Guide to Citizen Science

Today, interest in science and research extends far beyond the walls of universities, research facilities or institutes. Citizens want to have a say in which topics and problems should be researched, want to participate in research and evaluate and discuss results together with experts. Numerous participation formats are conceivable for this. For example, as part of Citizen Science, citizens develop their own research questions together with scientists, weigh up methods and carry out scientific surveys themselves. In real-world laboratories and experimental spaces, actors from science, civil society, administration and business cooperate to develop answers to specific local challenges and test them in an experimental environment. Similarly, the perspectives and opinions of civil society organizations are increasingly becoming part of political advisory bodies and forums in order to help decide on research programmes.

This methodological guide is intended to serve as an aid for project managers, project staff and citizen scientists who are involved for the first time or again in the initiation, planning, implementation and evaluation of a citizen science project.

Further information