living in neighboring areas. The purpose of the
meeting is to better understand how Bandelier, can provide better services and be more relevant to nearby
communities. Bandelier does annual consultation meetings with leaders from the six affiliated Pueblos
but they want to ensure that Pueblo community members have this opportunity to share their ideas with
park managers.
In a focus group such as this, people come together to discuss specific questions raised by the facilitator.
As facilitator, my job is keep the discussion focused on specific topics, while encouraging you to talk
between yourselves. The best focus groups are where the facilitator takes a step back and does more
listening than talking. We would like to make an audio recording of the discussion. Do we have your
permission to make an audio recording?
I am joined here by xxxxx. Her/his job is to take good notes on our discussion, manage the recording
device, and keep track of time.
This focus group will take no longer than 2 hours to complete. We will take a break in the middle to walk
around, stretch our legs and get some snacks. Your participation is voluntary and specific information will
never be attributed to you personally. Information from the group will be summarized in a report provided
to Bandelier National Monument managers. That report will be available to you upon request.
The discussion group 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. Additional information about this research and its approval is available at your
request.*
Let’s begin by going around the table and introducing ourselves.
1. When you think about living in this area, what are all the ways you and your family are involved with
the land? [Topic Area 1: Individual Characteristics]
-Do you work on the land, play/recreate on the land, live on the land, etc?
-How is the land important to you?
2. How do you feel about the job the National Park Service is doing managing your ancestral
homelands? [Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park Management]
3. How familiar are you with Bandelier National Monument, a national park site? With other national
park sites? With New Mexico State Parks? [topic area 6: Individual Perceptions of their Park
Experiences]
BREAK

Social Research Laboratory, Northern Arizona University

4. Do you and other members of the pueblo visit Bandelier National Monument regularly? Why/why
not? [Topic area 2: Trip/Visit Characteristics]
-How often do you visit Bandelier? [Topic Area 2: Trip/Visit Characteristics]
-What do you like to do at Bandelier? [Topic area 3: Individual Activities
and Uses of Park Experiences]
-Do people visit in groups or as individuals? [Topic Area 2: Trip/Visit Characteristics]
5. Are there reasons why you don’t visit Bandelier National Monument more often? Or other national
park sites? Or New Mexico State Parks? [Topic Area 2: Trip/Visit Characteristics]
6. What can the staff at Bandelier National Monument do to encourage more people from this pueblo to
visit regularly? What else…? [Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park Management]
-Are there certain recreation opportunities you would like to see offered? [Topic area
3: Individual Activities and Uses of Park Resources]
-Are there ways Bandelier National Monument can do a better job integrating pueblo culture into
management decisions? [Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park Management]
-What can Bandelier National Monument staff do to make the park unit more welcoming of
people from this area? [Topic Area 5: Individual Evaluation of Park Services]
7. Finally, I’d like to go around the room and ask each of you if there’s anything else you’d like to add
to today’s conversation. Is there anything you have been thinking about saying but just have not had
the opportunity to say? [Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park Management]

Thank you for your time. Those are all the questions I have for you today.
If you would like to see the final report that emerges from this research, please contact the Social
Research Laboratory at Northern Arizona University. The SRL can be reached at (928) 523-1515.
We will now distribute your stipends for participating in today’s conversation.

