Sea Change Website Summative Evaluation Report

Rockman et al (REA), a San Francisco-based research and evaluation firm, conducted the summative evaluation of the Sea Change website. Through funding from the National Science Foundation, Dan Grossman Media developed this website as part of Dr. Maureen Raymo's research. Her research looks at the Pliocene era (thought to be the most recent time in geologic history with a concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere with levels as high as today). The aim of the Sea Change website is to raise awareness about global-warming-induced sea level rise and how scientists study it. This report follows a formative evaluation report produced by REA in March 2013. Rockman's summative evaluation was designed to: (1) gather users' feedback about the website, as well as (2) assess the impact of the site on users' knowledge and attitudes about sea level rise and climate change. To meet these goals, researchers recruited four adults to interact with the website and provide feedback through guided think-aloud interviews.