Learning the language of science: A pilot study exploring citizen scientists' identity and communication with researchers.

Rachel Damiani,Carla L Fisher,Janice L Krieger,Shirley Bloodworth,Janet Brishke,Kim Walsh-Childers,Debbie Treise,Elizabeth Shenkman

doi:10.1017/cts.2021.847

Rachel Damiani, Carla L Fisher + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2021.847

Copy DOI

Abstract

Although the involvement of citizen scientists in research can contribute to scientific benefits, much remains unknown about participants' lived experiences in research. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore how citizen scientists describe their role in, motivation for, and communication with researchers. In-depth interviews (N = 9) were conducted with citizen scientists at a translational health research center. Key results include that citizen scientists were invested in learning researchers' discipline-specific language and viewed small group sizes as conducive to their active participation. Programs can apply these findings in an effort to improve citizen scientists' long-term engagement in research.

Highlights

The involvement of citizen scientists in research can contribute to scientific benefits, much remains unknown about participants’ lived experiences in research
They relayed that citizen scientist participation connected with aspects of their personal identity related to research participation, including a love of learning and enjoyment of science
This study generated preliminary findings about citizen scientists’ perceptions of their identity in research that are important to highlight. These results suggest that citizen scientists invest in learning scientists’ discipline-specific language. This finding is interesting in light of the CTI because it suggests that citizen scientists may strive to create a relational identity in research that is rooted in a shared language with scientists.[22]

Summary

Introduction

The involvement of citizen scientists in research can contribute to scientific benefits, much remains unknown about participants’ lived experiences in research. Since 2006, the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program has recognized the importance of community engagement, such as citizen science programs.[1,2] Citizen science research occurs when members of the public engage in the scientific process, including assisting researchers with data collection or providing lay expertise on the study’s design.[3,4] While the term “citizen science” is pervasive in ecology-related research, citizen science efforts have increasingly expanded into a myriad of disciplines, including health research.[5,6,7] Involving citizen scientists in research has contributed to scientific benefits, including the collection of data and publication of scientific findings.[8,9] Given the importance of these outcomes, scholars are devoting attention to understanding how to mobilize citizen scientists and sustain their long-term involvement.[10,11] For example, past research has examined citizen scientists’ motivations for engaging in research and attitudes toward science.[12,13] previous studies have not yet extensively focused on how the identities of citizen scientists may shape communication with researchers as well as the research experience. The purpose of this study was to explore how citizen scientists describe their perceived role in, motivation for, and communication with scientists in translational health research

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion