RESEARCH PROJECT OPPORTUNITY
Sonia Stephens, Associate Professor of English
University of Central Florida
I’m conducting to study how people use nature identification apps, which are tools whose main purpose is to help people identify species of plants, animals, or fungi. For example, this includes Audubon Bird Guide, iNaturalist, Merlin Bird ID, PlantSnap, and ShroomID. I want to interview people about how they use these apps to identify species, what role apps play in their nature observations, and what they like and dislike about these apps.
The interviews take between 45-60 minutes, and they will be conducted using Zoom web conferencing software. You will be asked questions about your experiences using nature identification apps, how frequently you use them, what role they play in your nature observations, and what you like and dislike about these apps. In order to participate, you will need to have access to a computer or tablet that can download Zoom.
If you are interested in participating, please reply to sonia.stephens@ucf.edu with the following information. I will follow up with a link to an online appointment calendar for scheduling an interview.
- Your name and preferred email address.
- What types of nature observations do you usually make?
- Which nature identification apps do you use?
You must be 18 years of age or older and able to speak and read English to take part in this research study. You must also be someone who uses plant or animal identification apps when observing nature.
This study has been approved by the UCF Institutional Review Board. If you have questions or concerns about this study, or want to participate, please contact me at sonia.stephens@ucf.edu.
