Public Participation in Research: Input Desired

May 27th, 2008 by Rick Bonney

As Wendy Pollock mentioned in her last post, one of the first CAISE Inquiry Groups is examining the topic of “Public Participation in Research.” Specifically this group is examining the many informal science education programs, projects, and activities that have been developed over the past two decades to involve the public directly in the multifaceted and iterative processes of scientific investigation. Such efforts have been called citizen science, community science, civic science, and participatory action research, among others. These projects allow participants to generate scientific knowledge, learn science content and process, and experience the fun and excitement of research.

The PPR Inquiry Group seeks to (1) identify and describe the range of ISE projects and activities in which the public is involved in various stages of research; 2) understand and describe the scientific and educational impacts of these projects; 3) make recommendations for conceptualizing and developing future ISE activities that will enhance public participation in research; 4) determine the ways in which current and recommended approaches align with and are supported by NSF-funded projects; and 5) make recommendations targeted toward funders with respect to the types and characteristics of public participation projects to consider in the future.

Many community science projects focus on data collection. In fact, scientific investigations include many processes, steps, or activities in which the public can be involved. These include: Choosing or defining questions for study; Gathering information and resources; developing explanations (hypotheses) about possible answers to questions; designing data collection methodologies (both experimental and observational); collecting data; analyzing data; interpreting data and drawing conclusions; disseminating conclusions; and discussing results and asking new questions. We are interested in projects that expand the typical view of public participation into any or all of these areas.

Some specific questions we’re asking include:

• What are new and innovative ways in which non-scientists are contributing to or doing research?
• What are models for public-scientist interaction around scientific research?
• How do radio, television, museum visits, and other ISE experiences facilitate or push the boundaries of public participation in research?

We would very much like to hear from the field with thoughts, leads, publication references, and/or case studies to inform this inquiry. Later in the process we will be soliciting input from the field on our findings and recommendations. Please help!

Send input to Inquiry Group Leader Rick Bonney at reb5@cornell.edu. Also, post your thoughts on this blog!

Entry Filed under: Inquiry Groups