Citizen Science: How Ordinary People are Changing the Face of Discovery

by Caren Cooper

Think you need a degree in science to contribute to important scientific discoveries? Think again. All around the world, in fields ranging from astronomy to zoology, millions of everyday people are choosing to participate in the scientific process. Working in cooperation with scientists in pursuit of information, innovation, and discovery, these volunteers are following protocols, collecting and reviewing data, and sharing their observations. They are our neighbors, our in-laws, and people in the office down the hall. Their story, along with the story of the social good that can result from citizen science, has largely been untold, until now. Citizen scientists are challenging old notions about who can conduct research, where knowledge can be acquired, and even how solutions to some of our biggest societal problems might emerge. In telling their story, Cooper will inspire readers to rethink their own assumptions about the role that individuals can play in gaining scientific understanding and putting that understanding to use as stewards of our world. Citizen Science will be a rallying call-to-arms, and will also function as an authoritative resource for those inspired by the featured stories and message.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Nature

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last experience that most people had with science would have been at school, where for a fair proportion of those studying it really couldn't get along with it. One maxim that I had heard to differentiate between the three core subjects was: if it moves it is biology, if it smells it is chemistry and if it doesn't work it is physics. So the thought of getting involved in science in any shape or form has some people reeling. Yet you can; you don't need a PhD or even a degree all you need is a fascination and curiosity for the world around you and anyone anywhere in the world can contribute.

In this book, Caren Copper tells the stories of the ways that normal people are getting involved in science projects. In this way, they are challenging the academic norms on how and more importantly who can collect scientific data. There are stories of people who have been collecting weather data for decades all around the United States, and how these thousands of daily records are showing worrying trends for more unstable weather. We learn of people who use spare computer power to run through protein folding sequences to assist scientists when they are creating the latest drugs. Nature lovers who wanted to ensure that turtles could lay their eggs in safety begun collecting the plastics and in particular the nurdles, that were being washed up in startling volumes on the beaches, a pressing environmental concern at the moment given the longevity of plastics.

People have always contributed to medical research, often unaware too, but there is now active participation in drug trials with people wanting to help others who will be suffering the same illnesses further down the line. Collective action by communities by people who are being made ill by companies who still pollute the atmosphere and waters is covered in one chapter, showing that how keeping records and having it backed up by scientific and government authority can make a difference. Details of migratory birds and butterflies that are observed by enthusiastic individuals add to the bigger picture that science understands about the twice-annual flow of life around the planet.

Probably the sphere of science that an amateur can have the most impact in is astronomy. All over the globe thousands of people every night head outside hoping for clear skies to observe the majesty of the night sky. Their observation are just as important as the astronomers who have control over the largest telescopes in the world. Even those who are averse to heading out can get involved too; there are websites that people can log onto to assist in verifying types of galaxies, something that us mere humans can do much better than computers at the moment. In fact, amateurs are so important in this field that they often appear on the peer-reviewed papers alongside the 'real' scientists.

Science is not as scary as you think and thankfully Copper has written a fascinating book that shows how you, yes you, can be involved in science. There are a list of resources in the back of the book and websites where you can go to find out more and sign up. It is American centric, but there are some links below where you can find out more:

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/take-part/citize...

https://blog.rsb.org.uk/everyones-a-s...

https://www.britishscienceassociation...

https://www.zooniverse.org

[Jonna Higgins-Freese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a member of SciStarter.com for a while, but haven't done any research yet. But I'm certainly going to start now!

Stardust@home
GalaxyZoo
AsteroidZoo
Brony@home distributed computing
Asteroids@home
Einstein@home
BOINC -- Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing
protein folding@home
folding@home
rosetta@home
foldit = puzzles
mosquito watch app
EyesonAlz
Bucket Brigade

collective intelligence -- francis Galton originally found that when a crowd guessed weight of an ox, the average would be the correct answer. Variation among group success at task completion was explained by social sensitivity, ability to take turns, a combination of genders (for women's great social intelligence). "collective intelligence is unrelated to the average or maximum intelligence of individuals that compose a group. Nor did group cohesion, motivation, or satisfaction matter." (123).

"One twenty-five-year-oldherder inBhutan got amazing pictures of thrtee snow leopards feeding on one of his yaks. When the herder reported the data, he wasn't complaining . . . ; he was thrilled! "Not one, not two, but three snow leopards!" he boasted. It was undoubtedly a hardship fo rhim to lose a yak, but that haardship was overshadowed by joy in seeing the lost yak supply food for a big family of snow leopards. In may countries and cultures, we undervalue joy. In Bhutan, joy is a highly prized commodity and the country quantifies and reports its wealth not simply in terms of gross national product but also with an index of gross national happiness" (166).

