Community
Volunteer and Adventure
Wildlife Conservation

GVI’s Guide to Citizen and Community Science

GVI

Posted: March 17, 2023

Citizen science and community science are two important approaches to gathering scientific data. While their aims may be the same, they differ in their methods and overall goals. In order to understand their true potential, it is important to be aware of both the differences and similarities between citizen science and community science.

The Role of Citizen Science in Research

Citizen science is the active involvement of ordinary citizens in scientific projects. By collecting data and observing patterns in the environment around them, citizen scientists are able to contribute significantly to scientific research. Major citizen science initiatives such as eBird and NestWatch allow everyday people to contribute to the understanding of bird populations and nesting habits, while NASA’s Stardust mission relied on participants to find microscopic particles of dust from a distant comet.

Citizen science projects are becoming increasingly popular, as they provide an opportunity for people to become involved in research without needing a scientific background. Citizen scientists can help to fill in gaps in research that would otherwise be difficult to access, such as remote areas or areas with limited resources. Additionally, citizen science projects can help to engage the public in scientific research, increasing public awareness and understanding of scientific topics.

The Benefits of Community Science

Community science is a collective effort for scientific solutions at the community level. This type of grassroots research usually involves community members taking ownership of their environment through data gathering and observational analysis. Community scientists can work directly with municipal governments or environmental organizations to develop strategies for managing resources in their area. It is also possible for community scientists to inform policy decisions, research trends and monitor environmental changes in their communities.

The benefits of community science are numerous. By engaging local stakeholders in the research process, community scientists can ensure that the research is tailored to the specific needs of the community. Additionally, community science can help to bridge the gap between scientific research and the public, allowing for a more informed and engaged citizenry. Finally, community science can help to create a sense of ownership and pride in the community, as citizens are empowered to take an active role in the research process.

Challenges of Citizen Science Projects

The main challenge with citizen science projects is the lack of scientific literacy among its participants. Because the projects demand a certain amount of knowledge and understanding, it is difficult to ensure that those involved are able to properly interpret data and draw meaningful conclusions. Also, it is difficult to establish comprehensive protocols for collecting and analyzing data. As measuring devices become more sophisticated, it is increasingly important for citizen scientists to understand how to use them effectively.

In addition, citizen science projects often rely on volunteers who may not have the same level of commitment as professional scientists. This can lead to data that is incomplete or unreliable, which can make it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the results. Furthermore, the data collected by citizen scientists may not be as accurate as that collected by professional scientists, as the latter have access to more sophisticated equipment and techniques.

What is the Difference Between Citizen Science and Community Science?

The main difference between citizen science and community science is the level of involvement and expertise. Citizen science mainly draws on the participation of a layperson, usually offering minimal training or instruction. In contrast, community science relies on experts and specialists to provide guidance and assistance during data collection and analysis. Citizen science projects can often reach a broader population and gain more public awareness, while community science projects tend to be more specialized.

How Can Citizen Science and Community Science Work Together?

One potential way in which citizen science and community science can work together is by using crowdsourced data to inform specialized research. Data collected through citizen science initiatives can often be used by experts to inform their analyses in the field of community science. In addition, the participation and engagement facilitated by citizen science projects can help to raise public awareness about environmental issues, creating a greater demand for community science initiatives.

The Impact of Citizen Science and Community Science on Society

Citizen science and community science both have the potential to significantly impact society in many ways. Citizen science initiatives can lead to increased public engagement in scientific research, unlocking vast amounts of data that would not have been available otherwise. While it is difficult to measure the exact impact of these projects, some studies have indicated that these initiatives can lead to increased public awareness of local issues and an overall improved understanding of scientific processes at the grassroots level.

Exploring the Potential of Citizen and Community Science

Citizen science and community science can provide many potential benefits. Projects such as crowd-sourced data collection have shown promise in improving communication between scientists and the public, while further research into methods such as citizen monitoring can lead to valuable insights into local environments. Furthermore, initiatives like participatory mapping can help local citizens become involved in land management, creating an invaluable sense of ownership over their communities.

Exploring the Limitations of Citizen and Community Science

Despite the beneficial potential of these approaches, they do come with a degree of risk. As citizen science projects collect data from untrained individuals, it is important to ensure that research results remain valid and accurate. Concerns have been raised about possible errors in data collection that could lead to inaccurate scientific conclusions. Similarly, it is important for community scientists to consider how projects may be influenced by local biases or interests that could undermine meaningful data analysis.

Best Practices for Engaging with Citizen and Community Science Projects

When engaging with either citizen or community science initiatives, it is important to be aware of best practices for project management. Citizen science projects should be designed to be engaging, easy-to-use, and rewarding for participants. It is also essential that clear regulations are established to ensure that data collected is accurate, stable and not biased in any way. In terms of community science projects, it is important that participants are given enough resources or assistance to ensure that their research remains valid. Finally, each project should always strive for meaningful public engagement by promoting open communication between scientists and citizens.

Join GVI’s Citizen Science Programs in Asia, Europe or Latin America

If you are concerned about the environment and want to help make a difference, then you are the ideal citizen scientist.

Citizen science is the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research to increase knowledge about particular species, habitats or ecosystems. You don’t need a science degree or conservation background. All you need is a keen interest and curiosity to learn and unlearn from nature, and a keen interest in assessing and recording the state of the world around us.

Here is a full list of all our citizen science programs.