articleCitizen Science Theory and PracticeJun 5, 2017GOLD OA

Citizen Science Terminology Matters: Exploring Key Terms

University of California, Santa Cruz · Queensland University of Technology · +19 more institutions

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Abstract

Much can be at stake depending on the choice of words used to describe citizen science, because terminology impacts how knowledge is developed. Citizen science is a quickly evolving field that is mobilizing people’s involvement in information development, social action and justice, and large-scale information gathering. Currently, a wide variety of terms and expressions are being used to refer to the concept of ‘citizen science’ and its practitioners. Here, we explore these terms to help provide guidance for the future growth of this field. We do this by reviewing the theoretical, historical, geopolitical, and disciplinary context of citizen science terminology; discussing what citizen science is and reviewing…

Citation impact

596
total citations
FWCI
33.77
Percentile
100%
References
67
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Authors

23

Topics & keywords

Keywords
  • Terminology
  • Citizen science
  • Variety (cybernetics)
  • Context (archaeology)
  • Discipline
  • Engineering ethics
  • Public relations
  • Field (mathematics)
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