Links and Distinctions Among Citizenship, Science, and Citizen Science

Mueller, Tippins, and Bryan (2012) presented a new conceptualization of citizen science that is meant to facilitate emerging trends in the democratization of science and science education to produce civically engaged students. This article reviews some relevant trends in the field of citizen science, for clarity here referred to as public participation in scientific research (PPSR), and presents overlooked styles and outcomes of PPSR. Education efforts should seize the opportunity to emphasize the key and distinct roles students can play in both the science and the values elements that inform decision-making processes.