Citizen Science: Both Promising and Problematic

Citizen science is the practice of public collaboration and involvement in research to increase scientific knowledge. It is a way to utilize the general public for research, not as study participants, but as investigators themselves. This approach can help ensure that community and academic research interests are well aligned. It can also enhance public trust in research given the involvement of laypersons in studies and the required transparency for this commitment.

While citizen science hold great promise as a research tool, one must consider potential problems related to both informed consent and data integrity. This presentation will fully explore this novel approach to research, highlighting both its advantages and emerging challenges.