Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science

What scenario typically represents the use of citizen science?

1. A research team studying a specific animal species

2. A public call for butterfly counting on a specific day

3. A scientist conducting an experiment in a lab

4. A classroom study on environmental science

The correct answer is: A public call for butterfly counting on a specific day

In the context of citizen science, the scenario that involves a public call for butterfly counting on a specific day is most representative of this approach. Citizen science refers to the involvement of non-professional scientists or the general public in scientific research, usually to collect data, contribute to monitoring efforts, or engage in community education. In this scenario, members of the public actively participate in scientific data collection, which is a hallmark of citizen science. They are encouraged to observe and count butterflies, contributing valuable data to researchers who may not have the resources or manpower to gather such extensive data on their own. This type of initiative harnesses community involvement to address scientific questions or environmental monitoring. Other scenarios, such as a research team studying a specific animal species or a scientist conducting an experiment in a lab, represent more traditional forms of scientific work conducted by professional scientists without public participation. Similarly, a classroom study, while educational, typically does not involve public engagement in the same way that citizen science encourages community contributions to ongoing research efforts.