ENHANCING VOLUNTEERS’ INTENTION TO ENGAGE IN CITIZEN SCIENCE: THE ROLES OF SELF-EFFICACY, SATISFACTION AND SCIENCE TRUST

Abstract

This research was carried out at the Science Volunteer Program 2018, which is run by Taiwan’s Ministry of Science and Technology. The purpose of the research was to understand the effects of self-efficacy, satisfaction, and science trust on science volunteers’ intention to continue volunteering. The research drew on the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) to test how social cognitive variables affect volunteers’ intention to continue engaging in events and with organizations. A total of 156 volunteers taking part in the program completed a questionnaire measuring Self-efficacy, Satisfaction, Trust, and Intention. A structural equation model (SEM) was developed, and the proposed effects on the variables were tested using SEM procedures. The results of the SEM analysis found that there were positive effects between (a) Self-efficacy and Satisfaction, (b) Self-efficacy and Intention, (c) Satisfaction and Intention, and (d) Trust and Intention. The discussion highlights implications for science volunteer managers who are not only in a position to increase volunteers’ behavioral intention to continue their engagement in volunteer work, but also to facilitate interventions to boost volunteering in Taiwan. Keywords: citizen science, science volunteers, social cognitive career theory, structural equation model