Test
This is a Test!!! (afternoon)
Citizen science, in general, means the participation of the public in science and research. It is an open and inclusive approach, with key characteristics including: (1) citizens are actively involved in research, in partnership or collaboration with scientists or professionals; and (2) there is a genuine science outcome, such as new scientific knowledge, conservation action or policy change.
The term ‘citizen science’, however, is broad and always changing, meaning that it is hard to narrowly define. Many different definitions and criteria have emerged over the years – here are some examples:
A description from the European Commission:
“Citizen Science refers to the general public engagement in scientific research activities when citizens actively contribute to science either with their intellectual effort or surrounding knowledge or with their tools and resources.”
One of the first definitions from Lewenstein in 2004:
- the participation of non-scientists in the process of gathering data according to specific scientific protocols and in the process of using and interpreting that data;
- the engagement of non-scientists in true decision-making on policy issues that have technical or scientific components; and
- the engagement of research scientists in democratic and policy processes.
