The citizen science appraisal tool (CSAT) manual

The Citizen Science Appraisal Tool (CSAT) (Table 3) was developed to evaluate the quality of CS and other participatory approaches. Quality is defined here in relation to the levels of active engagement and partnerships utilised by CS studies. [1] These two factors of engagement and partnerships are evaluated through a lifecycle approach [2] starting with the aims of a study through to its outcomes and future impacts, and considers the scientific standards, participation, data quality, and dissemination, which are elements of good quality CS. [3, 4] The tool development was guided by the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) 10 principles, [3] Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tools [5, 6] and encompassed three levels of engagement: contributory (for the people); collaborative (with the people); or co-productive (by the people)