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 and 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 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