Citizen Science and Citizen Neuroscience
What is Citizen Science
Citizen science is science that is conducted by the public and often uses amateur scientists to collect and analyze data. Citizen science often relies on crowd sourcing, as is the case with Eyewire. By collecting small amounts of data from a large group of participants, citizen science provides and effective way to expand and improve on current research projects. A good way to continue the momentum of a citizen science project is to present the research as a game that provides fun for the players and useful scientific data for the researchers.
There are 10 steps towards creating a great citizen science project. Anyone can create one.
What is Citizen Neuroscience
Popular Citizen Science Endeavors
EyeWire is one of many citizen science projects. Others include (ones that include neuroscience are starred):
- Foldit - * helps with Alzheimer's
- Zooniverse - * includes projects like Brain Match and Etch a Cell
- BOINC - * examples are MindModeling@Home and Rosetta@Home
- SciStarter - * like "My Steps 2 Health" Field Test
- Eve Online - see also
Success of Citizen Science
Why Citizen Science has Gained Popularity
Current researchers have better opportunities to reach the public through mobile phones, the internet, etc.