Linking the motivations and outcomes of volunteers to understand participation in marine community science

To achieve sustained participation, community science projects aim to satisfy the motivations and desired personal outcomes of their volunteers. Evaluating participation is, therefore, crucial, with seeking assess volunteers’ for engagement complex that they through participation. Many assessments have, however, ineffectively examined relationship between how relate wish pursue. Evaluations achieved by volunteers often fail consider whether these were or if aligned motivations, tend narrowly focus on general outcomes, such as developing scientific environmental literacy. Failing link can mean becomes unfulfilling volunteers, desires may not be achieved, lessening likelihood engagement. If satisfaction is accurately understood, assessing full scope in conjunction crucial. We address this research gap conducting a survey (n = 308) participants 8 marine Ireland UK, critically roles, experiences an exploratory factor analysis. find range patterns amongst respondents identify 4 types volunteer profiles: Activists, Conservationists, Professionals Hobbyists. discuss categorising manner better reflect highlight factors support inhibit realisation intentions within specific projects. conclude suggesting understand should broaden evaluative embrace wider motivational pathways, discussing improve both project’s management its capacity realise project outcomes.