Developing a conceptual model of virtual organisations for citizen science. (15th September 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wiggins, Andrea; Crowston, Kevin
• Is Part Of: International journal of organisational design and engineering. Volume 1:Number 1/2(2010)
• Page Start: 148
• Page End: 162
• Publication Date: 2010-09-15
• Subjects: conceptual models -- virtual organisations -- citizen science -- cyberinfrastructure -- massive virtual collaboration -- theory development -- scientific knowledge production -- organisational design -- collaborative research -- scientific research -- public participation -- internet -- web based collaboration; Management information systems -- Periodicals; Computer engineering -- Periodicals; 658.4038011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-9797

Abstract

This paper develops an organisation design-oriented conceptual model of scientific knowledge production through citizen science virtual organisations. Citizen science is a form of organisation design for collaborative scientific research involving scientists and volunteers, for which internet-based modes of participation enable massive virtual collaboration by thousands of members of the public. The conceptual model provides an example of a theory development process and discusses its application to an exploratory study. The paper contributes a multi-level process model for organising investigation into the impact of design on this form of scientific knowledge production.