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<p>Citizen science (CS) offers a promising means of engaging the public in environmental research, yet many projects face persistent challenges in participation and retention. This study investigates the psychological drivers underlying willingness to engage in air quality CS campaigns, applying an extended version of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to a large cross-sectional survey of 1893 respondents across six EU countries. Drawing on prior research, we formulate three research questions examining (i) the latent factors that motivate people’s stated willingness to engage, (ii) the relative weight of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivations at the point of enrolment, and (iii) the cross-regional invariance of these factors. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses identified six latent motivational constructs. While prior research has often emphasised intrinsic motivations such as autonomy, competence, and meaning, our findings show that extrinsic factors (particularly financial, reputational, and socially regulated incentives) also play an important role in shaping willingness to engage. The factor structure proved consistent across Mediterranean and Northwestern EU samples, as evidenced by robust cross-regional measurement invariance. By empirically extending SDT to citizen science, this study advances understanding of how intrinsic and extrinsic motivations interact at the enrolment decision point and offers practical insights for designing more inclusive engagement strategies.</p>

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Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for citizen science participation in air quality campaigns in Europe

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月25日

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  • Isabel Casas Villalba,
  • Diego Casado-Mansilla,
  • Dorottya Varga,
  • Perle Petit

摘要

Citizen science (CS) offers a promising means of engaging the public in environmental research, yet many projects face persistent challenges in participation and retention. This study investigates the psychological drivers underlying willingness to engage in air quality CS campaigns, applying an extended version of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to a large cross-sectional survey of 1893 respondents across six EU countries. Drawing on prior research, we formulate three research questions examining (i) the latent factors that motivate people’s stated willingness to engage, (ii) the relative weight of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivations at the point of enrolment, and (iii) the cross-regional invariance of these factors. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses identified six latent motivational constructs. While prior research has often emphasised intrinsic motivations such as autonomy, competence, and meaning, our findings show that extrinsic factors (particularly financial, reputational, and socially regulated incentives) also play an important role in shaping willingness to engage. The factor structure proved consistent across Mediterranean and Northwestern EU samples, as evidenced by robust cross-regional measurement invariance. By empirically extending SDT to citizen science, this study advances understanding of how intrinsic and extrinsic motivations interact at the enrolment decision point and offers practical insights for designing more inclusive engagement strategies.