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The Influence of Scientists’ Communication on Citizen Scientists’ Identity Formation and Engagement in Health Research

Sun, May 28, 15:30 to 16:45, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Floor: 3, Aqua 313

Abstract

Language is a marker of intergroup identities. Scientists use language to reflect their group identity, but it can prevent members of other speech communities from understanding the content. The purpose of this study was to examine whether a scientist’s language influenced a citizen scientist’s identity and engagement in health research through the lens of the Communication Theory of Identity. The researcher conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with nine citizen scientists at a large research intensive university. Results indicated that a scientist’s intergroup language reinforced a citizen scientist’s identity, desire to accommodate to a scientist’s language, and engagement level in research. In contrast, citizen scientists expressed that a scientist’s interpersonal language, which was characterized as impersonal and formal, decreased a citizen scientist’s engagement in research. These results indicate that a citizen scientist’s perspective of a scientist’s intergroup or interpersonal identity influences their perceived identity and engagement level in health research.

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