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

Constant, N; Roberts, L

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.

Citation

Constant, N., & Roberts, L. (2017). Narratives as a mode of research evaluation in citizen science: understanding broader science communication impacts. Journal of Science Communication, 16(4), Article A03

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 4, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Sep 18, 2017
• Publication Date: Sep 18, 2017
• Deposit Date: Oct 2, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 6, 2017
• Journal: Journal of science communication : JCOM.
• Publisher: Sissa Medialab
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 4
• Article Number: A03
• Publisher URL: https://jcom.sissa.it/archive/16/04/JCOM_1604_2017_A03