Essay About Involved Collections Of Data And Importance Of Citizen Science

Importance of Citizen Science in Adaptive Management
Citizen ScienceWhat is Citizen Science?Engages non-professionals in authentic scientific researchRanging from long-standing, large scale projects to more personalized research experiences Categories of CSContributoryCollaborative Co-creative Citizens might be engaged to differing degrees within each category. There is no ‘right’ level of participationCS keeps coming up….websites, books, articles, now a conference, now a whole CS monthFour Main QuestionsWhat is citizen science?Engages non-professionals in authentic scientific researchRanging from long-standing, large scale projects to more personalized research experiences Partnerships between amateur and natural scientistsThese projects guide public participation in ecological research topics and studies of abiotic factorsEfforts involved collections of data across temporal and geographic scalesProcess that connects people to science Started about 20 years ago with the opening up of the internet and democratization of knowledgeTends to involve the collection of data across large temporal and spatial scalesWhat opportunities does it offer?Development of long term relationships between participants and organisations (lead to long term monitoring)Allows for layering question driven research into existing monitoring projectsCombining historical CS data sets with current observations to gain insight into ecological impactsCan develop a much broader dataset covering much larger spatial and temporal scalesData collection no longer spatially bound by where researchers are  (global issues)Creates a platform for sharing scientific monitoring data with the publicOpens up the possibility of engaging with and sharing with more ethnically & culturally diverse participantsIn community setting – opportunities to engage entire families, not just individuals  (multi generational impact) Generates ecological knowledge and elevates public understanding and support for citizen scienceAllows for community based projects to be initiated as CS identifies local issues and needsIt builds earth stewardship as it educates the local and provides tangible science for the communities to utilize in the futurePromotes dialogue between public and scientific community through the use of mobile apps and social media in relation to citizen scienceAllows for multi-disciplinarity as CS projects often cross borders of various scientific disciplinesHow can quality data be ensured?Educating citizen scientists about what they are doing and why. Offering training and on-going supportLarger data sets give greater precision, iron out anomolies (therefore aim for larger databases)Can create ‘smart filters’ for obviously incorrect data AND find ways to either flag inaccurate data gatherers or anomalous data.Can use verifying tools such as photographs (SABAP example)Ongoing interactions with participants (lots of communication)Create really simple data collection protocolsCreate reward systems for good work  (competitions, certificates) Educational games and historical reports Also an increase in the technology used to collect dataStringent criteria to ensure data accuracyThe use of floating forests → multiple opinions of one piece of data or subject Offer opportunities to educate the public at every step in the projectIdentify common priority areas and adopt a clarity towards the aims of the projectMobile apps and SMS services which acts as data collection mechanisms or data storage mechanisms How can Participation be sustainedEasy, fun and social (games and challenges)Working closely with target audiencesCreating an atmosphere of shared valuesPartnerships with local organisationsIncentives such as compensation and recognition Communication between staff and volunteersMainstream the enjoyment opportunities for participantsMake sure your citizen science project and methods are user friendlyTap into growing use of social media to spread support for citizen science projectsData is openly accessible to the publicExpert feedback to the public Ethical concerns of Citizen ScienceDisturbance to environment through collection Inclusion vs exclusion → how do you choose your citizen scientistsWhen TEK is invoked or claimed, how do you determine who has the right to the knowledgeCitizen science may attempt to change local traditional lifestyles to solve the problem when the life styles of these people is actually not the main causeMust ensure that projects are sustainable and benefit the community before and after the project Another is issue is the jargon → the project needs to respect the language of the communities it requires to volunteerAttribution of credit and authorship is a major concern → CS must adopt a model which fairly and thoroughly acknowledges participants and their roles in the study