NPS
National parks have many things scientists like to study–rocks, plants, archeological sites, wildlife. Different parks have different natural and cultural resources that interest scientists. But one thing all parks have in common? People!
Social scientists come to national parks to study people. Parks are “social laboratories” that can yield valuable insights about people, our activities, and the meanings we find in parks.
The National Park Service, its partners, and external researchers use social science results to understand and improve visitor experiences in parks.There are many kinds of research questions relvant to parks. For example:
- What and how do visitors learn from interpreters, visitor centers, and trail-side displays?
- How, when, where, and why do people spend money when they visit parks and surrounding communities?
- How do visitors behave in the presence of wildlife?
- What makes for effective education programs and school field trips?
- What motivates people to volunteer in parks?
- What values–cultural, political, social, economic, spiritual, educational–do people associate with national parks?
Explore this page to learn about what social scientists do in parks and what they’re discovering.
Last updated: December 6, 2023