• Libraries
    • Log in to:
    View Item 
    •   MSpace Home
    • University of Manitoba Researchers
    • University of Manitoba Scholarship
    • View Item
    •   MSpace Home
    • University of Manitoba Researchers
    • University of Manitoba Scholarship
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Citizen science applied to building healthier community environments: advancing the field through shared construct and measurement development

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    12966_2017_Article_588.pdf (917.0Kb)
    Date
    2017-09-29
    Author
    Hinckson, Erica
    Schneider, Margaret
    Winter, Sandra J
    Stone, Emily
    Puhan, Milo
    Stathi, Afroditi
    Porter, Michelle M
    Gardiner, Paul A
    dos Santos, Daniela L
    Wolff, Andrea
    King, Abby C
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Abstract Background Physical inactivity across the lifespan remains a public health issue for many developed countries. Inactivity has contributed considerably to the pervasiveness of lifestyle diseases. Government, national and local agencies and organizations have been unable to systematically, and in a coordinated way, translate behavioral research into practice that makes a difference at a population level. One approach for mobilizing multi-level efforts to improve the environment for physical activity is to engage in a process of citizen science. Citizen Science here is defined as a participatory research approach involving members of the public working closely with research investigators to initiate and advance scientific research projects. However, there are no common measures or protocols to guide citizen science research at the local community setting. Objectives We describe overarching categories of constructs that can be considered when designing citizen science projects expected to yield multi-level interventions, and provide an example of the citizen science approach to promoting PA. We also recommend potential measures across different levels of impact. Discussion Encouraging some consistency in measurement across studies will potentially accelerate the efficiency with which citizen science participatory research provides new insights into and solutions to the behaviorally-based public health issues that drive most of morbidity and mortality. The measures described in this paper abide by four fundamental principles specifically selected for inclusion in citizen science projects: feasibility, accuracy, propriety, and utility. The choice of measures will take into account the potential resources available for outcome and process evaluation. Our intent is to emphasize the importance for all citizen science participatory projects to follow an evidence-based approach and ensure that they incorporate an appropriate assessment protocol. Conclusions We provided the rationale for and a list of contextual factors along with specific examples of measures to encourage consistency among studies that plan to use a citizen science participatory approach. The potential of this approach to promote health and wellbeing in communities is high and we hope that we have provided the tools needed to optimally promote synergistic gains in knowledge across a range of Citizen Science participatory projects.
    URI
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0588-6
    http://hdl.handle.net/1993/32656
    Collections
    • Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management Scholarly Works [29]
    • University of Manitoba Scholarship [1952]

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2016  DuraSpace
    Contact Us | Send Feedback
    Theme by 
    Atmire NV
     

     

    Browse

    All of MSpaceCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    Login

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2016  DuraSpace
    Contact Us | Send Feedback
    Theme by 
    Atmire NV