How Does Citizen Science Compare to Online Survey Panels? A Comparison of Food Knowledge and Perceptions Between the Zooniverse, Prolific and Qualtrics UK Panels

With an increasing focus on the uptake of healthy and sustainable diets, a growing body of research has explored consumer perceptions and understanding of the environmental impacts and safety of foods. However, this body of research has used a wide range of methods to recruit participants, which can influence the results obtained. The current research explores the impact of different recruitment methods upon observed estimations of the carbon footprint (gCO2e), energy content (Kcal), food safety and animal using three different online recruitment platforms; Qualtrics (N = 397), Prolific (N = 407), Zooniverse (N~601, based on unique IP addresses). Qualtrics and Prolific participants rated the carbon footprint, energy content, food safety and animal welfare of all foods in the survey. Zooniverse citizens rated the carbon footprint or energy content then food safety or animal welfare of all foods in the survey. Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square analyses compared the energy content and carbon footprint estimations with validated values, and differences in estimate accuracy and perceptions between recruitment methods. Participants were unable to accurately estimate the carbon footprint and energy content of foods. The carbon footprint of all foods were overestimated, with the exception of beef and lamb which was underestimated. The calorie content of fruits and vegetables are typically overestimated. Perceptions of animal welfare and food safety differed by recruitment method. Zooniverse citizens rated animal welfare standards to be lower for meat products and eggs, compared to Qualtrics and Prolific participants. Overall, Qualtrics participants typically held the highest food risk perceptions, however this varied by food type. The lack of knowledge about the carbon footprint and energy content of foods demonstrates the need for consumer education and communication to enable the move toward healthier and more sustainable diets. Perceptions of food safety and animal welfare demonstrate a baseline from which to develop consumer focused communications and governance. We have shown that different recruitment tools can result in differences in observed perceptions. This highlights the need to carefully consider the recruitment tool being used in research when assessing participant knowledge and perceptions

The Importance of Citizen Scientists in the Move Towards Sustainable Diets and a Sustainable Food System

To enhance sustainability, the food system requires significant shifts in the production, processing and supply of food. Ideally, a sustainable food system should operate, not only to protect the biosphere, but also to provide nutritious, high-quality food, and to support social values, an equitable economy, and human and animal health. It should also be governed responsibly within a supportive policy environment. Implementing these shifts is a task of immense scale; but citizen participation/engagement has the potential to help make sustainability a reality through distributed learning, dynamic sensing, and knowledge generation. Technological advancements in sensing and data processing have enabled new forms of citizen participation in research. When food system research is embedded within society it can help us to understand which changes towards sustainability work and which do not. Indeed, citizen engagement in food systems research has the potential to help bring citizens on side, supporting the growth of a food culture of resilience and of sustainable practises (including dietary change). This commentary provides examples of how existing research and alternative food production systems and agroecological practises may provide possible frameworks for citizen participation in food system studies. We highlight potential future food and citizen science approaches. Widening citizen participation and encouraging the involvement of other food system actors, including those in local, national and international governance, is essential to capture the full potential of citizen science in enabling transition to a sustainable food system. For the research community citizen science offers engagement and empowerment of wider communities with science; collecting and analysing data; and creating viable solutions to food system and diet issues

Money makes the world go 'round - and so does water? : the role of primary and secondary reinforcers in an ultimatum bargaining experiment

Astrid KauseKlagenfurt, Alpen-Adria-Univ., Dipl.-Arb., 2012(VLID)241511

DATASETs for 'How do normative feedback and factual information interventions motivate behavior change in shower length and meat consumption? A longitudinal experimental study'

Climate change is a politically and economically pressing issue, but changes in behaviors with high climate impact are adopted slowly. Because information interventions can facilitate such changes, it is important to understand the effectiveness of different information interventions regarding change. In a 4-wave longitudinal experimental study with members of the German general public, we explored the efficacy of information interventions for changing two behaviors with high climate impact: shower length and frequency of meat consumption. Participants either (i) received normative feedback about the behaviors’ prevalence in the general population, (ii) factual information about greenhouse gas emissions associated with those behaviors, (iii) both kinds of information, or (iv) neither (control). We also assessed initial behavior relative to other participants, perceived difficulty of change, perceived visibility of behaviors in one's social environments, environmental worldviews and attitudes, Numeracy, and demographic variables (age, sex, education). Other dependent variables assessed in response to information interventions were clicks on links about food/ household carbon footprints, and intentions to change

Uncertainty visuals

The study examined uncertainty communications (precise risk estimate, imprecise or conflicting estimates, lack of evidence) using different display formats (tables, bar graphs, icon arrays)

Questionnaires study 1 (communicators) and study 2 (listeners)

The file contains the questionnaire wordings for all measures used in this projec