R. Manning et al
to measure and more fully understand crowding-related norms of visitors to Acadia National Park, Maine. A specific objective of the study was to assess the extent to which respondents consciously considered the inherent tradeoffs between
a )protecting the quality of park resources and the visitor experience and b) maintaining reasonable public access for recreation. Another objective was to assess the effect of such consideration on the norms derived. Verbal protocol analysis, developed in psychology, was adopted as an appropriate qualitative method.