Towards a framework for the monitoring and evaluation of citizen science for health

Abstract

Monitoring and evaluating projects is important to ensure that the project proceeds smoothly and desired goals and deliverables are met. Several monitoring and evaluation frameworks have been developed to evaluate citizen science projects. Citizen science for health is an upcoming domain within citizen science; however, citizen science for health differs from other domains, such as biodiversity or geo-science, with regards to ethics and privacy of health data. Therefore, it is imperative that a framework be developed that can appropriately monitor and evaluate citizen science for health projects. Based upon one of the existing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, a first outline of such a framework has been developed. A roundtable session at the Engaging Citizen Science Conference 2022 was used to elicit possible topics for the ways in which citizen science for health distinguishes itself from other domains of citizen science. The topics mentioned by the participants were, amongst others: ethics, reciprocity, data privacy, transdisciplinary cooperation, personal and societal health outcomes, education of different stakeholders, and working towards sustainability and taking steps to create an impact with the outcomes of citizen science research. The roundtable discussions provided relevant input on areas where the current outline might be adapted when working towards a framework for the monitoring and evaluation of citizen science for health and wellbeing. Focus groups are foreseen to co-create a framework 1.0 for monitoring and evaluating citizen science for health projects.