Citizen Science

Last updated on Jul 19, 2024

Definition: Citizen science refers to projects that actively involve the general public in the scientific endeavour, with the goal of democratizing science . Citizen scientists can be involved in all stages of research, acting as collaborators, contributors or project leaders. An example of a major citizen science project involved individuals identifying astronomical bodies (Lintott, 2008).

Related terms: Crowd science, Crowdsourcing Alternative definition: (if applicable) In the past, citizen science mostly referred to volunteers who participate as field assistants in scientific studies (Cohn, 2008, p. 193). Alternative definition: (if applicable) In the past, citizen science mostly referred to v olunteers who participate as field assistants in scientific studies (Cohn, 2008, p. 193) .

Reference: Cohn (2008); European Citizen Science Association (2015); Lintott (2008)

Drafted and Reviewed by: Mahmoud Elsherif; Ana Barbosa Mendes, Gisela H. Govaart, Tamara Kalandadze, Dominik Kiersz, Charlotte R. Pennington, Robert M. Ross

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