Multimédia Interativa no Projeto 2Qua para Envolver a Comunidade na Conservação de Albufeiras

Abstract

The preservation of aquatic ecosystems is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Reservoirs, in particular, are sensitive systems whose ecological quality depends substantially on the active involvement of local communities in their monitoring and conservation. However, the disconnect between the scientific knowledge produced and its communication to non-specialist audiences remains a structural gap in the conservation strategy for these water resources. This dissertation, developed within the scope of the 2Qua project, dedicated to assessing the quality and quantity of water in the Aguieira and Alto Rabadão reservoirs, aims to create, evaluate and iterate an interactive multimedia resource that promotes environmental literacy and motivates citizen participation in the conservation of the Aguieira Reservoir. The motivation for this work stems from the convergence between the researcher's academic background and the communication needs identified by the 2Qua project, namely the absence of accessible, interactive and appropriate science communication tools for the local non-specialist public. Drawing on an in-depth literature review on digital science communication through different types of multimedia resources, Virtual Reality, video and video games, the first version of the framework was developed, an original instrument that systematises the characteristics a multimedia resource must possess to communicate science effectively. The framework was developed iteratively across two versions: the initial version (v1) emerged from the literature review, and the final version (v2) resulted from the evaluation of the prototype by the expert panel. In its final version, the framework is organised into six interdependent dimensions, Content (Credibility, Adequacy), Narrative (Structure, Mediator, Quality), Interaction (Immersion, Learning), Conation (Affectivity, Motivation), Usability (Accessibility, Navigation) and Citizen Science (Engagement, Continuity), comprising a total of thirteen sub-dimensions operationalised through design definitions and recommendations grounded in the literature review, and applicable across any multimedia format for environmental science communication. The research adopts a Design-Based Research (DBR) methodology, qualitative and iterative in nature. The development process began with a co-creation phase involving the 2Qua project researchers and a field trip to the Aguieira Reservoir, which allowed the researcher to understand, in a real context, the water sampling and analysis procedures. Based on this experience and the resulting narrative script, two prototypes were developed in Figma: a Low-Fi prototype, consisting of digital wireframes that defined the resource's structure and navigation, and a Mid-Fi prototype, an interactive narrative integrating real photographs captured in the field and laboratory. The immersive Virtual Reality component was simulated in a complementary way through 360° videos, allowing the user to observe the plankton net underwater and visualise microplastics as if operating a microscope. Data collection drew on two methodologies, Cognitive Walkthrough and Participatory Observation, applied to five participants with distinct profiles: one researcher from the 2Qua project, two Multimedia students and two Science Communication and Education students. The usability tests carried out on the Mid-Fi prototype made it possible to identify response patterns distributed across the six dimensions and thirteen sub-dimensions of the framework. The dimensions of Usability and Content recorded the highest consensus among participants, with observations spanning the sub-dimensions of Accessibility, Navigation, Credibility and Adequacy, constituting the priority areas for intervention. The dimensions of Narrative and Interaction revealed suggestions of greater conceptual depth, particularly regarding Narrative Structure, the Mediator and Immersion, while Conation and Citizen Science point towards innovative directions, especially within the sub-dimensions of Affectivity and Engagement, that may distinguish the resource within the existing landscape of environmental science communication materials. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework constitutes a useful instrument for guiding the development and evaluation of multimedia science communication resources. The iteration of the prototype based on the collected data informs the High-Fi development phase, aiming for a resource that not only informs, but also fosters environmental responsibility and the community's intention to participate in the conservation of the Aguieira Reservoir.