Expanding Public Participation in Science Practices Beyond Data Collection
This study was conducted in a museum-based lab setting where scientists research the genetics of taste. Unlike academic labs with graduate students, the museum lab model trains volunteers (community scientists) who are (in true citizen science fashion) primarily responsible for enrolling museum gues...
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Ubiquity Press
2021-04-01
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doaj-51ac240f4f8644a28d4417a479e54af82021-05-10T07:42:44ZengUbiquity PressCitizen Science: Theory and Practice2057-49912021-04-016110.5334/cstp.292116Expanding Public Participation in Science Practices Beyond Data CollectionLeighanna Hinojosa0Robbin Riedy1Joseph Polman2Rebecca Swanson3Tiffany Nuessle4Nicole Garneau5University of Colorado BoulderUniversity of Colorado BoulderUniversity of Colorado BoulderUniversity of Colorado BoulderDenver Museum of Nature and ScienceDenver Museum of Nature and ScienceThis study was conducted in a museum-based lab setting where scientists research the genetics of taste. Unlike academic labs with graduate students, the museum lab model trains volunteers (community scientists) who are (in true citizen science fashion) primarily responsible for enrolling museum guests into clinical studies; thus, they collect the bulk of the data for the research. Like most public participation in science research, the non-professional contributions have historically been largely limited to data collection; however, this study shows the power of invitations and structured opportunities for expanded participation among citizen scientists in a wider range of science practices. Through interpretive case study research, we examine how community scientists exercise agency and respond to opportunities for expanded participation in scientific practices including study design, data analysis, and dissemination of scientific findings through work on scientific articles. The case study research findings show that providing opportunities for involvement is only part of what accounts for community scientists’ expanded participation. Dialogic negotiation of participation is also necessary, through bids and responses to bids, and through proffered guidance and scaffolding. Committed involvement thus entails deep cultivation and nurturing by both the museum staff, and at times, other more knowledgeable volunteers. Expanded participation is also bolstered by one’s capacity, motives for, and satisfactions from pursuing those opportunities that align with past, present, or future interests and identifications. Such interests and identifications contribute to community scientists’ willingness to overcome barriers and time constraints when they arise.https://theoryandpractice.citizenscienceassociation.org/articles/292community sciencescientific practicesagencycitizen scienceppsr (public participation in scientific research) |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Leighanna Hinojosa Robbin Riedy Joseph Polman Rebecca Swanson Tiffany Nuessle Nicole Garneau |
spellingShingle |
Leighanna Hinojosa Robbin Riedy Joseph Polman Rebecca Swanson Tiffany Nuessle Nicole Garneau Expanding Public Participation in Science Practices Beyond Data Collection Citizen Science: Theory and Practice community science scientific practices agency citizen science ppsr (public participation in scientific research) |
author_facet |
Leighanna Hinojosa Robbin Riedy Joseph Polman Rebecca Swanson Tiffany Nuessle Nicole Garneau |
author_sort |
Leighanna Hinojosa |
title |
Expanding Public Participation in Science Practices Beyond Data Collection |
title_short |
Expanding Public Participation in Science Practices Beyond Data Collection |
title_full |
Expanding Public Participation in Science Practices Beyond Data Collection |
title_fullStr |
Expanding Public Participation in Science Practices Beyond Data Collection |
title_full_unstemmed |
Expanding Public Participation in Science Practices Beyond Data Collection |
title_sort |
expanding public participation in science practices beyond data collection |
publisher |
Ubiquity Press |
series |
Citizen Science: Theory and Practice |
issn |
2057-4991 |
publishDate |
2021-04-01 |
description |
This study was conducted in a museum-based lab setting where scientists research the genetics of taste. Unlike academic labs with graduate students, the museum lab model trains volunteers (community scientists) who are (in true citizen science fashion) primarily responsible for enrolling museum guests into clinical studies; thus, they collect the bulk of the data for the research. Like most public participation in science research, the non-professional contributions have historically been largely limited to data collection; however, this study shows the power of invitations and structured opportunities for expanded participation among citizen scientists in a wider range of science practices. Through interpretive case study research, we examine how community scientists exercise agency and respond to opportunities for expanded participation in scientific practices including study design, data analysis, and dissemination of scientific findings through work on scientific articles. The case study research findings show that providing opportunities for involvement is only part of what accounts for community scientists’ expanded participation. Dialogic negotiation of participation is also necessary, through bids and responses to bids, and through proffered guidance and scaffolding. Committed involvement thus entails deep cultivation and nurturing by both the museum staff, and at times, other more knowledgeable volunteers. Expanded participation is also bolstered by one’s capacity, motives for, and satisfactions from pursuing those opportunities that align with past, present, or future interests and identifications. Such interests and identifications contribute to community scientists’ willingness to overcome barriers and time constraints when they arise. |
topic |
community science scientific practices agency citizen science ppsr (public participation in scientific research) |
url |
https://theoryandpractice.citizenscienceassociation.org/articles/292 |
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