Title: Developing a conceptual model of virtual organisations for citizen science

Authors: Andrea Wiggins, Kevin Crowston

Addresses: Syracuse University, 337 Hinds Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA. ' Syracuse University, 348 Hinds Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA

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.

Keywords: 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.

DOI: 10.1504/IJODE.2010.035191

International Journal of Organisational Design and Engineering, 2010 Vol.1 No.1/2, pp.148 - 162

Published online: 14 Sep 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article