Psychosocial factors that favor citizen participation in the generation of scientific knowledge

Citizen participation in the generation of scientific knowledge is one of the major challenges facing science and technology systems. This study takes a psychosocial approach to analyzing the process whereby citizens participate in science.

A specific questionnaire was answered by 1002 residents of Spain belonging to different age groups, occupations, and education levels.

Cluster analysis revealed two profiles: a minority group of people who are well informed, motivated, and interested, recognize the value and impact of science, and would be willing to donate money for and participate in science projects, and a group of people of the opposite profile who feel little if any interest in science. A logistic regression model designed to find the variables that contribute the most to participation showed that gender is a major predictor of participation and that knowing people who have participated in scientific projects is another important motivating factor.

Only a minority group of the population (young, university-educated women) participates prominently in scientific projects. Strategic initiatives are needed to increase the engagement of institutions and the public in citizen science.