Literature review on motivation and incentives for voluntary participation in citizen science projects

Citizen science projects depend on the voluntary participation of individuals, whose motivations and engagement are shaped by a complex interplay of psychological, social and external factors. This literature review explores the diverse motivations driving initial and sustained participation in citizen science, drawing on theoretical frameworks such as Self-Determination Theory, Batson’s framework of community involvement and Schwartz’s Theory of Basic Values. Intrinsic motivations, including curiosity and the desire to learn, often dominate initial engagement, while sustained participation is influenced by a combination of collectivistic, egoistic, intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Incentives such as feedback, gamification and task relevance emerge as critical strategies for maintaining engagement. The review also highlights the demotivation factors and barriers, such as monotonous tasks and logistical challenges, that hinder participation.