Rights of Citizen Scientists
InstructionsRights of Citizen Scientists
- Comprehend the role of citizen science in identifying and addressing scientific problems and societal challenges.
- Recognize the right of citizen scientists to be acknowledged by academic scientists and society.
Introduction
Citizen and participatory science form a critical component of the broader open science framework, which seeks to make the scientific process more transparent and collaborative. UNESCO recognizes the value of involving citizens in scientific research, not only to advance scientific knowledge but also to enhance public engagement with science (UNESCO, 2021).
Citizen and participatory science form a critical component of the broader open science framework, which seeks to make the scientific process more transparent and collaborative. UNESCO recognizes the value of involving citizens in scientific research, not only to advance scientific knowledge but also to enhance public engagement with science (UNESCO, 2021). Collaboration, participation, and inclusion are crucial for achieving several broader open science goals (data, collection, science literacy, dissemination of research results, implementation of evidence-based policies etc.). Nonetheless, this involvement presents challenges, such as reconciling the activism of citizen science with the discovery-oriented and objective nature of academic research (Rasmussen & Cooper, 2019) or blurring of the researchers/research subject roles in research that have largely been kept separate in traditional research ethics guidance (Resnik, 2019). Issues of potential conflicts of interest may arise when citizen scientists are motivated by personal or group interests. Addressing these challenges requires transparency about research goals, openness regarding the roles and interests of all scientists, and ethical handling of open data. The field is rapidly evolving, and many ethical considerations are still being developed and resolved.
References
- Rasmussen, L. M., & Cooper, C. (2019). Citizen science ethics. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.235
- Resnik, D.B. (2019). Citizen scientists as human subjects: Ethical issues. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.150
- UNESCO (2021). Recommendation on Open Science. https://doi.org/10.54677/MNMH8546
Key Issues
Citizen science offers valuable opportunities for all stakeholders involved; however, it also raises new issues regarding research ethics and integrity. Some authors have expressed concerns regarding the potential exploitation and instrumentalization of citizen scientists, where their unpaid work is utilized without proper acknowledgment of their contributions (Resnik, 2019). Therefore, recognizing the contributions of citizen scientists in all phases of research especially in scientific publications is essential to acknowledge their valuable research inputs. In some cases, citizen scientists may qualify for co-authorship if they have made substantial intellectual contributions to the research, including contributions to study design, data analysis, manuscript writing, and agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the research (ICMJE). While traditional academic authorship criteria may not always directly apply to citizen scientists, there are various other ways to appropriately recognize their involvement. Citizen scientists who have contributed to the research but whose contributions do not justify authorship may be acknowledged as contributors, with their roles and specific tasks described in a contributorship statement or acknowledgments. Open and transparent communication with citizen scientists throughout the research process, involving them in discussions about authorship and recognition, is crucial for building trust and ensuring that everyone involved feels appropriately acknowledged for their contributions.
Additionally, issues of data quality and ownership have been raised in the context of citizen science, as citizen scientists are often not specifically trained in research ethics and methodologies. The quality of data collected by citizen scientists can be ensured through various methods. Researchers can provide appropriate training to citizen scientists on data collection techniques and emphasize the importance of maintaining good research records. It is also crucial to ensure that the technological solutions chosen for citizen science projects are comprehensible and user-friendly, which can help minimize errors or misunderstandings during data collection and improve the overall quality of the collected data. Moreover, facilitating discussions between professional researchers and citizen scientists on questions of data ownership and future data accessibility is important to establish clear agreements on how the data will be used, shared, and accessed.
Citizen scientists should also be provided with information regarding research integrity to ensure ethical conduct. This includes informing them about potential financial and non-financial conflicts of interest, such as relationships with organizations sponsoring research or personal interests (Resnik, 2019). Openly discussing the expectations and motivations of citizen scientists within the research team can help foster transparency and compliance with research ethics principles.
To provide a framework for conducting citizen science projects the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) has developed the 10 principles of citizen science. Before moving to the next step, please, read: ECSA (European Citizen Science Association). (2015). Ten Principles of Citizen Science
References
- ICMJE. Defining the role of authors and contributors.
- Resnik, D.B. (2019). Citizen scientists as human subjects: Ethical issues. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.150
- The Embassy of Good Science: “Authorship criteria”
Case Study
Watch the interactive video below and complete the exercises!
Remarks
Additional Resources:
- Resnik, D.B. (2019). Citizen scientists as human subjects: Ethical issues. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.150
- The Embassy of Good Science: “Authorship criteria”
- The Embassy of Good Science: "Standards of authorship"
