Table 2:

Claims about Citizen Science participant benefits (source: Haywood 2013; King et al., 2016)

CITIZEN SCIENCE PARTICIPANT BENEFIT
Enhanced science knowledge and literacy (e.g. knowledge of science content, science applications, risks and benefits of science, and familiarity with scientific technology)
Enhanced understanding of the scientific process and method
Improved access to science information (e.g. one-on-one interaction with scientists, access to real-time information about local scientific variables)
Increases in scientific thinking (e.g. ability to formulate a problem bases on observation, develop hypotheses, design a study, and interpret findings)
Improved ability to interpret scientific information (e.g. critical thinking skills, understanding basic analytic measurements)
Science demystified (e.g. reducing the ‘intimidation factor’ of science, correcting perceptions of science as too complex or complicated, enhancing comfort and appreciation for science)
Strengthened connections between people, nature, and place (e.g. place attachment and concern, establishment of community monitoring networks or advocacy groups
Empowering participants and increasing self-efficacy (e.g. belief in one’s ability to tackle scientific problems and questions, reach valid conclusions, and devise appropriate solutions)
Increases in community-building, social capital, social learning and trust (e.g. science as a tool to enhance networks, strengthen mutual learning, and increase social capital among diverse groups)
Changes in attitudes, norms and values (e.g. about the environment, about science, about institutions)
Citizen scientists take action to influence policy and/or improve living environment
Citizen scientists gain access to broader (policy making) networks