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You too can become a scientist! At the very least, it can play an important role in future scientific research. That’s because citizen science is becoming increasingly accepted by researchers as a way to collect data. Modern technology has made it easy for anyone to participate using just a smartphone and the internet.among climate crisis In particular, the ability to collect and input large amounts of data can make a huge difference in scientific progress.
What is citizen science?
Scientific research is ongoing and experts need all the help they can get. Citizen science is “a field of research in which members of the public participate in scientific projects in collaboration with professional scientists.” Three o’clock That said, it is becoming increasingly popular. Although it may seem unscientific to involve the public in research, “there are a wide range of scientific research fields that use information collected by everyday individuals, from environmental science to marine biology,” he said. Ta. popular science.
Citizen science is “increasingly recognized as an approach applied in many scientific fields, particularly in the fields of environmental science and ecology,” he said. 2022 survey Published in Nature Reviews Methods Primers. Researchers often establish citizen science groups to assist with monitoring and data collection without the need for additional funding. For example, birdwatchers can be considered citizen scientists because they help track species and add them to existing databases. “Interested volunteers, amateur scientists, students and educators may network and promote new ideas to advance our understanding of the world.” national geographic.
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Citizen science has also expanded rapidly in recent years due to increased access to technology. “Volunteers with cell phones with built-in GPS receivers can easily provide real-time geolocation information about species and conditions,” National Geographic said. Online citizen science projects “also allow the public to participate in online projects such as classifying images and transcribing historical documents,” Three O’Clock said.
What are the benefits of citizen science?
The growing popularity of citizen science provides a unique opportunity to not only collect large amounts of data, especially from hard-to-access locations, but also to engage local communities. Marcos Goldin, geologist and citizen science coordinator for cruise line Aurora Expeditions, said: “Conducting scientific research is extremely expensive and is often prohibitive for some scientists. “I have the privilege of spending a lot of time in extremely remote areas,” he told Popular magazine. Science. Citizen science “enables research focused on community needs,” “democratizes access to data,” and provides “tools for participants to conduct their own research and decision-making.” – O’Clock said.
The biggest advantage is the power in numbers. “Data collection is not just for researchers,” Popular Science said. Climate and environmental science can particularly benefit from citizen science. “Collecting such large amounts of data can be essential for issues that affect large areas, such as pollution and radiation, which can only be adequately measured at large scales,” he said. wired. “Public data collected by citizens eliminates the possibility of intermediaries who are unable to collect sufficient data due to lack of funding or political crisis.”
What are the disadvantages?
Critics of citizen science argue that “untrained citizens can collect shoddy or even biased data without scientific rigor or reliability,” Wired said. are doing. Data collected by the public can provide valuable insights, but a lack of training in data collection can be problematic. “Designing and implementing citizen science projects requires unique skills and knowledge outside of the research itself, such as planning and executing communications, building community, and managing participants.” Nature Review Method Primer the study said. Without proper monitoring and organization, the data collected may be unreliable.
Citizen science can also bring highlights social inequality. “Citizen science may only engage certain segments of society, including historically underrepresented groups, less affluent members of society, and certain socio-economic, racial, and ethnic groups. may fail to include groups of individuals and communities,” the study states. “This raises concerns about the relevance of citizen science to diverse communities and can impact the quality of results,” said Peter, co-founder of Safecast, a nonprofit organization focused on citizen science. “Citizen science isn’t just about letting people collect data, it’s about empowering people and giving them a voice,” Franken told Wired.
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