1,545 research outputs found
Sociality, community and productivity in Virtual Citizen Science
No full textVirtual Citizen Science describes web-based crowdsourcing activities which recruit volunteers to complete microtasks for scientific research. VCS methodologies have been applied to diverse research challenges, from identifying neurons in MRI-scan images of the optic nerve, to morphologically classifying images of galaxies. Initiatives generally rely on participants’ intrinsic motivations to encourage contributions, but increasingly designers are turning to additional mechanisms – including the use of online community features and discussion platforms such as forums. However, the influence of these features on participant engagement are still poorly understood. Drawing on a pragmatist, mixed-methods approach, this thesis explores the relationship between these social features within task and discussion elements of projects, to understand the influence of such features on volunteer productivity and project efficiency. A literature review of five transdisciplinary databases was conducted to identify design principles, motivations and social features associated with VCS approaches. This was then followed with a review of 48 VCS projects, to better understand the online community features within current VCS initiatives. To understand and clarify these findings, interviews were conducted with six members of the EyeWire project design team. Analysis of competitions in EyeWire demonstrated a relationship between task sociality and increased productivity and activity within the project. Finally, an analysis of two high-pressure VCS projects explores how periods of heavy productivity affect discussion activity. This research contributes to the understanding of motivational factors and design affordances within Virtual Citizen Science and similar crowdsourcing initiatives
Volunteer engagement in short-term virtual citizen science projects
No full textVirtual citizen science (VCS) projects have proven to be a highly effective method to analyse large quantities of data for scientific research purposes. Yet if these projects are to achieve their goals, they must attract and maintain the interest of sufficient numbers of active, dedicated volunteers. Although CSCW and HCI research has typically focussed on designing platforms to support long-term engagement, in recent years a new project format has been trialled -- using short-term crowdsourcing activities lasting as little as 48 hours. In this paper, we explore two short-term projects to understand how they influence participant engagement in the task and discussion elements of VCS. We calculate descriptive statistics to characterise project participants. Additionally, using calculation of correlation coefficients and hypothesis testing, we identify factors influencing volunteer task engagement and the effect this has on project outcomes. Our findings contribute to the understanding of volunteer engagement in VCS
Historical Fiction Author Don Neal Discusses Cold War Activities in Alaska
No full textDuring the Cold War, the USA was concerned that Russia would invade Alaska and American intelligence officers created the Stay Behind Agent Program to counter. At this event, Don Neal, author of the Ben Hunnicutt series that includes Cross Kill, Warhead, and washtub Gold, discusses the Nike missile system, the top-secret anti-espionage campaign Operation Washtub, and other Cold War activities in Alaska
"A game without competition is hardly a game": The impact of competitions on player activity in a human computation game
No full textVirtual citizen science (VCS) projects enable new forms of scientific research using crowdsourcing and human computation to gather and analyse large-scale datasets. To attract and sustain the number of participants and levels of participation necessary to achieve research aims, some VCS projects have introduced game elements such as competitions to tasks. However, we still know very little about how some game elements, particularly competitions, influence participation rates. To investigate the impact of game elements on player engagement, we conducted a two-part mixed-methods study of EyeWire, a VCS game. First, we interviewed EyeWire designers to understand their rationale for introducing competitions. Guided by their answers, we analysed two datasets of EyeWire user task contributions and chat logs to assess the effectiveness of competitions in achieving designers' goals. Our findings contribute to the growing understanding of how competitions influence participant activity in human computation initiatives and socio-technical systems such as VCS
Qrowdsmith: enhancing paid microtask crowdsourcing with gamification and furtherance incentives
Full text linkMicrotask crowdsourcing platforms are social intelligence systems in which volunteers, called crowdworkers, complete small, repetitive tasks in return for a small fee. Beyond payments, task requesters are considering non-monetary incentives such as points, badges, and other gamified elements to increase performance and improve crowdworker experience. In this article, we present Qrowdsmith, a platform for gamifying microtask crowdsourcing. To design the system, we explore empirically a range of gamified and financial incentives and analyse their impact on how efficient, effective, and reliable the results are. To maintain participation over time and save costs, we propose furtherance incentives, which are offered to crowdworkers to encourage additional contributions in addition to the fee agreed upfront. In a series of controlled experiments, we find that while gamification can work as furtherance incentives, it impacts negatively on crowdworkers' performance, both in terms of the quantity and quality of work, as compared to a baseline where they can continue to contribute voluntarily. Gamified incentives are also less effective than paid bonus equivalents. Our results contribute to the understanding of how best to encourage engagement in microtask crowdsourcing activities and design better crowd intelligence systems.</p
Material Spirituality with Neal DeRoo Pt. I
No full textIs spirituality one part of our lives that we experience in worship? Or does it permeate our whole being? Are we able to pull spirituality and religion apart? What would happen if we considered how our spirituality is embodied, deeply, in our world? In this inaugural episode of Critical Faith, Neal DeRoo explores these questions in his lecture "Toward a Material Spirituality: Religion and Phenomenological Expression." The recording is the first of three parts, all from a Scripture, Faith, and Scholarship Seminar hosted at the Institute for Christian Studies.
Neal DeRoo is Canada Research Chair in Phenomenology and Philosophy of Religion and Associate Professor of Philosophy at The King's University in Edmonton, Alberta, and the author of Futurity in Phenomenology: Promise and Method in Husserl, Levinas, and Derrida (Fordham: 2013)
Grace Neal Parkway design concept report
Full text linkabstract: Grace Neal Parkway and Bank Street are located in the northern Kingman area partially outside of the Kingman city limits. This report discusses of creating a new arterial roadway providing safety and convenience for vehicular traffic and pedestrians. Although Grace Neal is referred to as a parkway, its designation for design is arterial.Stockton Hill Road to SR-66; Bank Street assessment, Northern Avenue to Grace Neal Parkway
From the Editor. Decription of author John Neal, his book Portland Illustrate
No full textFrom the Editor. Decription of author John Neal, his book Portland Illustrated (published in 1874), and his relationships with art critic N.C. Willis, Lady Blessington, and painter Charles Codman
John Neal House (as City Motel), 1965
No full textFull exterior view of the John Neal House, 175 State Street, from southwest- east of Longfellow Square. At the time of this photograph, the building was known as The City Motel. The building was constructed in 1836, and was home to author and patron of the arts John Neal. The façade is made of Yarmouth granite, from a quarry purchased by Neal.
Photo published in the Evening Express, on 25 August 1965https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/pphnegs_images_business/1548/thumbnail.jp
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