Citizen science: integrating scientific research, ecological conservation and public participation

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1003.2013.12113

Abstract

Abstract:

Citizen science, also known as “public participation in scientific research”, is defined as scientific activities in which non-professional scientists participate as volunteers in data collection, analysis and dissemination within a scientific project. With the advent of the information age, citizen science projects, especially in ecological conservation and environmental monitoring, are rapidly expanding our knowledge of the world around us, and contributing to management and policy decisions. Citizen science projects can be classified into five types of models: contractual, contributory, collaborative, co-created and collegial projects. In China, public participation in science related activities has had a long history, but current contributions in citizen science are limited because of relatively low public participation, and the weaknesses in data quality control, data management and analysis. Recently, citizen science has been applied to bird watching and plant monitoring, with some positive and negative experiences. To better increase citizen science activities and enhance such contributions to academic research, improvements are urgently required in financial support, the development of project platforms, the application of new technology, and international collaboration. We believe that the enhancement of citizen science will greatly promote the development of ecological conservation, environmental monitoring and related research fields. To help with this we have established a platform for China citizen science projects (http://www.gongzhongkexue.org) to promote communication and cooperation among scientists, governments, other organizations and the public.

Key words: citizen science, environmental conservation, conservation biology, biodiversity, environmental monitoring, bird watching, plant monitoring

Jian Zhang,Shengbin Chen,Bin Chen,Yanjun Du,Xiaolei Huang,Xubin Pan,Qiang Zhang. Citizen science: integrating scientific research, ecological conservation and public participation[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2013, 21(6): 738-749.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.3724/SP.J.1003.2013.12113

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2013/V21/I6/738

Figures/Tables 8

References 53

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科学研究的步骤 Steps in scientific process	契约型 Contractual	辅助型 Contributory	合作型 Collaborative	共创型 Co-created	学院型 Collegial
选择或定义研究问题 Choose or define question(s) for study	√			√	√
收集信息和资源 Gather information and resources	(√)			√	√
提出假说或解释 Develop explanations (hypotheses)				√	√
设计数据收集方法 Design data collection methodologies			(√)	√	√
收集样品、记录数据 Collect samples and/or record data		√	√	√	√
分析样品 Analyze samples			√	√	√
分析数据 Analyze data		(√)	√	√	√
解释数据、得出结论 Interpret data and draw conclusions	(√)		(√)	√	√
宣传研究结果或转换科研结果到实践 Disseminate conclusions/translate results into action	(√)	(√)	(√)	√	√
讨论研究结果、提出新的问题 Discuss results and ask new questions	√			√	√

科学研究的步骤 Steps in scientific process	契约型 Contractual	辅助型 Contributory	合作型 Collaborative	共创型 Co-created	学院型 Collegial
选择或定义研究问题 Choose or define question(s) for study	√			√	√
收集信息和资源 Gather information and resources	(√)			√	√
提出假说或解释 Develop explanations (hypotheses)				√	√
设计数据收集方法 Design data collection methodologies			(√)	√	√
收集样品、记录数据 Collect samples and/or record data		√	√	√	√
分析样品 Analyze samples			√	√	√
分析数据 Analyze data		(√)	√	√	√
解释数据、得出结论 Interpret data and draw conclusions	(√)		(√)	√	√
宣传研究结果或转换科研结果到实践 Disseminate conclusions/translate results into action	(√)	(√)	(√)	√	√
讨论研究结果、提出新的问题 Discuss results and ask new questions	√			√	√

网站 Websites	提供的资源 Resources
Citizen Science Central: www.citizenscience.org	项目开发、文献数据库、讨论组等相关的工具 Toolkit for project development, tips and tools, reference database, conference proceedings, searchable project list, discussion forum, news feed, professional network
SciStarter: www.scistarter.com	项目搜索工具、项目添加工具等 Project finder and add project tools, editor’s picks, member and site blogs
中国自然标本馆: www.cfh.ac.cn	生物多样性基础数据支持, 公众科学项目数据存储、物种鉴定、编目和分类管理、团队协作等功能支持 Tools for biodiversity data collection, species identification, and group cooperation
CitSci.org: www.citsci.org	制作数据输入表格的工具 Tools for creating customized data-entry forms so that volunteers can submit data
Data Observation Network for Earth: www.dataone.org	数据管理、数据标准化、数据分析和可视化的工具 Tools on data management and data standards that will enable the integration of data from diverse studies and taxa, data analysis and visualization tools
The Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science: www.publiclaboratory.org	工具、方法、会议信息 Tools and methods, information on conferences
iSpot: http://www.ispot.org.uk	各种动植物类群监测网络平台 Species identification and monitoring

网站 Websites	提供的资源 Resources
Citizen Science Central: www.citizenscience.org	项目开发、文献数据库、讨论组等相关的工具 Toolkit for project development, tips and tools, reference database, conference proceedings, searchable project list, discussion forum, news feed, professional network
SciStarter: www.scistarter.com	项目搜索工具、项目添加工具等 Project finder and add project tools, editor’s picks, member and site blogs
中国自然标本馆: www.cfh.ac.cn	生物多样性基础数据支持, 公众科学项目数据存储、物种鉴定、编目和分类管理、团队协作等功能支持 Tools for biodiversity data collection, species identification, and group cooperation
CitSci.org: www.citsci.org	制作数据输入表格的工具 Tools for creating customized data-entry forms so that volunteers can submit data
Data Observation Network for Earth: www.dataone.org	数据管理、数据标准化、数据分析和可视化的工具 Tools on data management and data standards that will enable the integration of data from diverse studies and taxa, data analysis and visualization tools
The Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science: www.publiclaboratory.org	工具、方法、会议信息 Tools and methods, information on conferences
iSpot: http://www.ispot.org.uk	各种动植物类群监测网络平台 Species identification and monitoring

类型 Type of science	定义 Definition	花费 Cost	数据质量 Data quality	信息传播 Information dissemination
传统科学项目 Traditional science	科学家执行研究活动 Scientists conduct all aspects of the research process	高 High	高 High	慢 Slow
验证式公众科学项目 Verified citizen science	科学家和公众共同执行研究活动 Scientists and citizens conduct the research process together	中等 Medium	中等 Medium	中等 Medium
直接式公众科学项目 Direct citizen science	完全由公众执行的研究活动 Citizens conduct all aspects of the research process	低 Low	低 Low	快 Fast