Pete, I feel that you are misunderstanding me.  I was replying to this
comment that you made:

> It gives you a sense that you are "doing something for the bees" when you
aren't.

I thought that you were referring to "the bees" as a species, and that you
were saying that Citizen Scientists thought that they were doing something
to save the species.  I concur with Walter that becoming a beekeeper with
the motivation of "saving the bees" will likely do the species more harm
than good.

My point was that Apis mellifera as a species is not at risk of going
extinct.  The sort of research for which beekeepers are being asked to
assist in generally falls into one of two categories:

1.  That of data collection or trials for groups such as Bee Informed, or
by a university, or
2.  Field testing for a private party wishing to develop a product for sale
to beekeepers, to be marketed (rightfully or wrongly) as being of benefit
to the beekeeper for increasing the health or survivorship of their
colonies.

As one who has performed quite a bit of both sorts of research, I concur
with Pete that one should carefully vet the motivations of, and proposed
protocol of the entity asking for your assistance.  I personally reject
most proposals that I receive as being either ill conceived, poorly
developed, or without adequate preliminary supportive data.

I have not seen Pat's proposals, so cannot comment on them.  But in
general, I am a strong supporter of citizen science, provided that it is
performed with good guidance.  I've posted some tips at my website at
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/tips-for-citizen-scientists/

--
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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