Smartphone citizen science for turtles: identifying motives, usage patterns and reasons why citizens stop participating

Abstract

Citizen science has become popular for data collection in ecology and environmental management. However, most participants in citizen science projects are only involved for a short period of time. Understanding the reasons behind this dropout rate is important for improving long term participation. Here we investigated participation rates in TurtleSAT, an Australian turtle mapping app aimed at collecting data useful for conservation efforts. First, we looked at the TurtleSAT database to examine the number of participants and how many sightings each had uploaded. Then, we distributed an online questionnaire to all TurtleSAT participants and asked what inspired them to participate, if they found the app easy to use, and whether they were still active in the project. Out of 75 respondents, 21 said they were currently not active participants. Their reasons for not participating anymore included lack of time, technical issues, and a perception of high turtle abundance that indicated conservation efforts are unnecessary. The motives that originally inspired their participation were not significantly linked to them leaving the project. We propose possible solutions to some of the issues identified, such as offering online tutorials and a hotline to solve technical issues, a more direct link from the TurtleSAT app to news and academic articles regarding turtles, and establishing an online forum to maintain engagement.

Changes in participant behaviour and attitudes are associated with knowledge and skills gained by using a turtle conservation citizen science app

“…However, we found that this type of citizen science still has the potential to inspire positive change despite its limitations, and could be improved by strategically including learning objectives in the data collection process. Creating a more direct link between social media, the project's website and the scientific literature might render information more accessible (Santori et al., 2020). Organising workshops on specific scientific skills, such as species identification, might support the skill improvement that currently is limited.…”

“…A separate set of questions within the same questionnaire was analysed in Santori et al. (2020) to determine the reasons why participants left the TurtleSAT app after initial use.…”

Community‐based population monitoring for large baleen whales: the case study of Bryde's whale in Beibu Gulf of China

“…Mobile apps have played a positive role in citizen science projects, but the cost of regular software maintenance and management, maintaining volunteer enthusiasm, and the persistence of report data are challenges with using mobile apps (Liebenberg et al 2017;Hann et al 2018;Andrachuk et al 2019;Santori et al 2020). For the time being, community-based approaches can be somewhat easier to manage by directly engaging the interest of citizen scientists and obtaining positive feedback.…”

“…2019; Santori et al . 2020). For the time being, community‐based approaches can be somewhat easier to manage by directly engaging the interest of citizen scientists and obtaining positive feedback.…”