Open Source, Open Science, & Citizen Science
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This document summarizes Andrea Wiggins' background and research interests in open source software, open science, and citizen science. Her research focuses on how technologies support distributed collaboration, open participation, and communities of practice in contexts like open source software development, scientific research, and citizen science projects. She is conducting a comparative case study of citizen science projects to understand the role of technology in public participation in scientific research.
Open Source, Open Science, & Citizen Science
- 1. Open Source, Open Science, & Citizen Science Andrea Wiggins 24 Juin, 2011 1
- 2. Où est Syracuse, NY? 2
- 3. My Background •BA: Mathematics with economics •Nonprofit & IT industry work –Adult literacy, nonprofit management support, professional theatre –Web analytics (online behavior analysis) •MSI: Human‐computer interaction, complex systems & network science •PhD: Information science & technology 3
- 4. Research Themes •How technologies support... –Distributed collaboration –Open participation –Communities of practice •Contexts –Open source software http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardsummers/542738965/ –Scientific research 4
- 5. My Research (to date) •Open source software development –Replication and extension of prior research using secondary data •eScience (& open science) –Using eScience tools for open science FLOSS research •Citizen science –Technologies supporting public participation in scientific research 5
- 6. Connections Open Source ing Op ar Sh en & Pa ss rti ce cip Distributed Ac at ion en Collaboration Op Open Citizen Scientific Work Science Science 6
- 7. Free/Libre Open Source Software •Distributed software development by virtual teams •Replication & extension –Communication network dynamics –Estimating user interest and adoption from software releases and downloads –Success and tragedy in FLOSS 7
- 9. eScience &/or Open Science •eScience != Open science –eScience: research collaboration that is fundamentally dependent on technology –Open science: research that is publicly shared at all stages of development •Both involve sharing scientific research artifacts http://www.flickr.com/photos/radiorover/419414206/ 9
- 10. Open/eScience Example •myExperiment –Repository for research workflows & artifacts –Social networking tools •Challenges –Preserving relationships between data, workflows, & researchers –Promoting participation –Social barriers to sharing 10
- 11. Citizen Science •Research collaborations involving the public with professional scientists –Volunteers contribute data collection or reduction •Intelligent sensor networks •Human computation systems –Diverse contributors, activities, expertise, motivations, and goals 11
- 12. Dissertation Research Questions What is the role of technology in supporting public participation in scientific research? – How do virtuality and technology alter organizing? – How do virtuality and technology shape participation? – How do organizing and participation processes influence scientific outcomes? 12
- 13. Dissertation Research Design •What – Comparative case study of citizen science projects •How – Field research methods (participation, observation, semi‐ structured interviews) and qualitative (grounded theory) analysis •Why – Provide context for technology design and management 13
- 14. eBird •Collects bird abundance and distribution data –Launched in 2002 by Cornell Lab of Ornithology (with National Audubon Society) –World’s largest biodiversity data set •2‐3M observations/month •Currently >80M observations –Participation involves: •Selecting method, watching birds •Entering observations online •Data analysis as desired 14
- 15. Great Sunflower Project •Collects data on pollinator service (bees!) –Started in 2008 by a single academic researcher –Very successful in volunteer recruitment •1 year: 55K registered •2 years: 77K registered •3 years: 90K registered –Participation involves: •Planting sunflowers, 15‐minute observation samples •Online garden description & data entry on Drupal site 15
- 16. Mountain Watch •Collects data on alpine air quality and wildflowers –Started in 2004 by the Appalachian Mountain Club –Integrates science & education •Hikers learn about wildflower life cycles and air quality •Focuses on effects of climate change in alpine areas –Participation involves: •Rating visibility in White Mountains •Reporting wildflower life cycle stages along hiking trails, either on paper or online 16
- 17. Next Steps •Write & defend dissertation •Get a job! •Future research: –Comparison of different modes of participation in citizen science –Comparison of North American projects to European projects –Comparison of citizen science to other online communities 17