ROLE OF METHODS TRANSPARENCY IN ESTABLISHING TRUSTWORTHINESS IN QUALITATIVE AND SOME MIXED METHODS STUDIES AS DEMONSTRATED IN A CASE STUDY EXPLORING THE SOCIAL PATTERNS OF CITIZEN SCIENTIST ENGAGEMENT

Establishing trustworthiness is a fundamental part of the rigorous inquiry process in geoscience education research studies using qualitative and in some mixed methods approaches. This presentation will outline the data used and decision-making processes from an exploratory case study (EclipseMob 1.0 project as a bounded case), that resulted in the development of a preliminary taxonomy of social patterns of citizen scientist engagement. Multiple data sources (self-report data from participant training event surveys and post-experiment participant surveys; direct observation of build events as recorded in memos) were used to inform the taxonomy’s preliminary development. Methods used to develop the emergent taxonomy and establish the preliminary trustworthiness of the taxonomy will be shared, specifically those that address aspects of credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability. These techniques are rooted in methodological transparency. Plans for further taxonomy development and assessment of trustworthiness will also be discussed. This preliminary taxonomy can be used by those designing citizen science projects to better anticipate their participant support needs and determine the types of support materials to develop for their project.