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Peer-reviewed article

Using eBird to Integrate Citizen Science Into an Undergraduate Ecology Field Laboratory

December 1, 2012 | Public Programs, Informal/Formal Connections

Encouraging nonprofessionals to participate in ecological research through citizen science programs is a recent innovation and an effective strategy for gathering ecological information across broad geographical areas. In this paper, we demonstrate how reporting field-based observations through eBird, a citizen-based birding and data-recording program, can be used as a lab activity in an undergraduate ecology class. This exercise exposes students to worldwide data collecting networks in which non-scientific communities serve as major stakeholders. This lab activity also introduces basic field techniques in ornithology and allows students to answer inquiry-based research questions using a citizen science database.

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  • Thilina Surasinghe
    Author
    Clemson University
  • Jason Courter
    Author
    Clemson University
  • Citation

    ISSN : 1539-2422
    Publication Name: Bioscene
    Volume: 38
    Number: 2
    Page Number: 17
    Resource Type: Research Products
    Discipline: Ecology, forestry, and agriculture | Education and learning science | Life science
    Audience: Undergraduate/Graduate Students | General Public | Educators/Teachers | Museum/ISE Professionals | Scientists
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Citizen Science Programs | Informal/Formal Connections | Higher Education Programs

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