| Public action in each PPSR model | Members of the public... |
| Contract | ... ask scientists to conduct a scientific investigation and report on results |
| Contribute | ... are asked by scientists to collect and contribute data and/or samples |
| Collaborate | ... assist scientists in developing a study and collecting and analyzing data for shared research goals |
| Co-create | ... develop a study and work with input from scientists to address a question of interest or an issue of concern |
| Colleagues | ... independently conduct research that advances knowledge in a scientific discipline |