[Georgen Charnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great topic. Excellent topic. Very readable. And not a specific citation in the whole book. There's a list of general "interviews," and then a list of poorly formatted general citations, which with a cursory examination shows they don't cover a patch of what was discussed. There's not even references or an appendix listing the citizen science efforts discussed in the book. It really makes the book less useful, and less credible. While I don't have any qualms with the content, I just found the complete lack of scholarly intent to be quite disturbing.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book fit the bill of my need to read something encouraging, optimistic, and informative. Despite having a lot of information that made me frown (because that's the reality of our world), I came away each sitting feeling better about things knowing there are people taking charge and that I can participate. Author provides many places to start and a main one to pitch in.
Really liked this book. Added to my understanding of a whole lot of things.

Definitely recommend.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As most of you probably know already, I work in science, so I’m not a completely objective reviewer of this book. That said, I loved it. The author describes the science and the contribution citizen scientists make in a clear and accessible way. She was incredibly enthusiastic about the difference citizen scientists make in their communities, in the scientific community, and in the world. I found this very inspiring and will definitely be looking for some citizen science projects to get involved in at SciStarter.com. Whatever your hobbies or interests, whether you prefer to sit at a computer or get out in nature, the author describes projects that you’re likely to find appealing. If you want to get more involved in your community, are curious about science, or have kids who’d participate in citizen science projects with you, I suggest checking out the website and the book.

This review first posted on Doing Dewey.

[Ann Busbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love a book that teaches me something new and increases my awareness of the world around me. This book did just that. And it inspired me, as well. Now, more than ever, it's important for all of us to become involved in science. There are so many exciting opportunities to participate. Together we can make a difference!

[Eric Proctor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to assist with a training for work. It had a good number of stories, many of which I was not familiar with. I was intrigued by the history of the AIDS research movement. I am not sure how much the average reader would get from this book unless they were explicitly interested in citizen science. Even so, I am not sure the book, in its entirety is necessary. You could reference the links discussed in the Call to Action section and be good. I do, however, feel this book could be good for those who need help understanding the value of citizen science.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Citizen Science is a beautiful story that gives insight to science, research, and citizens that contribute to our community. This book creates a deep appreciation for collective discovery of science and valuing everyone’s contributions. The research projects described are of a wide variety from many different types of science that bring richness to this book including astronomers, bird watchers, gamers, and sailors. The book shows us how individuals can fight for environmental justice and to prevent climate change. Civic engagement has a new meaning after reading this book. Science becomes a right for every citizen.

[Brown Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody loved it. Discovered Caren Cooper in one of the courses I teach at uni, thorough her TED talk, and put her book on my to read list. It's everything I hoped it would be, and makes me want to be more of a citizen scientists myself, and teach my boys to become citizen scientists too. Defo a keeper.

[Desiree Muller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected, but very informative. I found myself reading out of order because some chapters were more interesting to me than others.

[Hind · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a bit dry, but there are lots of interpreting stuff in there.

[Bob Mcinnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written primer to the depth of participation and involvement of all of us in measuring and monitoring in our real world.

[Mukesh Raman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read hand book for emerging citizen scientists. Covering from history to various powerful stories of citizen scientists and also the future of it.

[Krayfish1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at how everyone can contribute to the creation of knowledge and an argument to bring science out of ivory towers. It felt inspiring & hopeful.

[Michael Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the topic of Citizen Science--highly recommended.

[Log · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book! Very interesting and informative. Some parts were....not so much. But overall a very good read! Last few chapters especially were SO INTERESTING. i have gone down a research rabbithole
Some of the ideas were a bit conflicting - but it's a big field so I can see how not everything would line up (extending science to the public means SO MANY more conflicting views and approaches)

Big data....I'm still not sold from the privacy side (ESPECIALLY in relation to the chapters about medical/health monitoring). There was a line like "the good of the research outweighs the privacy breaches" but - does it? dude. Privacy breaches in health are serious - it can affect livelihood, access to treatment, insurance... Also even if data is anonymised - serious attackers can piece data together by collecting known data points, narrowing down the target, etc. Though the impacts for science are clearly GOOD the personal impacts should still be considered....(although the data being discussed in this book is collected with volunteer informed consent, so?) (idk man I just got into information privacy and security and now im deep in research also paranoia)

Did not like: brony chapter.....i just.......cant do this
nitpick: pokego is augmented reality not virtual (the difference is important TO ME)

i would like to thank being stuck in a car for 7 hours for helping me finish this book (i am an unmotivated reader even when i like the book what can i say u_u)

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfairly I find it annoying when an author writes things like "As we'll see in Chapter 3" or "Who'll we'll meet in Chapter 10." Started rough but was a positive picture of how individuals can come together to change the world through science.

[Candy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can get a little technical, but it's interesting to hear all the contributions these volunteer scientists have made.

[Jon]

2-2.5

Could have used a better editor or proofreader. Way too much of the author's opinions bled through to the text. I did enjoyed the Astronomy chapters, especially the star observation logbook quote from Maury in the Conclusion.