What works in the field? Evaluating informal science events

Grand, Ann; Sardo, Ana Margarida

Abstract

Around the world, increasing numbers of people are attending informal science events, often ones that are part of multi-event festivals that cross cultural boundaries. For the researchers who take part, and the organizers, evaluating the events' success, value, and effectiveness is hugely important. However, the use of traditional evaluation methods such as paper surveys and formal structured interviews poses problems in informal, dynamic contexts. In this article, we draw on our experience of evaluating events that literally took place in a field, and discuss evaluation methods we have found to be simple yet useful in such situations.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 23, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Dec 11, 2017
• Publication Date: Dec 11, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jan 3, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 3, 2018
• Journal: Frontiers in Communication
• Print ISSN: 2297-900X
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Article Number: 22
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2017.00022
• Keywords: evaluation, methodology, informal events, science communication, public engagement, non-traditional methods
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/902061
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2017.00022
• Related Public URLs: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2017.00022/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Communication&id=312314
• Contract Date: Jan 3, 2018