For researchers
The page will be updated during spring 2025.
Researchers complete a short online training with practical guidelines before beginning their work with the citizen research panel.
In practice, researchers or research groups submit assignments, so called task requests, to the panel based on the needs of their own research.
Involving citizens adds steps to the research process but also brings depth and societal relevance to the work. Researchers are not obligated to implement all the suggestions made by citizens, but listening to their perspectives and providing explanations is essential for building trust.
From the outset, researchers must communicate openly to panel participants about their expectations and the limitations of citizen involvement. It is always important to inform the panel about how its outputs have been utilised in the research.
The citizen research panel brings new perspectives and experiences to the process, but it does not replace the expertise of professional researchers.
Benefits of citizen involvement in research include:
- Increased public interest in and trust towards research
- Enhanced transparency and accountability in the use of public funds
- Strengthened focus on research topics that are meaningful to citizens
- Improved benefits of the research process, such as more targeted participant recruitment
- Diversified dissemination of research results
- Development of skills and understanding for both citizens and researchers
How do I utilise the citizen research panel?
- The panel operates based on assignments submitted by researchers to the panel.
- Guidance on preparing assignments is provided in the training.
- The level of researcher involvement in the panel’s work on a given assignment may vary depending on the assignment.
- Utilising the outputs of the citizen research panel is part of the researcher’s academic freedom and responsibility. This must be communicated to panel participants in a manner agreed upon in advance.
Training for researchers
A brief, online training material package is being prepared for researchers using the citizen research panel. This orientation can be completed independently at any time that suits you. The training includes video and text materials and takes approximately 45 minutes.
You can access the training here.
Through the training, researchers will learn how to submit assignments to the panel and become familiar with its operations. The training will cover topics such as the goals of the panel, its working methods, and the treatment of participants. Additionally, the training will introduce the panel’s practical online collaboration tools and the potential role of researchers in this process. This helps the panel run smoothly and ensures everyone can take part equally.
Taking the time for training helps make the panel experience more effective and convenient for all and supports the quality of the research work.