Paths of Citizen Science in Health: processes for public engagement

Abstract:

This article intends to map research actions and methodologies in the field of health that are characterized as Citizen Science. Through a qualitative and exploratory research, it used a methodology composed of a bibliographic survey in Information Science databases- such as BRAPCI, BENANCIB, and Scielo- and Health- such as PubMed Central, MEDLINE, BVS, and LILACS. It analyzes the evolution of the Open Science movement and the Citizen Science approach. It deals with collaborative research and how it is designed in the field of health. It presents three methodological actions present in the literature that involve the active participation of the public, such as Community-Based Participatory Research, Partnership, Partner Engagement, and Collaboration and Patient and Public Involvement. It is concluded that there are research processes in the field of health focused on Citizen Science that promote joint actions by laypeople, private and public organizations, and policymakers that bring effective results from shared responsibility.

Keywords:
open science; citizen science; health research; collaborative research; public engagement