Topics
Introduction to crowdsourcing
Examples of distributed crowd work pre-internet
Models that stimulate creativity/outcome best
Examples of crowdsourcing - what works and what doesn’t
Mechanical Turk, Wikipedia, Ushahidi, reCAPTCHA
Deep dive into Wikipedia as a crowdsourced platform, analysing its current narratives, and identifying gaps in Indigenous and minority representation
Yannig Roth (May 2012), "Crowdsourcing and CoCreation are Complementary," Innovation Excellence:
This article by Yannig Roth explores the synergistic relationship between crowdsourcing and co-creation. It delves into how these two concepts, while distinct, can complement each other in the realm of innovation and creative processes. Roth argues that while crowdsourcing often involves gathering ideas or solutions from a large group of people, co-creation is more collaborative and involves participants more deeply in the creative process. This piece provides insightful perspectives on how combining these approaches can lead to more innovative and effective outcomes in various fields.
Sneh Gupta & Kulveen Trehan (2022), "Twitter reacts to absence of women on Wikipedia: a mixed-methods analysis of #VisibleWikiWomen campaign," Media Asia:
Gupta and Trehan's study investigates the online campaign #VisibleWikiWomen, which highlights the underrepresentation of women on Wikipedia. Through a mixed-methods analysis, the authors examine Twitter responses to this campaign, shedding light on public perceptions and discussions about gender disparity on the platform. The paper contributes to the broader discourse on digital inclusivity and the representation of marginalized groups in online knowledge repositories.
Dinerstein, C. (Nov. 2018), "A New Way To 'Crowd-Fund' Pharmaceuticals," American Council on Science and Health:
This article by Dinerstein discusses an innovative approach to pharmaceutical development through crowdfunding. It explores how this method can potentially democratize the funding of new drug research and development, allowing the public to directly contribute to and influence the creation of vital medications. The piece also considers the implications of this model for the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare sector.
Nicole VT Lugosi, Nicole Patrie & Kris Cromwell (2023), "Theorizing and implementing meaningful Indigenization: Wikipedia as an opportunity for course-based digital advocacy," Critical Studies in Education:
In this academic paper, Lugosi, Patrie, and Cromwell discuss the use of Wikipedia as a tool for Indigenization in education. They propose that Wikipedia can be a platform for promoting Indigenous perspectives and knowledge, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and diverse information landscape. The paper provides a theoretical framework for understanding how digital platforms like Wikipedia can be utilized in educational settings to advocate for and amplify Indigenous voices and stories.
The reading in module 8 talks about crowdsourcing. The reading from Roth (2012) provides the concept of crowdsourcing " the act of a company or institution taking a function once performed by employees and outsourcing it to an undefined (and generally large) network of people in the form of an open call" (Howe, 2006). As a DH student, the crowdsourcing project "By the People" (Link: https://crowd.loc.gov/) from the Library of Congress is a great example of crowdsourcing in the academic field. In this project, everyone can become a virtual volunteer to transcribe historical documents and contribute to future research. Compared with traditional transcription by employees, crowdsourcing is more cost-effective and rapid.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it is also necessary to consider how to encourage engagement and evaluate the contribution of crowdsourcing platforms. According to Posner, the invisible labour in data work is the part that big companies consciously keep out of the public's sight (D’Ignazio & Klein, 2023). Crowdsourcing projects were mostly voluntary engagement, which means that participants' labour becomes invisible and the value of their work is undervalued. Although Yang et al. (2021) discuss the significant impact of gamification and self-determination theory on participation in crowdsourcing platforms, I think we still need to focus more on how to make this invisible, easily overlooked data work visible and acknowledged.
References
D’Ignazio, C., & Klein, L. F. (2023). Data feminism. Cambridge, MA: The Mit Press.
Roth, Y. (2011). Academic representations of crowdsourcing, co-creation and open innovation. Yannig Roth / This is my personal blog. https://yannigroth.com/2011/10/18/academic-representations-of-crowdsourcing-co-creation-and-open-innovation/
Yang, C., Ye, H. J., & Feng, Y. (2021). Using gamification elements for competitive crowdsourcing: exploring the underlying mechanism. Behaviour & Information Technology, 40(9), 837–854. https://doi-org.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/10.1080/0144929X.2020.1733088
The relationship between crowdsourcing and open data is often complementary and symbiotic. Crowdsourcing involves gathering information, ideas, or services from a large group of people, typically facilitated through online platforms. Open data, on the other hand, refers to data that is freely available to everyone to use and republish as they wish, without restrictions from copyright, patents, or other mechanisms of control. This remind me of some advocates mentioned in Data Feminism, which advocates for recognizing and valuing diverse voices and expertise in data work and promoting inclusive, ethical approaches that prioritize collaboration and community engagement.
ReplyDeleteThis openness and transparency not only provide individuals with the right to voice and utilize data but also aid in a more comprehensive understanding of issues, fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing. Crowdsourcing and open data initiatives often work hand in hand to harness the collective wisdom and efforts of a broader community, leading to more comprehensive, accurate, and impactful datasets that benefit society as a whole.
Just like what Roth mentioned in his article. He explores the synergy between these two ideas, noting how they can work together effectively within innovation and creative endeavors. Roth suggests that although crowdsourcing typically entails gathering input or solutions from a broad audience, co-creation involves a deeper level of collaboration, engaging participants more extensively in the creative journey.
References:
1.D’Ignazio, C. and L. F. Klein (2020). Data Feminism. Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT Press
2.Yannig Roth, (May 2012). Crowdsourcing and CoCreation are Complementary, Innovation Excellence Retrieved from: https://yannigroth.com/2011/10/18/academic-representations-of-crowdsourcing-co-creation-and-open-innovation/
Hi Ginger,
DeleteThank you for providing details on the nuanced differences between crowdsourcing and open data. While reading that, I couldn't help but think of how Big AI Tech companies are running out of data to harvest to train their AI models, and how they're exploring the use of "synthetic information": AI-generated content that AI models will use to train themselves... I wonder if we'll reach a point where human contributions will be valued to a lesser degree than those of AI...
Article: https://www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/2024/04/07/tech-companies-find-the-edge-of-the-internet