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First published online October 7, 2015

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Can citizen science enhance public understanding of science?

Rick Bonney [email protected], Tina B. Phillips, […], Heidi L. Ballard, and Jody W. Enck+1View all authors and affiliations

Volume 25, Issue 1

https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662515607406

Abstract
References
Biographies

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, thousands of citizen science projects engaging millions of participants in collecting and/or processing data have sprung up around the world. Here we review documented outcomes from four categories of citizen science projects which are defined by the nature of the activities in which their participants engage – Data Collection, Data Processing, Curriculum-based, and Community Science. We find strong evidence that scientific outcomes of citizen science are well documented, particularly for Data Collection and Data Processing projects. We find limited but growing evidence that citizen science projects achieve participant gains in knowledge about science knowledge and process, increase public awareness of the diversity of scientific research, and provide deeper meaning to participants’ hobbies. We also find some evidence that citizen science can contribute positively to social well-being by influencing the questions that are being addressed and by giving people a voice in local environmental decision making. While not all citizen science projects are intended to achieve a greater degree of public understanding of science, social change, or improved science -society relationships, those projects that do require effort and resources in four main categories: (1) project design, (2) outcomes measurement, (3) engagement of new audiences, and (4) new directions for research.

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Biographies

Rick Bonney develops and guides projects in which the public actively participates in scientific investigation and studies the impacts of public participation in research. He is director of the Public Engagement in Science program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Tina B. Phillips studies how authentic experiences with science influence affective, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes among citizen science participants. She is manager of research and evaluation for the Public Engagement in Science program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Heidi L. Ballard’s research focuses on studying how and what people learn by participating in authentic environmental research and monitoring and in understanding the ways in which individuals can learn and use science for conservation and community development. She is an associate professor of environmental science education at the University of California, Davis.

Jody W. Enck studies the relationships between people and nature. He often collaborates with staff from government agencies and conservation non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help research inform decision-making regarding natural resources. He is a researcher in the Public Engagement in Science program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

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