Data
Our research involves the collection and generation of a wealth of data which we can analyze to obtain insight into our research questions.
Quantitative data includes the length of time each project runs and the timing of major milestones (e.g., timing of different stages of scientific inquiry), as well as location data regarding where different events take place. We will record the number of times each participant contributes to NN, total number of design ideas submitted, total number of nature preserve observations submitted, length of discussion threads for each activity, and the number of design ideas implemented. Much of this data will be extracted from diaries that will be kept by the naturalists, educators, and technology specialist at the partner sites and from automatic logs generated by NN, which record time stamps and location coordinates where photos, comments, and sounds were recorded, as well as interaction data that shows who did what and when.
Qualitative data includes observational data (e.g., videos of the participatory design and reflection sessions; diaries kept by our partners at the three sites, interviews with individuals and focus groups), artifacts (e.g., NN development logs that record the emergent designs from the three communities captured by developers at recorded times, as well as digital photographs, archived versions of NN, and notes). Scaffolding that helps participants move from one stage of scientific inquiry to the next will be examined through field notes and video data of interactions that will help us to understand the support needed for participants as they progress in their projects.
You can track the use of NatureNet through real-time visualizations at: http://viz.nature-net.org/
Quantitative data includes the length of time each project runs and the timing of major milestones (e.g., timing of different stages of scientific inquiry), as well as location data regarding where different events take place. We will record the number of times each participant contributes to NN, total number of design ideas submitted, total number of nature preserve observations submitted, length of discussion threads for each activity, and the number of design ideas implemented. Much of this data will be extracted from diaries that will be kept by the naturalists, educators, and technology specialist at the partner sites and from automatic logs generated by NN, which record time stamps and location coordinates where photos, comments, and sounds were recorded, as well as interaction data that shows who did what and when.
Qualitative data includes observational data (e.g., videos of the participatory design and reflection sessions; diaries kept by our partners at the three sites, interviews with individuals and focus groups), artifacts (e.g., NN development logs that record the emergent designs from the three communities captured by developers at recorded times, as well as digital photographs, archived versions of NN, and notes). Scaffolding that helps participants move from one stage of scientific inquiry to the next will be examined through field notes and video data of interactions that will help us to understand the support needed for participants as they progress in their projects.
You can track the use of NatureNet through real-time visualizations at: http://viz.nature-net.org/