While science in general is the domain of highly qualified experts, opportunities exist for ordinary citizens to participate in scientific research. In areas like biology and ecology, the wide participation of amateurs has contributed to surveys of animal populations and ecological phenomena. The author discusses the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in extending the scope of such activities, often labeled “citizen science.”

Assembling a large group of volunteers to work on a common task is not sufficient for a successful citizen science endeavor. Based on tools and methods available under the Web 2.0 umbrella, and a citizen science model developed elsewhere [1], the author examines projects conducted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which has a long history of such activities. The main underlying theme is that scientific rigor has to be applied throughout the project, starting from the formulation of a specific research question over the use of protocols, the training of participants, and the analysis and interpretation of data, to the dissemination of results and the final evaluation of the project.

Although the section on the practical aspects of implementing a citizen science project itself is too short to serve as a beginner’s guide, the paper provides an excellent entry point for anybody toying with the idea of initiating such a project. Even if the goal is not necessarily rigorous science, the author’s discussion of ICT tools in combination with the model described in [1] provides a good checklist for coordinators of projects with high volunteer participation.