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Poster Short Abstract

This review examines 241 citizen science training processes, highlighting methods, formats, learning outcomes, and proposes a measurable learning domain for preparing educators and facilitators for citizen science projects

Poster Abstract

Recognizing that participant training is central to both data quality and the attainment of educational goals in citizen science, this study presents a systematic literature review on training processes in the field. The review analyzes formats, methodologies, learning outcomes, and evaluation approaches. From Scopus and Web of Science, 219 articles describing 241 training processes were identified and categorized. The findings indicate prevalent trends in citizen science training, such as the strong influence of the United States in the scholarly output, the predominance and significance of in person modality, and the dominance of biological and environmental sciences as thematic areas. This review also underscores the prominence of the learning outcome skills for science inquiry within training processes. While broad, this outcome appears central to the educational aims of citizen science training processes. In this sense, we suggest that future research should further detail the subdomains encompassed by this outcome to better capture its formative dimensions. Furthermore, it proposes the inclusion of an additional learning outcome relevant to citizen science training: teaching and mediation for citizen science. We believe this domain is particularly pertinent for the development of coordinators, instructors, and educators and merits further exploration.