Co-design
CITIZEN SCIENCE INFORMATION SHEET
In a research study, many decisions are to be taken at different stages, ranging from the selection of the research topic, the type of data to be collected and how, and what to do with the results, to mention just a few key decisions. Often these decisions remain in the hands of researchers who make decisions based on their prior knowledge and experience. However, in a citizen science project where the participatory component is at the center of the process, involving citizens in the decision-making process is vitally important.
The Decision-Making Canvas is a tool that helps researchers to guide conversations with citizens around decision-making processes in science. The tool allows you to identify (1) at what stages of a research study do citizens want to be consulted to make decisions, (2) what decisions do they want to make and (3) how we can involve them to make these decisions. The tool is meant to be used during a co-creation workshop, which can be carried out in different stages of a research study, preferably starting at the onset of the project.
We share with you some resources that can be useful to carry out this activity.
Read the case study and understand how this tool has been used in a real citizen science project.
CitieS-Health Barcelona Pilot
An online workshop was organized to start discussing with citizens participating in the Cities-Health Barcelona pilot about how they wanted to get engaged and what roles they wanted to take during the data collection campaign, the analysis phase and the dissemination of study results. The Decision-Making Canvas was used to guide the conversation.
To identify what decisions participants wanted to make in the study
To increase transparency in the research process