I want to measure the impacts of citizen science projects
...by focusing on specific indicators using the
MICS Impact Indicator Explorer

In order to measure the wide range of impacts associated with citizen science, or to focus on one specific impact, you need clear, measurable impact indicators. For example, you may only be interested in identifying the effect of your citizen science initiative on ecosystem resilience, gender equality, or employment. By examining these indicators in detail, you can obtain a granular understanding of citizen science impacts and you can use resources efficiently. 

This approach provides a range of benefits. Firstly, it allows you to use state of the art tools or assessment methodologies that are tailored to measuring specific indicators. Instead of 'reinventing the wheel' and developing new approaches to measuring indicators, you can save time and resources by using tried and tested approaches from other fields. For example, the field of environmental psychology has developed a range of approaches for the measurement of pro-environmental attitudes. These approaches can be easily used by citizen science practitioners. 

In addition, due to its cross-disciplinary nature, the impacts of citizen science initiatives can range significantly. While some initiatives may focus on environmental improvements, others may aim to influence governance structures. This means that indicators that are very relevant for some initiatives may be less relevant for others. By selecting only relevant indicators, you can maximise the time you spend monitoring the indicators which are most important to you.

Furthermore, as with other approaches to impact assessment, by identifying indicators and appropriate methods for their measurement, a common approach to impact assessment can be built. Without a common and shared approach to impact assessment, comparability across citizen science initiatives remains difficult. Without comparability, we are unable to learn which approaches are most beneficial across citizen science initiatives. By building a common set of tools to measure specific indicators, comparison of impacts can occur at an even finer level. 

You can use the MICS Impact Indicator Explorer to select relevant indicators for measuring the impacts of your citizen science initiative. 

The indicators are grouped into five domains: 

• Society - Impact on society and individuals, as well as collective (societal) values, understanding, actions and well-being (including relationships). 

• Economy - Impact on the production and exchange of goods and services among economic agents; on entrepreneurial activity; economic benefits derived from data, e.g., for the public good or for the benefit of private sector actors. 

• Environment - Impact on the bio-chemical-physical environment, e.g., on the quality or quantity of specific natural resources or ecosystems. 

• Science and technology - Impact on the scientific process (method) as well as research more broadly; on the scientific system (institutions; science policy; incentive structures), scientific paradigms and resulting technological artefacts (e.g., sensors, apps, platforms) and standards. 

• Governance - Impact on the processes and institutions through which decisions are made, both informal and formal (e.g., public policy), and on relationships/partnerships, as well as the governance of data generated.