Analyzing Participation Patterns Across Citizen Science Projects on CitSci.org
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Melissa May
Presenter(s): Melissa May
Mentors(s): Gregory Newman
Citizen science (CS) has emerged as a valuable tool for addressing knowledge gaps in ecological research by engaging non-experts in data collection and analysis. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives varies significantly depending on project design. This study examines engagement behaviors on CitSci.org, exploring how project characteristics–such as field of study, recommended age group, and difficulty level–affect user participation. Data from 1,414 CitSci.org projects spanning various scientific disciplines were standardized to ensure consistency across categorical variables, including field of study, difficulty level, and target age demographic. Statistical and comparative methods were then employed to assess participation trends across different project characteristics. Results indicate that plant (22.3%) and water (20.1%) projects dominate the platform, while most projects are categorized as medium (50%) or easy (46%) in difficulty and predominantly target adults (52.4%). These findings suggest that CitSci.org projects tend to prioritize accessibility while emphasizing biodiversity and hydrological observations. By identifying key patterns in participation, this research can help inform the design of more inclusive and effective citizen science initiatives. Enhancing project accessibility and aligning research topics with participant interests may ultimately strengthen public engagement in ecological monitoring, improve data collection efforts, and support broader environmental stewardship worldwide.