In citizen science, user-centred development is often emphasised for its potential to involve participants in the development of technology. We describe the development process of the mobile app “Naturblick” as an example of a user-centred design in citizen science and discuss digital user feedback with regard to the users' involvement. We have identified three types of digital user feedback using qualitative content analysis: general user feedback, contributory user feedback and co-creational user feedback. The results indicate that digital user feedback can link UCD techniques with more participatory design approaches.
In the project "Stadtnatur entdecken" (discovering nature in the city) a multidisciplinary team of specialists in biology, informatics, urban ecology and social sciences is looking into how to effectively communicate educational content on environmental topics to young adults and to allow them to contribute as citizen scientists. The mobile app "Naturblick" presents on experience of nature in an urban setting. Several tools are combined in the app that allows users to identify species. The team developed auditory and visual pattern recognition tools that will automatically identify sound recordings and photographs and multi-access identification keys for flora and fauna. There is a map function that will help explore nature in the users' immediate vicinity in Berlin, Germany, highlighting the diversity of species to be found. Users are able to share their observations and records. The project is designed to involve user participation and continuous improvement based on user feedback of both the content and technology.
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