Finding Volunteers' Engagement Profiles in Human Computation for Citizen Science Projects

• DOI: 10.15346/hc.v1i2.12
• Publication Date: 2014-12-24T17:16:47Z
• Authors: Lesandro Ponciano; Francisco Brasileiro
• Keywords: Citizen Science; Public Engagement; Crowdsourcing; Student Engagement; Community Engagement

Human computation is a computing approach that draws upon human cognitive abilities to solve computational tasks for which there are so far no satisfactory fully automated solutions even when using the most advanced technologies available. citizen science projects consists in designing systems allow large crowds of volunteers contribute scientific research by executing tasks. Examples successful Galaxy Zoo and FoldIt. A key feature this kind project its capacity engage volunteers. An important requirement proposal evaluation new engagement strategies having clear understanding typical volunteers; however, though several have already been completed, little known about issue. In paper, we investigate pattern their interactions projects, how they differ among themselves terms engagement, those volunteer features should be taken into account establishing encouragement brought play given project. To end, define four quantitative metrics measure different aspects use data mining algorithms identify profiles metrics. Our study based on collected from two projects: The Milky Way Project. results show such can grouped five distinct label as follows: hardworking, spasmodic, persistent, lasting, moderate. analysis these provides deeper nature volunteers'