Social Research Laboratory, Northern Arizona University

PERSONAL INTERVIEW PROTOCOL: HISPANIC COMMUNITIES
Thank you very much for you time. My name is xxxxx, and I am a researcher from Northern Arizona
University. I am part of a team of researchers that has been asked by managers at Bandelier National
Monument to meet with people living in neighboring areas to better understand what people think of
Bandelier National Monument and how Bandelier can provide better services and be more relevant to
nearby communities.
There are several Federal Agencies that manage public land in this region. These include the Forest
Service and The National Park Service as well as some others. You may know the Forest Service
manages The Santa Fe, Cibola and Carson National Forests in Northern New Mexico. What we would
like you to know is that Bandelier National Monument is a park that is part of the National Park Service,
and Bandelier is not at all affiliated with the Forest Service.
Bandelier National Monument contains literally thousands of cultural sites that were built by the ancestors
of the pueblo people living along the Rio Grande River and farther west into western New Mexico. Here
are some photos of these sites (facilitator will pass around some of the park’s site photos). The park’s
mission is to protect and preserve these sites and the natural resources of the park.
The questions I am asking you today will take no longer than one hour to complete. Your participation is
voluntary and specific information will never be attributed to you personally. If you prefer to skip over a
question, just say so.
The discussion group 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. Additional information about this research and its approval is available at your
request.*
May I make an audio recording of this interview?
Thank you. Let’s begin.

1. How would you describe the community that you and your family live in? How long has have you
and your family lived in this area? [Topic Area 1: Individual Characteristics]
2. What kind of work do you and your family do? [Topic Area 1: Individual Characteristics]
3. When you think about living in this area, what are all the ways you and your family are involved with
the land? [Topic Area 1: Individual Characteristics]
-Do you work on the land, play/recreate on the land, live on the land, etc.?
-How are public lands important to you?
4. How do you feel about the job that the National Park Service is doing managing cultural sites in this
area? [Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park Management]
5. How familiar are you with Bandelier National Monument, a national park site? With other national
park sites? With New Mexico State Parks? [Topic Area 6: Individual Perceptions of their Park
Experiences]

Social Research Laboratory, Northern Arizona University

6. Do you and your family visit Bandelier National Monument regularly? Why/why not? [Topic Area 2:
Trip/Visit Characteristics]
-How often do you visit Bandelier? [Topic Area 2: Trip/Visit Characteristics]
-What do you and your family like to do at Bandelier? [Topic Area 3: Individual Activities
and uses of Park Resources]
-Do you visit with a group or as an individual? [Topic Area 2: Trip/Visit Characteristics]
7. Are there reasons why you and your family don’t visit Bandelier National Monument more often?
[Topic Area 2: Trip/Visit Characteristics]
8.

What can the staff at Bandelier National Monument do to encourage more people from your
community to visit regularly? What else…? [Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park
Management]
-Are there certain recreational opportunities you would like to see offered? [Topic area
3: Individual Activities and Uses of Park Resources]
-Are there ways Bandelier National Monument can do a better job integrating Hispanic culture
into management decisions? [Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park Management]
-What can Bandelier National Monument staff do to make the park unit more more welcoming to
your community? [Topic Area 5: Individual Evaluation of Park Services]

Those are all the questions I have for you.
If you would like to see the final report that emerges from this research, please contact the Social
Research Laboratory at Northern Arizona University. The SRL can be reached at (928) 523-1515.
Thank you very much for your time.

