Study title

Citizen Science Survey 2021

Dataset ID Number

FSD4065

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4065
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4065

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Svahn, Elena (Åbo Akademi University)
• Federation of Finnish Learned Societies

Abstract

The citizen science survey sought to gather the views of citizens, citizen science participants, researchers, and representatives of research and funding organizations on the current state of citizen science.

First, participants were asked whether they had previously taken part in research and whether they were already familiar with the concept of citizen science. In addition, participants were asked to select the most important aspects of citizen science and to evaluate its significance from various perspectives. Following this, they were asked whether participation in citizen science requires special expertise and whether there are citizen science projects within their own organisations.

Next, the respondents were asked about their organisations' guidelines regarding citizen science projects, how these projects are communicated, and whether funding is available for them. Questions were also asked regarding the funding of citizen science. After that, the respondents were asked at what stage of the research citizens participate and how citizens were recruited for the research. Finally, they were asked to describe what citizen science means to them, what technology was used in the citizen science project, what development needs emerged, and how the results were utilized.

Background information included, among other things, the respondent's age group, gender, the organisation they represent, their field of research, education, and occupational group.

Keywords

citizen participation; citizenship; participation; research; research workers; science

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Science and technology (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Federation of Finnish Learned Societies
• Open Science Coordination
• Svahn, Elena (Åbo Akademi University)

Time Period Covered

2021

Collection Dates

2021-03-22 – 2021-06-14

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Citizens, researchers, participants in citizen science, and representatives of research and funding organisations

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

The survey was widely distributed to various stakeholders: researchers, members of the public (including those involved in citizen science), research funders, and research organizations.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

Research Instrument

Semi-structured questionnaire

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

At FSD, references to organisations as well as other identifying details have been removed from the open-ended responses, such as mentions of citizen science projects that could reveal the respondent's background organisation. Edits made by FSD to the open-ended responses are indicated in [square brackets]. In addition, variable q9_avo was removed at FSD because it contained only the names of citizen science projects.

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Svahn, Elena (Åbo Akademi University) & Federation of Finnish Learned Societies: Citizen Science Survey 2021 [dataset]. Data version 1.0 (2026-04-17). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4065; URN: https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4065

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Svahn, E., & Karlsson, J. (2025). Insights into Participatory Policymaking: Analysing the National Citizen Science Policy Development in Finland. Nordic Perspectives on Open Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.7557/11.8084