Open science practices
| Site: | European Citizen Science Academy (ECS academy) |
| Course: | Supporting Sustainable Institutional Changes to Promote Citizen Science |
| Book: | Open science practices |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Friday, 4 April 2025, 6:05 AM |
Description
This module equips learners to align their citizen science endeavours with the best practices of open science. It begins with an examination of how to integrate open science standards in publication, data management, and public outreach, utilizing the Data Charter for Citizen Science. Learners will explore the benefits of open science across multiple domains, understand the principles of FAIR data, and learn to apply the 5-star open data system to their projects. The module also tackles important considerations of privacy, ethics, data hygiene, and standards. An interactive session brings the module together, where learners will apply their knowledge to manage data, handle volunteer management, and implement effective communication strategies.
1. Data management and open science practices in citizen science projects
This module instructs learners on aligning their citizen science projects with OS standards. It delves into the Data Charter for Citizen Science, covering essential elements like FAIR data principles, privacy, ethics, and data hygiene, to ensure responsible and effective data practices. The module also introduces the 5-star open data concept, guiding learners through the application of open data and OS principles to enhance the integrity and impact of their research.
Module description:|
What? |
How? |
Why? |
|
The benefits of open science |
Going over an array of benefits across five domains |
Explaining to the learner why it is worth following the course |
|
Components of open science |
Using UNESCO’s open science chart to give insight into the many aspects of OS |
Demonstrating that there are many reasons for integrating OS and CS |
|
What is FAIR data? |
FAIR data principles and why they are important to CS |
Demonstrating that there are many reasons for implementing the FAIR data standards in citizen science projects |
|
The 5-star open data and the open attitude |
Introducing the 5-star open data ladder and the open attitude |
Enabling participants to place their data management plan on the 5-star open data ladder |
|
The Data Charter for Citizen Science: Privacy and ethics |
Introducing the Data Charter for Citizen Science and issues pertaining to privacy and ethics |
Enabling participants to incorporate reflections about privacy and ethics into their project planning |
|
The Data Charter for Citizen Science: Data hygiene, standards, and formats |
The Data Charter for Citizen Science on data hygiene, standards, and formats |
Enabling participants to incorporate relevant standards and formats into their data management plan |
|
The Data Charter for Citizen Science: Data management |
Overview of data protocols, metadata management, data standards, and data evaluation |
Enabling participants to learn from best practices in data management |
Slide (available in slide deck)
2. Public engagement and volunteer management
This module equips learners with strategies for effective community engagement and volunteer coordination in citizen science projects. It covers the volunteer lifecycle—from recruitment to retention—and provides tools and insights for managing volunteer motivations, experiences, and communications. Additionally, this module emphasizes the importance of public outreach, offering guidance on how to communicate and engage with various stakeholders to maximize the impact of citizen science initiatives.
Module description:
|
What? |
How? |
Why? |
|
Volunteer management |
Introducing the notion of volunteer management and the volunteer literature |
Demonstrating that there is already a lot of knowledge about how to engage with volunteers |
|
The volunteer’s journey |
The stages of volunteer’s journey and ways to maximise volunteers’ experience |
Demonstrating that the volunteer experience has many stages with different concerns |
|
The motivations of volunteers |
Types of motivations; demography and attributes of volunteers; recruitment techniques or awareness of opportunities |
Enabling learners to describe their (potential) volunteers and plan the recruitment process |
|
Checklist for project organisers and managers |
Key recommendations for project organisers based on the volunteer’s journey |
Enabling learners to use the checklist for project organisers |
|
Volunteer management |
Best practices for onboarding, communication, retention, and acknowledgment |
Enabling learners to plan ahead for retention and sustained participation |
|
Communication and public outreach |
Issues and tools for communication and public outreach in relation to citizen science projects |
Encouraging learners to design and initiate outreach activities in relation to their project (before, during, after) |
Slide (available in slide deck)
3. Interactive session: Navigating data management, volunteer management, and communication in citizen science projects
This interactive session aims to consolidate learners’ understanding of
three core aspects of CS: data management, volunteer management, and
communication/public outreach. They will brainstorm, discuss, and share thought
on each of the three topics (alternatively choosing just one topic to focus on),
creating a flip chart (onsite) or Miro boards (online) to capture the essence
of each topic. The expected outcome is for each learner to leave with a
well-considered judgment on how to effectively manage data, coordinate
volunteers, and communicate in the context of their CS endeavours.
Module description:
|
What? |
How? |
Why? |
|
Topic breakdown |
The session focuses on three topics: data management, volunteer management, and communication/public outreach. Learners are instructed to dedicate a section of their flip chart (or Miro board) to each topic (alternatively choose one topic to focus on). |
Focusing on distinct topics helps in organizing thoughts and ensures thorough coverage of key areas in citizen science. |
|
Brainstorming and discussion |
For each topic, learners brainstorm and discuss key words, concepts, or principles they have learned. They are encouraged to reflect on the content covered in this module, drawing upon specific examples and best practices discussed. |
This phase stimulates critical thinking and allows learners to actively engage with the material, reinforcing their understanding. |
|
Flip chart (or Miro board) creation |
Learners then translate their brainstorming into a visual representation on the flip chart (or Miro board). They are encouraged to be creative, using diagrams, keywords, and bullet points to capture the essence of each topic. |
Visual representation aids in consolidating and synthesizing the learned concepts in a creative and memorable manner. |
|
Presentation and feedback |
Each group or individual presents their flip chart, explaining their choice of keywords and concepts. This is followed by a feedback session where other learners and/or the facilitator can offer insights or ask questions to deepen the understanding. |
Presenting their work fosters communication skills and confidence, while receiving feedback provides opportunities for refinement and deeper insight. |
|
Reflection and conclusion |
The session concludes with a reflective discussion, allowing learners to share what they found most valuable and how they might apply these concepts in their own CS projects. |
This final reflective discussion allows learners to internalize their learning and consider practical applications in their future projects. |
Slide (available in slide deck)