Wtimpact

Knowledge transfer from research results into public is integral part of scientific research. Insight into research is meant to promote knowledge of scientific inquiry and positive attitudes towards science. Therefore, citizens are invited to participate in research. Public participation in research is known as Citizen Science. However, effects of Citizen Science on knowledge and attitudes development are contradictory and conditions of successful participation are yet unknown.

The project aims to develop and evaluate a transfer tool that bases upon collaborative knowledge development between scientists and the public. For this purpose the expertise of researchers from the natural sciences and from educational sciences are brought together. The IPN’s sub-project will identify effects of this transfer tool on scientific knowledge, epistemological beliefs, and attitudes towards the natural sciences of the public. Therefor we will conduct in-depth field studies. In addition, for validation of the transfer tool, laboratory experiments under controlled conditions will be performed. If the expected effects will occur the instrument will in the long run be applied to other scientific content fields and used for further science communication. Secondary, this sub-project will elucidate new options to foster scientific literacy throughout the public, in schools, and informal learning settings.

In cooperation with the project partners an internet based transfer tool will be developed and applied to three best-practice-examples. In the IPN sub-project test instruments are adapted and designed to assess knowledge (according to the contents of the best-practice-examples), scientific literacy, and attitudes towards the natural sciences. In field as well as in experimental laboratory studies under controlled conditions effects of the transfer tool on these variables are measured. A synopsis will combine the findings of all project partners and recommendations for the application of the transfer tool will be derived.

Publications:

Greving, H., Bruckermann, T., & Kimmerle, J. (2020). This is my project! The influence of involvement on psychological ownership and wildlife conservation. Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology, 1, 100001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cresp.2020.100001

Participating institutes

The project is headed by Prof. Dr. Ute Harms (Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education), Prof. Dr. Heribert Hofer (Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research), Apl. Prof. Dr. Joachim Kimmerle (Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien) und Prof. Dr. Andreas Macke (Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research).

Department of Biology Education, IPN
Prof. Dr. Ute Harms
Dr. Till Bruckermann

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research
Prof. Dr. Heribert Hofer
Dr. Miriam Brandt
Dr. Milena Stillfried
Dr. Tanja Straka
Sophia Kimmig
Dr. Robert Hagen
Julia Lorenz
Dr. Daniel Lewanzik

Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien
Apl. Prof. Dr. Joachim Kimmerle
Dr. Hannah Greving

Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research

Prof. Dr. Andreas Macke
Dr. Birgit Heese
Dr. Thomas Müller
Dr. Liina Tõnisson
Dr. Jens Voigtländer
Dr. Denise Assmann