USING THE FUTURES CONSCIOUSNESS TEST
The Five Dimensions concept of FC could be applicable to many areas of research and education.
The test has customisable features accessible through a user dashboard, including the possibility to configure your own questions in addition to the base FC test. The results gathered within a research group can be aggregated by the tool or the data can be downloaded and analysed using third party software. The individual test takers will also receive their own profiles at the end of the test. The profile page will look like this.
Security and integrity of the data is ensured by allowing only registered users to setup test groups. Furthermore, researchers at the Finland Futures Research Centre curate the database. Technical support is provided by the University of Turku. This support is, however, limited due to available resources. Therefore we encourage users to actively refer to the User Guide and FAQs when encountering problems.
We charge all users a database management fee, see Pricing. The funds collected with the fee provide for the maintenance and development of this database.
GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation
We do not collect or process personal data. When configuring their own additional questions, test users are also required to comply with GDPR.
Research
The FC Test Tool, FC Test and Five Dimensions of Future Consciousness conceptual framework provide the basis for collecting empirical data and measuring the Futures Consciousness of individuals. Over time, responses collected in this global database can also provide interesting avenues for further research. By incorporating FC Test in your research set-up, you could, for example
- Study the futures consciousness of your test subject.
- Study the underlying conditions and sources of futures consciousness at the individual level.
- Study the effect of futures consciousness on behaviour.
- Study the relationship between futures consciousness and other psychological phenomena.
- Study the impacts of future oriented interventions, such as training courses or educational programmes. It should be noted that there is not yet enough research available to evaluate the suitability of the test as a measure of pre & post impacts.
Education
The FC Test has significant potential for use in futures oriented education. The test measures dispositions and abilities that can be developed with awareness raising and practise of future oriented thinking. Therefore the FC Test is suitable for use as an educational tool. Examples of its use include using the results as:
- First assignment in a futures course and then structuring all lessons according to the five dimensions.
- Pre-assignment to a course or a workshop and then group discussions at the start of the course.
- Part of a plenary presentation asking participants to take the test and showing average result of the group to the audience.
Practitioners
The FC Scale could also be utilised by transdisciplinary practitioners, either as an element of their service for their clients, or integrated into their own continuing professional development (CPD) process. Examples of implementation include:
- Awareness raising regarding the importance of future-oriented thinking in all fields of activity.
- Adjusting communication style based on the FC awareness of their audience/clients.
- Understanding and assessing client needs and their readiness for futures activities.
- Identifying space for personal development.