Hi Mia,

You know exactly what I'm talking about because you were all jazzed after attending Science Rewired (and covered the experience here ), and a while back, I listed some of my favorite #citsci projects, including projects involving laughing babies, otters and clouds.









But what about dogs? Much of the canine research in recent years is conducted in academic lab spaces or owner homes, but over the last few years, we’ve seen immense growth in virtual, online projects that require active participation from anyone in the world. As examples, we've previously blogged about Poo Power! For those less familiar with public participation science projects, here’s a short, quick and dirty video describing the wide range of projects that anyone can join. Being involved is not only about participating in research and helping researchers, it's also about learning more about local communities, collecting relevant data (say on air quality in your neighborhood), and in some cases, making new discoveries:Much of the canine research in recent years is conducted in academic lab spaces or owner homes, but over the last few years, we’ve seen immense growth in virtual, online projects that require active participation from anyone in the world. As examples, we've previously blogged about Project: Play With Your Dog as well as





Here are online, public participation dog science projects that anyone in the world can join:





(Free)

A questionnaire designed to provide dog owners and professionals with standardized evaluations of canine temperament and behavior.

(Free)

What is the emotional content of dog and human vocalizations? Listen and submit your answer (I covered this study on Scientific American, dedicating a lot of words to making fun of

Bret Michaels, as is appropriate).

(Free)

The Canid Howl Project is the work of a large number of scientists, trying to understand the range of different vocal behaviours of canids, primarily wolves, dogs, and coyotes. Participants listen to vocalizations and analyze the recordings.

The Woof! experiment explores how people respond to dog barks. The study is trying to better understand how we respond to everyday sounds.

(Free)





Factors contributing to aggressive impulsivity in the dogs This online study investigates how descriptors and physical appearance affect shelter dog length of stay and adoption success. Participants help by tagging images of dogs.

(Free)

This is a serious welfare problem for both humans and dogs. PhD student Fernanda Fadel is trying to identify genetic risk factors in dogs which may allow researchers to develop a simple test to identify at-risk individuals. These dogs may need specific management measures to help them live happy and fulfilling lives, at minimal risk to others. Participate by completing a short questionnaire.

Canine Researchers! Do you have an online, public participation project that we haven't listed here? Email us, and let us know! doyoubelieveindog@gmail.com

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Projects often revolve around researchers and participants, and each group can have slightly different needs.

RESEARCHERS! I imagine that many of our colleagues are looking for study participants. Hooking up with citizen science project aggregators, like those listed below, is a great way to find interested participants. Researchers spend months and months on project design and methods, but recruiting and engaging participants is an entirely different bag of worms. Some of the below websites focus on participant recruitment and engagement. For example,



PARTICIPANTS! It's not just about dogs, although dogs are very excellent. Many public science projects need help collecting and analyzing data on a wide range of topics. Interested in plants? Interested in birds? Interested in whale vocalizations? There's something for everyone. Take a look below:



I imagine that many of our colleagues are looking for study participants. Hooking up with citizen science project aggregators, like those listed below, is a great way to find interested participants. Researchers spend months and months on project design and methods, but recruiting and engaging participants is an entirely different bag of worms. Some of the below websites focus on participant recruitment and engagement. For example, SciStarter has many tools and resources for citizen science projects seeking participants.It's not just about dogs, although dogs are very excellent. Many public science projects need help collecting and analyzing data on a wide range of topics. Interested in plants? Interested in birds? Interested in whale vocalizations? There's something for everyone. Take a look below:

“SciStarter is the place to find, join, and contribute to science through recreational activities and citizen science research projects. Our database of citizen science projects enable discovery, organization, and greater participation in citizen science.”





CitSci.org

“CitSci.org supports your research by providing tools and resources that allow you to customize your scientific procedure - all in one location on the internet." “CitSci.org supports your research by providing tools and resources that allow you to customize your scientific procedure - all in one location on the internet."





Zooniverse "Anyone who watches birds, from backyards to city streets to remote forests, can help researchers better understand birds and their habits."





Scientific American "Zooniverse contains projects produced, maintained and developed by the Citizen Science Alliance. The member institutions of the CSA work with many academic and other partners around the world to produce projects that use the efforts and ability of volunteers to help scientists and researchers."





Your Wild Life An aggregator of many public engagement projects.

Many projects that "explore the biodiversity in our daily lives." I’m pretty psyched about the new Cat Tracker project





These are just a sampling of non-canine projects flying around the Internet. If anyone has contributed to public participation projects, we'd love to hear about your experience.





See you in T minus 2 weeks!!!!

Julie





