Crowdsourcing Chapter Notes | AP Computer Science Principles - Grade 9 PDF Download

Introduction

The internet has transformed how data and resources are shared, enabling collaboration on a global scale. This chapter explores crowdsourcing, a method that leverages the internet to gather input, data, or solutions from large groups of people, and citizen science, a specific type of crowdsourcing where non-scientists contribute to research. It highlights how these approaches make problem-solving easier, provide diverse data, and reduce costs for organizations.

The Internet’s Role in Collaboration

• The Internet has transformed access to information and human resources, enabling researchers to tap into vast pools of data and collective effort.
• This connectivity simplifies problem identification and resolution, making solutions widely accessible.
• For instance, a quick online search can now replace consulting manuals or experts, and scientific discoveries are shared globally through digital journals and news, unlike the past when physical copies or word-of-mouth were required.
• This collaborative environment has fueled innovations like citizen science and crowdsourcing.

Citizen Science

• Definition: Citizen science involves ordinary people, often non-scientists, helping with scientific research by collecting data using devices like smartphones.
• Examples of tasks: Activities include counting birds at local feeders or observing the sky to identify new galaxies.
• Benefits: Allows a wide range of people to contribute to science, providing researchers with more diverse and extensive data.
• Impact: Enables scientists to conduct larger-scale research compared to working alone or in small lab groups.

Examples of Citizen Science Projects

Below are notable citizen science initiatives:

Crowdsourcing

• Definition: Crowdsourcing involves collecting large amounts of input, information, or solutions from people via the internet.
• Relation to citizen science: Citizen science is a form of crowdsourcing, but crowdsourcing extends to non-scientific areas as well.
• Benefits for organizations: Provides diverse data, reduces the need for manual data collection, and often eliminates costs for labor or information.
• Applications: Used for gathering feedback, finding workers or volunteers, solving problems, or obtaining content.

Examples of Crowdsourcing

• Feedback Collection: Businesses gather public input through online reviews (e.g., for restaurants or products) or surveys (e.g., College Board questionnaires).
• Labor and Volunteering: Platforms like Uber and Airbnb rely on crowdsourced drivers and hosts, while Wikipedia depends on volunteer editors to create and maintain its content.
• Problem Solving and Content Creation: Innovation contests encourage people to submit solutions or designs for challenges, such as new products or global issues, often with prizes as incentives.
• Crowdfunding: Platforms like GoFundMe, Kickstarter, and Patreon enable individuals to raise funds for projects, from artistic endeavors to medical expenses, by collecting small contributions from many supporters.

Key Terms