Participant Outcomes of Biodiversity Citizen Science Projects: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Citizen science is becoming increasingly popular as a format in environmental and sustainability education. Citizen science not only allows researchers to gather large amounts of biodiversity-related data, it also has the potential to engage the public in biodiversity research. Numerous citizen science projects have emerged that assume that participation in the project affects participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. We investigated what evidence really exists about the outcomes of biodiversity citizen science projects on the side of the individual participants. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed research articles published up to and including 2017. We found evidence for various individual participant outcomes. The outcome reported most often was a gain in knowledge. Other outcomes, found in several articles, referred to changes in behavior or attitudes. Outcomes reported less often were new skills, increased self-efficacy and interest, and a variety of other personal outcomes. We discuss the research design and methods used in the reviewed studies und formulate specific recommendations for future research. We conclude that citizen science is a promising option for environmental and sustainability education focusing on biodiversity. Partnerships between natural and social scientists in the design and evaluation of projects would allow future biodiversity citizen science projects to utilize their full educational potential.

The Relation between Knowledge Acquisition and Environmental Values within the Scope of a Biodiversity Learning Module

“…In addition to its increasing popularity in scientific research, CS has gained consideration in science and environmental education research [36,37]. Peter et al [38] reviewed publications on the educational impacts of biodiversity-related CS projects. They conclude that CS is a suitable approach for biodiversity education.…”

Changes in participant behaviour and attitudes are associated with knowledge and skills gained by using a turtle conservation citizen science app

“…Knowledge of threatening processes to wildlife and of general conservation issues can be a precursor to pro‐environmental attitudes, behaviour, and engagement with conservation (Hines et al., 1987). Several citizen science projects have increased their participants' knowledge on the subject investigated (Branchini et al., 2015; Haywood et al., 2016; Peter et al., 2019; Schuttler et al., 2018). Usually, people who volunteer to participate in citizen science are already interested in the topic, want to learn more about it, and want to contribute to the field (Van Den Geoghegan et al., 2016; Lewandowski & Oberhauser, 2017; Berg et al., 2009).…”

“…For example, pro‐environmental behaviours may require skills (that are additional to knowledge) to address environmental problems (Hines et al., 1987; Wiernik et al., 2018). Citizen science can improve participants' skills (Peter et al., 2019). For example, volunteers in Australia reported learning technical skills for bush restoration and sustainable living throughout their time as participants in environmental projects or in environmental groups (Measham & Barnett, 2008).…”

Far from Expectation: A Systematic Literature Review of Inclusive Education in Indonesia

“…SLR is a literature review that is firmly attached to a set of scientific methods explicitly with the aim of avoiding systematic or biased errors [46]. This study uses several stages as suggested by Peter [47] about preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis or PRISMA. These stages are identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion.…”