Study Design: Developing a Citizen Science Project that Delivers Results

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Developing a citizen science project can be an effective means of collecting data and reaching diverse audiences, while providing education on how to use science to understand our world. It can also be an opportunity to engage local communities and volunteers in collecting data that can lead to results in understanding, protecting, and restoring local environments. Prior to developing a community-based data collection program, it is essential to think through the scientific process and the steps necessary to create a program where the data collected match your monitoring objectives. The study design process facilitates the essential decisions that need to be made. This 60-minute session will explore the fundamental building blocks for building a strong citizen science program.

Julie Vastine is the director of the Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring (ALLARM) at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  She is responsible for leadership of the ALLARM program and providing technical assistance to watershed communities interested in using science as a tool for change.  Julie has worked in the volunteer monitoring/citizen science field for seventeen years. In 2019, she was appointed to the National Water Quality Monitoring Council as the volunteer monitoring representative. In 2018, she was elected to the Citizen Science Association. A native of the Chesapeake Bay region, Julie enjoys working with community organizations to build their capacity to monitor, protect, and restore water quality in Pennsylvania and New York. In addition to her love working with communities on stream monitoring, Julie enjoys hiking, biking, cooking, and yoga.

• CitizenScience.gov
• Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring (ALLARM)
• ALLARM Study Design Manual (PDF, 1.5 MB, 17 pages)

This talk is hosted by the Federal Community of Practice for Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science. This is a grassroots community open to all federal practitioners working on, funding, or just interested in learning more about crowdsourcing and citizen science. Learn more, including how to participate at: https://www.citizenscience.gov/about/community-of-practice.

Our team will send a reminder email prior to the event that includes your link to join the video. 

Questions about this event or future events? Send them to digitalgov@gsa.gov. 

This event will be held over Zoom (see the Zoom computer and device requirements, and FAQs). You can download Zoom Client for Meetings to install the Zoom web browser client beforehand.

This webinar is presented in coordination with DigitalGov University (DGU). DGU provides a range of free online and in-person trainings and events for people and teams across the federal government.