BOOK REVIEW: HOW AND WHEN TO INVOLVE CROWDS IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Scientific research has increasingly opened its doors to broader societal participation. Marion Poetz and Henry Sauermann’s new book, How and When to Involve Crowds in Scientific Research, is a transformative guide for anyone interested in how crowds of citizens and other societal stakeholder groups can be integral to advancing scientific discovery across disciplines. Published as an Open Access resource, this book offers both conceptual clarity and practical guidance for researchers, policymakers, and science enthusiasts.

Why I think this book is a must-read?

The book addresses an emerging question in science: how can we effectively involve citizens and other types of crowds in research to amplify impact? The authors, both experts in innovation and science management, provide a comprehensive toolkit for those seeking to apply crowd science methods in their research, evaluate crowd science initatives or study the phenomenon. Here are some key highlights of the book:

1. Conceptual foundations and basic tools

The book lays a robust, research-based foundation for crowd and citizen science projects, introducing frameworks and tools that help identify when and how to involve different types of “crowds” effectively. This “toolkit” offers clarity for both beginners and seasoned project organizers and helps getting started with developing ones own crowd science projects.

2. Step-by-step guides

From defining research questions to analyzing data and translating findings into societal impact, the book offers clear instructions for involving crowds at various stages of the research process. Each step is supported by examples and customizable templates, ensuring practical usability. The persona cases created by Marion and Henry, inspired by real-world projects they have worked on, are incredibly helpful for understanding informed decision-making when considering crowd science as a strategy to enhance a research project.

3. Cross-cutting themes

The book addresses challenges such as maintaining research integrity, protecting contributors, and responsibly integrating artificial intelligence. While these discussions highlight the complexities of managing crowd science, the authors also offer practical solutions to navigate these issues effectively.

3. Project examples, case studies and personas:

Real-world examples of crowd science projects from diverse fields – including natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities – illustrate how different types of crowds have contributed to significant scientific breakthroughs. The inclusion of „personas“ illustrate the application of the “toolkit” and a comprehensive project index helps to learn from a variety of examples. All these extras add depth, making the conceptual frameworks and tools relatable and actionable.

On www.sciencewithcrowds.org you can download the PDF of the book for free AND get access to complementary materials. These materials extend the book’s insights with additional resources, templates (coming soon), and links to ongoing projects.

In an era marked by complex challenges – climate change, pandemics, and social inequalities, this book is not just a guide; it’s a call to action for researchers and organizations to reimagine how science is conducted and shared. What I particularly like is that the book embraces the rise of artificial intelligence in science and systematically addresses the interplay between artificial intelligence and the involverment of crowds in scientific research.

Whether you’re a scientist considering crowd participation, a policymaker exploring citizen engagement, a science funder evaluating the integration of crowd science approaches in research proposals or simply curious about the future of science, How and When to Involve Crowds in Scientific Research is an great resource to find both, inspiration and concrete tools to get started.

Thank you, Marion and Henry for making the book Open Access! 🙂