The year 2004 represents a landmark for interpretive research in Taiwan—it has been 20 years since the completion of the first academic thesis examining the topic of interpretation in 1984. Fifty-six completed masters’ theses signal a boom in resource interpretation research. Within the past two decades, the scope of interpretive research has expanded from general to specific, from resource-based sites to diverse settings, and from a “service orientation” to “management tool orientation”. This analysis of interpretive research in Taiwan attempts to (1) compare and contrast what research topics related to interpretation and guiding have been conducted on “the other side of the world,” (2) understand the range of theories employed in the studies, (3) recognize how interpretation relates and contributes to the development of the leisure and recreation industry in Taiwan, and (4) highlight the potential long-term cumulative effect of interpretation to Taiwanese society as a whole.
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WuH. C., & HuanT. C. (2001). On service quality of the Yu-Shan National Park Administration: A case study of visitors’ satisfaction (in Chinese).Journal of National Park, 11 (2), 117–135.
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OuS. R.1984On providing interpretive services to meet visitor needs: A study of three sites at Kenting Forest Recreation Area, Oluanpi Park, and Mt.Nan-Ren in Kenting National Park.
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DongY. P.1985The relationship between resource significance and interpretive media at Kenting National Park.
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LiC. S.1986Interpretation need assessment for national parks in Taiwan.
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LiG. F.1987The effectiveness of interpretive service.
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LinH. J.1988A study on the interpretation of forest recreation resources.
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ZhengW. L.1989The planning and effectiveness of audio-visual programs at Yangmingshan National Park.
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LiD. J.1992A study on the interpretation system at forest recreation areas.
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LiX. Y.1992Interpretive services at nature resource-based recreation areas in Taiwan.
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HuangC. C.1993Analyzing interpretative principles at Ta-Ta-Chia Recreation Area: A cognitive approach.
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WuF. Z.1994Visitors’ response to multimedia interpretation.
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ChienC. W.1994Establishing a volunteer interpreter program at national parks in Taiwan.
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ChienY. C.1994Planning and analyzing the self-guided trail system in Forest Recreation Areas.
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ChangS. D.1994The use and effectiveness of interactive multimedia interpretive programs in museums.
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XiaoS. B.1995The effects and implications of interpreting the local plant community at Tatun Mountain, Yangmingshan National Park.
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LiouC. R.1995Visitors’ demands on interpretive services at Northeast Coastal National Scenic Area.
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YangT. T.1996The effectiveness of interpretative publications: An example of the aviary brochure at the Taipei City Zoo.
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ChangS. T.1997A study on the effectiveness of interpretation at the Historical Lin Garden and Homestead.
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HoS. Y.1998A survey research of volunteer interpreter participation at Shei-Pa National Park.
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DongS. L.1998The effectiveness of interpretive programs at Fu-Shan Botanical Park.
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ShihC. Y.1998The use and implication of the World Wide Web in an art museum's exhibit: A case study of a university art center.
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GuoJ. L.1999A sensitivity approach to the effect of interpretation.
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TsengY. P.1999Using interpretation for whale-watching activities in Hualien Harbor.
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YuY. H.1999Museum guides’ professional competencies: The case of the National Museum of History.
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LinC. C.2000Interpreting archaeological resources: A case study at Peinan Heritage Park.
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WuS. Y.2000The motivation and job satisfaction of volunteer interpreters in Taroko National Park.
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TsaiS. H.2000A study on the effectiveness of interpretive exhibits at the Life Science Exhibit, National Museum of Natural Science: A junior high school students’ perspective.
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TsengY. L.2000Evaluating the effect of interpreting environmental impacts of recreation areas at Kenting National Park.
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ChengC. L.2000Learning at a museum auditorium: Perspectives of interpreters.
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WuL. L.2000The relationship between tour-guiding and the visitor involvement level in a museum setting: A case study of the Da Vinci Exhibition.
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TsengS. C.2001The application of the theatrical interpretation in museums: A case of the National Museum of Natural Science.
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WangH. C.2001An Importance-Performance Analysis of a quality museum experience at the National Palace Museum.
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TsengY. T.2001Interpretation Services in Chi-Tou Forest Recreation Area.
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ChenY. C.2001Motivation and attitudes of volunteer interpreters of Eastern Coastal Scenic Area.
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HsiehP. Y.2001A study on motivation, locus of control, and job satisfaction of the volunteer interpreters at Yushan National Park.
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LiaoT. C.2001Studies on the roles and professional ability of a museum docent.
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ChungC. S.2002The effect of an interpretive brochure for elementary school students: A case study at Taipei City Zoo's Koala Room.
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ChengC. W.2002The effect of resource characteristics and interpretive media on resource stewardship at national park sites in Taiwan.
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WangH. C.2002Interpreters’ needs for professional development on environmental education and environmental interpretation in Taiwan's national parks.
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LinS. H.2002How interpretation contributes to leisure benefits? A case study of hiking.
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ChiangY. C.2002Using the technique of Importance-Performance Analysis to evaluate interpreters and interpretive media at the National Science and Technology Museum.
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HuangM.W.2002A study of recreation interpretation and its impact on tourists in the Salt Belt of Tainan County.
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LinA. Y.2002The effectiveness of Skadang Interpretative Trail in Taroko National Park.
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YenW. W.2002An exploratory study of competencies for national park interpreters.
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LeeS. P.2003A study on the interpretative effects of interpreter on eco-tourism: A case study on firefly-watching at DungShih Forest Recreation Area.
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LeeH. J.2003Studying the effectiveness of interpretation services on whale watching from visitors in Hualien.
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ChenC. J.2003Research on the interpretive theories and the application of interpreting art works in an art museum.
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ChengM. N.2003The construction of indexes to the professional Competencies of public museum guides.
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ShiehM. H.2003A study on visitors’ interpretive demands at Lukang Heritage Sites.
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LoH. J.2003Interpreters’ environmental perceptions: A review and approach of significant life experience.
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ChiangC. J.2003The demand of Internet learning for national parks interpreters in Taiwan.
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LiK. C.2003Partnering parents for environmental interpretation: A curriculum development program of plant and insect resources.
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KuoL. C.2003Junior rangers: The ability to interpret plan resources among sixth graders.
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WuJ. Y.2003A study of the turnover of volunteer interpreters in the Taiwan's national parks.
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TsaiS. L.2003Theory and practice of the interaction between elementary school teachers and art museum guiding: A case study of the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts.
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YangC. H.2003A study on museum docent training program: A case study of Taichung County Seaport Art Center.
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WuC. C.2003Analysis of domestic tour guides’ geographical concepts.
