Lynch Louise I, Dauer Jenny M, Babchuk Wayne A, Heng-Moss Tiffany, Golick Doug
Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ENTO 103B, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA.
School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, HARH 502, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA.
Insects. 2018 Feb 6;9(1):16. doi: 10.3390/insects9010016.
A mixed methods study was used to transcend the traditional pre-, post-test approach of citizen science evaluative research by integrating adults' test scores with their perceptions. We assessed how contributory entomology citizen science affects participants' science self-efficacy, self-efficacy for environmental action, nature relatedness and attitude towards insects. Pre- and post-test score analyses from citizen scientists ( = 28) and a control group ( = 72) were coupled with interviews ( = 11) about science experiences and entomological interactions during participation. Considering quantitative data alone, no statistically significant changes were evident in adults following participation in citizen science when compared to the control group. Citizen scientists' pre-test scores were significantly higher than the control group for self-efficacy for environmental action, nature relatedness and attitude towards insects. Interview data reveal a notable discrepancy between measured and perceived changes. In general, citizen scientists had an existing, long-term affinity for the natural world and perceived increases in their science self-efficacy, self-efficacy for environmental action, nature relatedness and attitude towards insects. Perceived influences may act independently of test scores. Scale instruments may not show impacts with variances in individual's prior knowledge and experiences. The value of mixed methods on citizen science program evaluation is discussed.
一项混合方法研究被用于超越公民科学评估研究中传统的前后测试方法，该方法通过将成年人的测试成绩与他们的看法相结合。我们评估了参与昆虫学公民科学活动如何影响参与者的科学自我效能感、环境行动自我效能感、与自然的关联以及对昆虫的态度。对公民科学家（n = 28）和对照组（n = 72）的前后测试成绩分析，再加上对11名参与者关于参与期间的科学体验和昆虫学互动的访谈。仅考虑定量数据，与对照组相比，成年人参与公民科学活动后没有明显的统计学显著变化。公民科学家在环境行动自我效能感、与自然的关联以及对昆虫的态度方面的前测成绩显著高于对照组。访谈数据显示出测量变化与感知变化之间存在显著差异。总体而言，公民科学家对自然世界有着既有的、长期的喜爱，并感知到他们的科学自我效能感、环境行动自我效能感、与自然的关联以及对昆虫的态度有所增强。感知到的影响可能独立于测试成绩而起作用。量表工具可能无法显示出个体先前知识和经验差异所带来的影响。本文讨论了混合方法在公民科学项目评估中的价值。
