What does a citizen science project look like? Three simple project models for increased researcher participation

While many fields have embraced citizen science to enhance and expand data acquisition and public reach, others remain cautious. This hesitancy could stem from questions about project design, setup and infrastructure. What... [ view full abstract ]

While many fields have embraced citizen science to enhance and expand data acquisition and public reach, others remain cautious. This hesitancy could stem from questions about project design, setup and infrastructure. What could citizen science projects look like? Which project designs are well-suited for public participation? How can project design ensure high-quality data? As examples, the fields of ethology (animal behavior) and canine science both have the potential for substantial public involvement due to the public’s interest in animals, specifically wildlife and companion animals. On the whole, these fields do not frequently incorporate traditional public participation projects. Established citizen project frameworks allow researchers to examine and incorporate effective public participation approaches into their research. Further, elucidating clear project models can aid researchers’ understanding of the benefits and challenges presented by melding scientific research with public participation. Here, I discuss notable citizen science project models, clarifying potential advantages and pitfalls of each. Project models include: 1) volunteers collect and provide data, and researchers receive volunteer-interpreted data but do not interact with the raw data; 2) volunteers collect and provide data, and researchers view and analyze the raw data; and 3) researchers provide content, and volunteers evaluate it. Some projects may incorporate multiple models. Additionally, canine science currently relies on dog owners and their dogs for passive or active study involvement, and I will discuss whether this participant-facilitated approach constitutes citizen science or traditional subject recruitment. Ultimately, discrete public participation project models can help researchers expand the scope and scale of their work while benefiting public participants.