Participation of elderly rural citizens in the Living Lab MOSAIC: Protocol for a longitudinal mixed-method study (Preprint)

Abstract

The third generation of living labs could strengthen innovation and the development of broad social effects. Since August 2022, the rural areas of Chaudiere-Appalaches in Quebec, Canada, have been the site of the living lab MOSAIC. Collaborators involved in this living lab include four stakeholders: seniors and their families, representatives of the community, representatives of service providers, researchers. A facilitating team organizes the daily life around the living lab. The success of MOSAIC depends on the involvement of rural elderly in the co-creation, implementation, and sustainability of social innovations. Little is known on how to facilitate the participation of rural elderly in living labs.

Our objectives are to offer a better understanding of the participation of rural elderly in the development of an intersectoral rural living lab, to explore the enablers to and challengers of older citizens' full participation in the living lab process, and the adaptations put in place to facilitate their participation.

This is a longitudinal mixed-methods study. We will use scientific methods to make sense of diverse sources of secondary and primary data. We will also conduct semi-structured individual interviews at the end of years 1 and 2 and lengthwise observation. Participants will be the collaborators already involved in MOSAIC as well as the facilitating team.

This study will lead to new findings on the experience of rural seniors participating in a living lab. Additionally, this project will enhance knowledge of the human dynamics involved in establishing a living lab project with elderly rural citizens as well as its implications for epistemology, methodology, and ethics.

Participation of end-users, often rural lay persons, are the terms and conditions of a lot of research and development methods increasingly regarded as valuable. This study will result in fresh insights and cutting-edge knowledge on the challenges faced while co-creating and implementing social innovations with the elderly.