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Crowdsourced science: sociotechnical epistemology in the e-research paradigm

Watson, D; Floridi, L; (2018) Crowdsourced science: sociotechnical epistemology in the e-research paradigm. Synthese , 195 (2) pp. 741-764. 10.1007/s11229-016-1238-2. Green open access

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Abstract

Recent years have seen a surge in online collaboration between experts and amateurs on scientific research. In this article, we analyse the epistemological implications of these crowdsourced projects, with a focus on Zooniverse, the world’s largest citizen science web portal. We use quantitative methods to evaluate the platform’s success in producing large volumes of observation statements and high impact scientific discoveries relative to more conventional means of data processing. Through empirical evidence, Bayesian reasoning, and conceptual analysis, we show how information and communication technologies enhance the reliability, scalability, and connectivity of crowdsourced e-research, giving online citizen science projects powerful epistemic advantages over more traditional modes of scientific investigation. These results highlight the essential role played by technologically mediated social interaction in contemporary knowledge production. We conclude by calling for an explicitly sociotechnical turn in the philosophy of science that combines insights from statistics and logic to analyse the latest developments in scientific research.

Type: Article
Title: Crowdsourced science: sociotechnical epistemology in the e-research paradigm
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1007/s11229-016-1238-2
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-016-1238-2
Language: English
Additional information: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.
Keywords: Bayesian confirmation theory, Citizen science, Epistemic logic, Information and communication technology (ICT), Philosophy of information, Social epistemology, Zooniverse
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Statistical Science
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10118986
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