 |
| Operation Spider: from 2010 |
 |
| See Operation Magpie from 2009 |
 |
| See "Bring us your Bugs" from 2009 |
 |
| See Operation Possum from 2008 |
 |
| See Operation Bluetongue from 2007 |
Citizen Science
This page describes what Citizen Science is and the advantages of this method of research. It also provides links to Citizen Science projects at the Barbara Hardy Institute and features some articles in the media.
What is Citizen Science?
Citizen Science is gaining in popularity as a method of research, and for many good reasons. As the term suggests, Citizen Science involves the participation of the wider community (particularly non-scientists) in scientific projects. Proponents of Citizen Science, when listing its benefits, usually begin with how it enables extensive data collection. Indeed, this benefit is considerable; but it is the interaction between scientists and the community, and the ability for projects to inform both groups, that are perhaps the most exciting outcomes of this approach. Further, we are developing new ways to conduct and augment Citizen Science projects that are enhancing the potential of this research methodology.
Developing our scientific understanding of the natural world often requires a great deal of data collection, but time and resource availability limit scientists' ability to collect that data. One solution to this problem is to have more people collecting data, and this is where Citizen Scientists can assist. Data can be collected by the community and submitted via online survey instruments (e.g. Operation Possum), or materials can be collected and delivered to scientists (e.g. Bring us your Bugs). Scientists benefit from data collected over a large area, or over a long period of time. Data and materials can also be collected from areas that are normally difficult to access, such as private property.
Additional benefits
There are many other benefits of our Citizen Science program. By participating in a project, community members get a chance to inform scientists, and, in the process, learn more about their environment. Information gained through Citizen Science projects can change public perceptions of the natural world, promote interaction with nature, and engage the community in the management of natural resources. These natural advantages of a Citizen Science program can be augmented by additional education and research strategies:
- The inclusion of educational materials for school-based projects. For example, exercises developed for Barbara Hardy Institute Citizen Science projects are introducing children to animal classification, wildlife observation, collecting data and collating results.
- Data can be collected, or self-reported, that concerns the attitudes of the participating Citizen Scientists (in addition to their observations): this collection of attitudinal data enables scientists to examine the influences on people's behaviour towards wildlife.
Exchanging information
It cannot be overstated that Citizen Science is about more than just data collection. Citizen Science programs, by their very nature, must involve a bilateral exchange of information. Scientists must disseminate information on the focus species or phenomenon in order to enable and increase participation. Citizen Scientists need adequate information about what they are studying and how to study it before collecting data to contribute to the study. Once information has been collated and analysed, scientists must distribute the findings of the study in order to maintain public engagement. In this way, the public are informed of scientific results and engaged in the outcomes through ownership of their own contributions.
Community-gathered information, presented back to the community, can have considerable benefits. Because it represents the voice of the community, such information can strongly influence the attitudes and behaviour of individuals. Take, for example, the case of possums in Adelaide. These animals are known to be problematic neighbours, with nocturnal antics that disturb our sleep, and home-making habits that can damage our houses. If a possum moves into a roof and begins to keep the home-owners awake at night, then begins to stain the ceilings with urine, it is likely (and understandable) that the resident people will be irritated (to say the least) and will seek to remove the offending possum from their roof space. If this person has no knowledge of possums or how the community regards them, it is possible that they will take management measures that have little regard for the possum. However, if this person is aware of a high level of goodwill in the community towards possums, it is likely that their management will be more benign.
In conclusion
We are fortunate researchers because, during the course of our research, we are able to promote a healthy relationship between people and the natural environment. We do this by increasing the understanding we have, as scientists and as a community, of our environment and how we interact with it (and why). We are able to do this because we have adopted the Citizen Science methodology.
Page authors: Philip Roetman and Chris Daniels, 2010.
|
| ||
 |
In the media...Read some interesting articles about Citizen Science:
|
|
|
| ||
 |
Book releases...We've released two books based on results of our Citizen Science program
Find out more about Citizen Science and our program in the book chapter in 'Creating Sustainable Communities in a Changing World' |
 |
|
Find other Citizen Science projects at these sites: |
||
Video
Videos featuring our Citizen Science program are available below:
Citizen Science | |
Operation Spider, our Citizen Science project, featured on Channel 10 television's children's science show, SCOPE. The segment on Operation Spider starts after 5 minutes. Find out more about our Citizen Science program... |
|
Citizen Science | |
A presentation on Citizen Science to the Australian Science Communicators and the Royal Institution (Australia) on May 23, 2011. Find our more... |
|
Operation Spider | |
Operation Spider is a Citizen Science research project. Find our more... |
|
Bring us your Bugs | |
 |
See the Bring us your Bugs event (January 2009) on video (mp4) |
| See the Bring us your Bugs event (October 2009) on YouTube | |
For more information about any of our Citizen Science projects, please contact Philip Roetman.