R. Bruce Hull

Satisfaction of what? Post hoc versus real‐time construct validity

Abstract Post hoc satisfaction (PHS) and real‐time satisfaction (RTS) are alternative ways to operationalize recreation satisfaction. PHS is an appraisal of a recrea‐tionists current image of the recreation experience assessed after the on‐site activity has occurred. RTS is an appraisal of a recreationists current state. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between these two constructs and their empirical operations. Satisfaction was assessed at 12 times during a day hike (RTS), on‐site immediately after the hike (PHS‐0), at home 3 months after the hike (PHS‐3), and at home 9 months after the hike (PHS‐9). Results indicate that PHS‐0 and the summary indicators of the RTS assessments were significantly related (R2 = .31, p < .01). The relation between PHS‐3 and RTS exhibited a reduced fit (R2 = .18, p < .01) and a still weaker fit between PHS‐9 and RTS (R2 = .04, p < .10). In addition, PHS‐0 was significantly greater than both PHS‐3 and PHS‐9. The analysis and discussion suggest that dif...

Integrating technologies for visual resource management

The visual environment is an important resource requiring a competent, effective management system. Such a system requires defining the resource, inventorying it and its predictors, building predictive models which help asses impacts, integrating all this in a usable format, and providing a mechanism for the presentation of results to decision-makers and the public. Psychophysical methods, GIS based modeling, video-imaging technology, and expert systems are technologies which provide the means to accomplish these tasks. Examples show the potential of each technology. Integration of these separate technologies permits the construction of still more effective management systems.

Issues in sampling landscapes for visual quality assessments

Abstract There are an infinite number of positions and perspectives from which a landscape may be viewed. When assessing landscape visual quality some systematic sampling of this infinitude is essential. This paper focuses attention on this often neglected yet critical task. It is suggested that sampling from the used or visited landscape is at least as important as sampling from the ecological and/or topological landscape. The implications for landscape sampling of the following issues are discussed: the visitors purpose, the meaning associated with landscape features, the intensity and location of use, sequence of exposure and locomotion through a landscape, emotion experienced while in the landscape, factors which attract a visitors attention, and the temporal characteristics of the landscape. Participant photography is suggested as a method to supplement existing landscape sampling approaches because it samples the landscape from the perspective of persons who visit the landscape.

Change in the landscape

Abstract This paper reviews the literature on scenic impacts of changeable landscape features, suggests possible biasing effects due to ignoring ephemeral landscape conditions and examines the scenic impact of one ephemeral landscape characteristic — wildlife. It is demonstrated that wildlife has a positive, statistically significant impact on scenic quality evaluations. Even the expectation of seeing wildlife significantly increases landscape quality assessments. Several findings suggest potential problems with the use of photographs as landscape surrogates in scenic quality assessment studies. It is argued that change in the landscape deserves consideration in landscape planning, design and research applications.

Supporting personal world-views in an envisioning system

This paper describes an envisioning system (EvS) designed to help rural communities contemplate landscape level changes. Simulations and models project current conditions into the future according to the constraints of scenario-based planning and available land use choices. Possible futures are represented through visual (2D, 3D and iconic) indicators. This paper defines four distinct world-views (romantic, pastoral, ecological, and economic) and then reviews system design in the light of these views. Two key system aspects discussed are the indicators of environmental conditions, and the styles of data presentation. A developed EvS was tested in two public workshops. In one the world-views were explicitly introduced, and in the second they emerged naturally through exploration of futures. Our findings suggest that awareness and understanding of four major world-views can help plan and evaluate major software systems while also providing a convenient structure for analysis of results.

Sensitivity of scenic beauty assessments

Abstract Measurements representing the public evaluations of scenic beauty were compared using two psychophysical measurement techniques. It had been suggested that the easier-to-use Scenic Beauty Estimation procedure might not discriminate among similar scenes as well as the Law of Comparative Judgment procedure and thus be inapplicable to certain situations. However, this study suggests that the Scenic Beauty Estimation procedure can reliably discriminate among very similar forest landscape scenes, and thus seems appropriate for most landscape assessment studies.

Statistical microcomputing: A critical look

Abstract With the introduction of the microcomputer, sophisticated statistical computing can now be done at a persons desk. However, since the microcomputing environment is a subset of the mainframe environment, there exist limitations to statistical microcomputing, such as precision and processing efficiency. However, the microcomputer does offer advantages for statistical computing if the statistical software for microcomputers exhibits certain characteristics. These software characteristics and the advantages and disadvantages of statistical microcomputing are discussed.