Social Research Laboratory, Northern Arizona University

FOCUS GROUP PROTOCOL: HISPANIC COMMUNITIES
Pre-Focus Group
Greet participants as they arrive; ask them to sign-in and complete a consent form to participate; invite
people to partake in food and drinks
Introduction:
Thank you for attending this meeting today. My name is xxxxx and I am a researcher from Northern
Arizona University. I am part of a team of researchers that has been asked by managers at Bandelier
National Monument to meet with groups of people living in neighboring areas. The purpose of the
meeting is to better understand what people think about Bandelier National Monument and how Bandelier
can provide better services and be more relevant to nearby communities.
There are several Federal Agencies that manage public land in this region. These include the Forest
Service and The National Park Service as well as some others. You may know the Forest Service
manages The Santa Fe, Cibola and Carson National Forests in Northern New Mexico. What we would
like you to know is that Bandelier National Monument is a park that is part of the National Park Service,
and Bandelier is not at all affiliated with the Forest Service.
Bandelier National Monument contains literally thousands of cultural sites that were built by the ancestors
of the pueblo people living along the Rio Grande River and farther west into western New Mexico. Here
are some photos of these sites (facilitator will pass around some of the park’s site photos). The park’s
mission is to protect and preserve these sites and the natural resources of the park.
In a focus group such as this, people come together to discuss specific questions raised by the facilitator.
As facilitator, my job is keep the discussion focused on specific topics, while encouraging you to talk
between yourselves. The best focus groups are where the facilitator takes a step back and does more
listening than talking. We would like to make an audio recording of the discussion. Do we have your
permission to make an audio recording?
I am joined here by xxxxx. Her/his job is to take good notes on our discussion, manage the recording
device, and keep track of time.
This focus group will take no longer than 2 hours to complete. We will take a break in the middle to walk
around, stretch our legs and get some snacks. Your participation is voluntary and specific information will
never be attributed to you personally. Information from the group will be summarized in a report provided
to Bandelier National Monument managers. That report will be available to you upon request.
The discussion group 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. Additional information about this research and its approval is available at your
request.*
Let’s begin by going around the table and introducing ourselves.
1. When you think about living in this area, what are all the ways you and your family are involved with
the land? [Topic Area 1: Individual Characteristics]
-Do you work on the land, play/recreate on the land, live on the land, etc.?
-How is public land important to you?

Social Research Laboratory, Northern Arizona University

2. How do you feel about the job that the National Park Service is doing managing cultural sites in this
area? [Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park Management]
3. How familiar are you with Bandelier National Monument, a national park site? With other national
park sites? With New Mexico State Parks? [Topic Area 6: Individual Perceptions of their Park
Experiences]
4. Do you and your family visit Bandelier National Monument regularly? Why/why not? [Topic area 2:
Trip/Visit Characteristics]
-How often do you visit Bandelier? [Topic area 2: Trip/Visit Characteristics]
-What do you and your family like to do at Bandelier? [Topic area 3: Individual Activities
and Uses of Park Experiences]
-Do you visit in a group or as an individual? [Topic area 2: Trip/Visit Characteristics]
BREAK
5. Are there reasons you and your family don’t visit Bandelier National Monument more often? [Topic
Area 2: Trip/Visit Characteristics]
6. What can the staff at Bandelier National Monument do to encourage more people from this area to
visit regularly? What else…? [Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park Management]
-Are there certain recreational opportunities you would like to see offered? [Topic area
3: Individual Activities and Uses of Park Resources]
-Are there ways Bandelier National Monument can do a better job integrating Hispanic culture
into management decisions? [Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park Management]
-What can Bandelier National Monument staff do to make the park unit more welcoming of
people from this area? [Topic Area 5: Individual Evaluation of Park Services]
7. Finally, I’d like to go around the room and ask each of you if there’s anything else you’d like to add
to today’s conversation. Is there anything you have been thinking about saying but just have not had
the opportunity to say? [Topic Area 7: Individual Opinions on Park Management]

Thank you for your time. Those are all the questions I have for you today.
If you would like to see the final report that emerges from this research, please contact the Social
Research Laboratory at Northern Arizona University. The SRL can be reached at (928) 523-1515.
We will now distribute your stipends for participating in today’s conversation.

Social Research Laboratory, Northern Arizona University

*Additional Information Provided upon Request:
OMB Approval number:
Expiration Date:

XXXX-XXXX (NPS #XX-XXX)
XX/XX/XXXX

Person Collecting and Analyzing Information:
Northern Arizona University
PO Box 15301
Flagstaff, AZ
[email protected]

Frederic Solop

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. No action may be taken against you for
refusing to supply the information requested. Permanent data will be anonymous. 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 number of minutes required to respond, or on any other aspect of this
survey to:
Lynne Dominy
Bandelier National Monument
15 Entrance Rd.
Los Alamos, NM 87544
[email protected]

Social Research Laboratory, Northern Arizona University