Results ON citizen science – Citizen Science Today

Patterns of Participation and Motivation in Folding@home: The Contribution of Hardware Enthusiasts and Overclockers

Vickie Curtis — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 21:00:18 +0000

Abstract: Folding@home is a distributed computing project in which participants run protein folding simulations on their computers. Participants complete work units and are awarded points for their contribution. An investigation into motivations to participate and patterns of participation revealed the significant contribution of a sub-community composed of individuals who custom-build computers to maximise their processing...

Toward a Sociocultural Learning Theory Framework to Designing Online learning Communities in Citizen Science

Ruth Kermish-Allen and Kate Kastelein — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 20:00:36 +0000

Abstract: How can sociocultural learning theory inform design principles for citizen science online learning communities to inspire local environmental action? The purpose of this article is to identify themes in sociocultural learning theory that could inform the use and development of highly collaborative online learning communities that utilize community informatics tools for citizen science to...

Assessing Citizen Science Participation Skill for Altruism or University Course Credit: A Case Study Analysis Using Cyclone Center

Tue, 05 Jun 2018 20:00:16 +0000

Abstract: A common challenge in citizen science projects is gaining and retaining participants. At the same time, the tertiary education sector is constantly being challenged to provide more meaningful and practical work for students. Can participation in citizen science projects be used as coursework with real practical experiential-learning benefits, without affecting the citizen science project...

Global Big Day 2018: a birding world record

Team eBird — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 20:00:13 +0000

Excerpt: Birds are incredible. Their power to inspire and amaze brings people together across every imaginable boundary. Global Big Day is the embodiment of this worldwide connectedness: a single day to celebrate birds in every place on Earth. On 5 May, Global Big Day, 28,000 people ventured outside in 170 countries, finding 6899 species: 2/3rds...

Innovation in Citizen Science – Perspectives on Science-Policy Advances

Tue, 05 Jun 2018 20:00:06 +0000

Abstract: Citizen science is growing as a field of research with contributions from diverse disciplines, promoting innovation in science, society, and policy. Inter- and transdisciplinary discussions and critical analyses are needed to use the current momentum to evaluate, demonstrate, and build on the advances that have been made in the past few years. This paper...

Never Too Old, Cold or Dry to Watch the Sky: A Survival Analysis of Citizen Science Volunteerism

Tue, 01 May 2018 18:00:58 +0000

Abstract: CoCoRaHS is a multinational citizen science project for observing precipitation. Like many citizen science projects, volunteer retention is a key measure of engagement and data quality. Through survival analysis, we found that participant age (self-reported at account creation) is a significant predictor of retention. Compared to all other age groups, participants aged 60-70 are...

Mapping and the Citizen Sensor

Tue, 01 May 2018 18:00:52 +0000

Excerpt: Until recently, much mapping activity was in the exclusive realm of authoritative agencies but technological development has also allowed the rise of the amateur mapping community. The proliferation of inexpensive and highly mobile and location aware devices together with Web 2.0 technology have fostered the emergence of the citizen as a source of data....

Participatory design of citizen science experiments

Enric Senabre, Núria Ferran-Ferrer, and Josep Perelló — Tue, 01 May 2018 18:00:28 +0000

Abstract: This article describes and analyzes the collaborative design of a citizen science research project through cocreation. Three groups of secondary school students and a team of scientists conceived three experiments on human behavior and social capital in urban and public spaces. The study goal is to address how interdisciplinary work and attention to social...

Worldwide Engagement for Digitizing Biocollections (WeDigBio): The Biocollections Community’s Citizen-Science Space on the Calendar

Tue, 01 May 2018 18:00:21 +0000

Abstract: The digitization of biocollections is a critical task with direct implications for the global community who use the data for research and education. Recent innovations to involve citizen scientists in digitization increase awareness of the value of biodiversity specimens; advance science, technology, engineering, and math literacy; and build sustainability for digitization. In support of...

The case for citizen science in urban agriculture research

Georgia Pollard, Philip Roetman, James Ward — Tue, 01 May 2018 18:00:16 +0000

Abstract: In an uncertain future of climate change and constrained resources, urban agriculture is widely viewed as a sustainable and scalable approach to improving food security. While its social, health and wellbeing benefits are well documented, there is a major knowledge gap in terms of the financial accessibility of urban food production for all households....