Development of citizen science as a mechanism of scientific knowledge creation in the digital environment

Aim . The presented study aims to identify the causes and factors that determine the positive effect of integrating the efforts of the representatives of institutionalized (professional) and social (citizen) science to obtain new knowledge in the digital environment; to investigate the phenomenon of “citizen science” in the context of current trends in the development of scientific knowledge creation mechanisms. Tasks . The authors examine approaches to understanding the essence of the concept of “citizen science” in relation to the concepts of participation, distributed knowledge, Science 2.0, etc.; identify opportunities and promising areas for the collaboration between professional and citizen science; formulate conditions and directions for further development of scientific knowledge creation mechanisms involving scientific volunteering. Methods . This study uses general scientific methods of cognition in various aspects to consider the phenomenon and concept of “citizen science” as a vital component of the mechanisms of scientific knowledge creation in project form using the capabilities of digital tools and network technology. Results . The genesis and priority directions for the development of citizen science are described. The reasons and factors of complementarity between professional and citizen science are substantiated. The development of digital tools and network technology is considered as an essential condition for further development of scientific knowledge creation mechanisms. Conclusions . The development of citizen science is a natural stage in the development of society, which requires consolidated efforts of the bearers of different competencies to collect and process scientific data for further development.