Narratives as a mode of research evaluation in citizen science: Understanding broader science communication impacts

Roberts, Elisabeth; Constant, Natasha

Abstract

Science communicators develop qualitative and quantitative tools to evaluate the ‘impact’ of their work however narrative is rarely adopted as a form of evaluation. We posit narrative as an evaluative approach for research projects with a core science communication element and offer several narrative methods to be trialled. We use citizen science projects as an example of science communication research seeking to gain knowledge of participant-emergent themes via evaluations. Storied experience of participant involvement enhances understanding of context-based and often intangible processes, such as changing place-relations, values, and self-efficacy, by enabling a reflective space for critical-thinking and self-reflection.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 4, 2017
• Publication Date: Sep 18, 2017
• Deposit Date: Sep 22, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 22, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Science Communication
• Print ISSN: 1824-2049
• Publisher: Sissa Medialab
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 4
• Keywords: citizen science, science communication, narrative, storytelling, digital storytelling, evaluation, research methods
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/880967
• Publisher URL: https://jcom.sissa.it/narrative-evaluative-approach-citizen-science-projects
• Contract Date: Sep 22, 2017