Citizen science

Abstract

Today, developments in science and technology have made people more sensitive to their surroundings, as well as to the problems and challenges that surround them or threaten their lives in the future. This change in the way people look at the problems and big challenges of life today has led them to increasingly use science and technology. Scientific and technological progress has enabled humans to solve challenges that were once thought insoluble. These problems often involve three main limiting factors: cost, time and the need to collect lots of data. Today, in most countries, a solution called ‘citizen science’ is used to solve these big problems and projects. Indeed, the main foundation of citizen science is that it is used to conduct extensive experiments by ‘citizen scientists’ in areas such as sampling and other time-consuming and costly activities. This chapter explains how, after an initial research plan is presented and has been evaluated, the decision is made by scientists whether or not to employ citizen scientists. In the next stages, described below, scientists attract volunteer citizens, then carefully plan the details of the subject and the relevant training and education needed to carry out the various stages of the research proposed. After completing these training courses, citizens scientists enter the stage of conducting experiments and collecting the required data. Finally, scientists analyze the information collected by scientists. The chapter describes this complete process, and supplies suitable examples.