Table 8.
Summarized list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for citizen science collaborative projects. Detailed considerations for each question can be found in Supplemental Materials.
| What Is the Purpose of the Study? |
| Describe the problem the study is addressing, and the ultimate benefit the study will have for the community as well as its science, research, and/or programmatic purpose. |
| Who is leading the study? |
| Which community is involved in the study? |
| Why this community? (How was the community selected?) |
| What previous studies have been performed in this community/area? How does this study complement those or how is it different? What is the added value of this work? |
| What stakeholders are involved in the study? |
| What level of participation is the community being included in? |
| How is the community involved in the study process? |
| How long will the study last? When will the study start and end? |
| What is the benefit to the community overall and to individuals in the community? How does this benefit the community? What will the community get out of this study? |
| What is the end goal of the study? How will the results be used? |
| What are the results intended to show? Are sensors supposed to capture absolute concentrations, relative differences (i.e., hotspots), spatio-temporal trends? |
| How does this study benefit the community? What will the community get out of this study? |
| How can you (as a community member) use these tools, data, and sensors to gather information on environmental health risks to you and your community? (What is in it for you?) |
| How will information be shared with the community? |
| Where and how will information be shared with the community? |
| Ask community: What is the best method for sharing information with you? |
| How will private or sensitive information be protected? |
| How can the community keep up with what is going on with the project? Where can I find updates? |
| How will concerns of community members about the data or results be addressed? |
| How can community members contact the study team if they have questions about the study? |
| What topics and research methods does the study include? |
| Pollutants being considered |
| Which pollutants are included in the study? Which are being measured or modeled? |
| Are there regulations for these pollutants? If so, then why are we measuring it? |
| Where do these pollutants come from? What are the major sources of these pollutants? |
| Where are these pollutants found—in the air, water, soil, food, household? |
| Why are other pollutants not being investigated? |
| Types of Measurements, Models, and Results |
| What sensors are being used to measure these pollutants? What are the benefits and limitations of these sensors |
| Which computer models are being used to estimate pollutant concentrations? What are the benefits and limitations of these models? |
| Will this study pinpoint who is producing these pollutants? |
| Are these measurements and models the same ones the EPA uses to enforce regulations, such as the Clean Air Act? Can results from measurements or models be used to make the sources reduce their emissions or output of these pollutants? |
| Will the community or public have access to the results of this study? Who ‘owns’ the data that is collected? Where will the results be kept? |
| How will results be reported—as a written report, charts and graphs, maps? |
| Public Health |
| Which health effects are associated with these pollutants? |
| What are considered ‘high’ or ‘dangerous’ concentrations of these pollutants? What happens if we measure high concentrations? Does this mean my health is at risk, or that we can take legal actions to reduce the amount of pollution? |
| What are different ways to reduce exposure to pollution? |
| Which other things might be present in the community that could influence my health? Are these being considered? |
| Other Studies or Analyses? |
| What other studies or analyses have been conducted in the vicinity of our community? |
| What are the results of these studies/analyses? |
| How scientifically grounded are these studies/analyses? |