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Science as a commons: Motivations for continued participation in citizen science projects
Maite Pelacho1,2, Santos Orejudo3, Jesús Clemente-Gallardo4,5
1Ibercivis Foundation, Zaragoza, Spain.
Plos One
|June 25, 2025
Summary
Citizen science projects thrive on sustained participation, driven by a blend of personal and general interests. Understanding these motivations is key to fostering cooperation and ensuring the long-term sustainability of shared scientific resources.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Sociology
- Science Communication
Background:
- The study of commons is crucial for resource sustainability, including knowledge resources.
- Citizen science offers a model for knowledge commons, where sustained participation is vital.
- Participant motivations significantly impact engagement and project sustainability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore participants' motivations for joining, continuing, and abandoning citizen science projects.
- To analyze how diverse motivations influence continued participation, especially in highly committed individuals.
- To investigate whether motivations align with general interests (e.g., resource sustainability) or personal interests (e.g., capability building).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 478 survey responses from citizen science participants.
- Examination of motivations for joining, continuing, and abandoning projects.
- Focus on the interplay between personal and general interests in sustained participation.
Main Results:
- Participants sustaining citizen science projects are motivated by a combination of personal and general interests.
- These motivations reflect cooperative behaviors observed in commons management.
- Highly committed participants are driven by both self-interest and broader goals.
Conclusions:
- Science can be conceptualized as a commons, sustainably managed by decentralized communities.
- Fostering cooperation is essential for effective management of shared resources in citizen science.
- Optimizing communication and awareness of common goals enhances cooperation and reinforces personal benefits.
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