Motivations and Benefits of Citizen ScientistsEngaged in Purple Martin Migration Research

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Hvenegaard, Glen T
  • Fraser, Laura

• Citizen science projects involve non-professionals (e.g., community members) actively contributing to authentic scientific research (Dickinson et al., 2012). Participation in citizen science projects can benefit participants, researchers, and local communities (Dickinson & Bonney, 2012). Participants can increase knowledge, develop interest in related environmental issues, connect to the location of research, understand the scientific process better, develop ecological literacy, and engage in environmentally-conscious behavior (Jordan, Gray, Howe, Brooks, & Ehrenfeld, 2011). Conrad and Hilchey (2011) called for more case studies examining the variety of benefits associated with citizen science. To help attract and retain participants (Dickinson et al., 2012), this study sought to understand the motivations and perceived benefits of citizen scientists involved in a scientific research project examining the migration dynamics of Purple Martins (Progne subis; Fraser et al., 2012). Purple Martins, the largest swallow species nesting in North America, migrate to Brazil each year.

• Date created

  2014-11-01

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Purple Martin
  • Brazil
  • Citizen science
  • Swallow

• Type of Item

  Article (Draft / Submitted)

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-8q1c-ft10

• License

  Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International