A guide to when and how to use citizen science to monitor biodiversity and the environment

Published in 2014 by the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology - download the pdf below.

Authors: Pocock, M.J.O., Chapman, D.S., Sheppard, L.J. & Roy, H.E.

Fromù the introduction:

Citizen science can be a very useful ‘tool’ for undertaking research and monitoring, while also engaging with many people. Citizen science is very diverse; there are many different ways for volunteers to get involved with real science. This diversity can be overwhelming for someone seeking to organize a citizen science activity and citizen science will not always be the most appropriate or optimal approach for undertaking scientific research or monitoring. Here we aim to provide guidance to support people considering using a citizen science approach, especially (but not necessarily restricted to) monitoring biodiversity and the environment in the UK. It will help you decide whether citizen science is likely to be useful, and it will help you decide which broad approach to citizen science is most suitable for your question or activity.