Ethical aspects of citizen science

Learning Objectives

  • 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).

While citizen science is commonly associated with natural sciences, its application in the humanities has a rich history and has significantly evolved over time. Community members have long contributed to local history preservation, genealogy, and the documentation of cultural practices. With the advent of digital technologies, especially the Internet, citizen science in the humanities has experienced a transformative shift. Digital platforms and online projects have allowed individuals from around the world to contribute to large-scale humanities initiatives. For example, projects involving the transcription of historical documents, mapping cultural heritage sites, and tagging images have engaged a global community of volunteers. Beyond contributing to research projects, citizen science in the humanities emphasizes public engagement and education. It provides individuals with an opportunity to actively participate in the creation of knowledge, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for preserving and understanding cultural heritage.

References

  1. UNESCO (2021). Recommendation on Open Science. https://doi.org/10.54677/MNMH8546 

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 acknowledgement 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 acknowledgements. 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 inputs and data collected by citizen scientists can be ensured through various methods. Researchers can provide appropriate training to citizen scientists on data collection techniques and research methodology 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 nature of 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.

ROSiE General Guidelines on Responsible Open Science emphasize the responsibilities of different stakeholders in promoting and supporting citizen science:

6.3. Citizen science offers a potential for socially relevant research and innovation, however, the involvement of citizen scientists without proper support can potentially be an ethics and integrity challenge. Policymakers, Research Funding Organisations, Research Performing Organisations, and researchers are responsible for promoting and supporting citizen science. This is done specifically by ensuring support throughout the research lifecycle, through the provision of adequate funding, training, flexible grant structures that accommodate extended timeline research, and encouraging collaborations and building synergies between researchers and other stakeholders. 
6.4. Researchers working with citizen scientists should ensure transparency and open communication to diminish unavoidable power imbalance. 
6.5. Policymakers in collaboration with the scientific community should develop targeted strategies on how to involve diverse societal actors in citizen science and other public engagement activities.
6.6. The research community should ensure that existing knowledge about citizen science approaches is shared so that researchers and citizen scientists learn from each other.

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

  1. ICMJE. Defining the role of authors and contributors. 
  2. 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 
  1. Balázs, B., Mooney, P., Nováková, E., Bastin, L., Jokar Arsanjani, J. (2021). Data Quality in Citizen Science. In: The Science of Citizen Science. Springer https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58278-4_8
  2. Heinisch, B., Oswald, K., Weißpflug, M., Shuttleworth, S., & Belknap, G. (2021). Citizen humanities. The Science of Citizen Science, 97-118. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58278-4_6
  3. López, M. P., Soekijad, M., Berends, H., & Huysman, M. (2020). A knowledge perspective on quality in complex citizen science. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 5(1).  http://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.250
  4. Mahr, D., Göbel, C., Irwin, A., & Vohland, K. (2018). Watching or being watched-enhancing productive discussion between the citizen sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. UCL Press. https://doi.org/10.14324/111.9781787352339
  5. Tauginienė, L., Butkevičienė, E., Vohland, K., Heinisch, B., Daskolia, M., Suškevičs, M., ... & Prūse, B. (2020). Citizen science in the social sciences and humanities: the power of interdisciplinarity. Palgrave Communications, 6(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-020-0471-y