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Shah SGS, Barrado-Martín Y, Marjot T, Tomlinson JW, Kiparoglou V. Recruitment, Retention, and Training of Citizen Scientists in Translational Medicine Research: A Citizen Science Initiative on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Cureus 2024; 16:e56038. [PMID: 38606249 PMCID: PMC11008778 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Citizen science is a participatory science approach in which members of the public (citizens) collaborate with scientists and professional researchers and become involved in research and innovation activities, resulting in the co-creation of scientific knowledge and innovation. Citizen science has been widely applied in research, particularly in the social sciences, environmental sciences, information and communication technologies, and public health. However, the application of this approach in clinical sciences, particularly in translational medicine research, is still nascent. This exploratory study involved members of the public (citizen scientists) in a translational medicine experiment on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that incorporated a lifestyle and weight-loss intervention. The aim of this paper is to report successful methods and approaches for the recruitment, retention, and training of citizen scientists. For the citizen scientists' recruitment, online calls placed on the websites of our research project and biomedical research center and targeted emails were the most helpful. Of the 14 members of the public who expressed interest in our study, six were recruited as citizen scientists. Citizen scientists were mostly female (n = 5, 83%), white (n = 3, 50%), over 50 years of age (n = 4, 67%), educated to postgraduate level (n = 5, 83%), and either retired or not in employment (n = 5, 83%). The retention rate was 83% (n = 5), and the dropout rate was 17% (n = 1). We arranged instructor-led interactive online training sessions (an hour-long one-on-one session and two-hour group sessions). Research skills training covered ethics in research and qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Citizen scientists were given several incentives, such as reimbursement of travel and care costs, selection as citizen scientists of the month, publications of their blogs and perspective articles, and co-authorship and acknowledgement in papers and project deliverables. To conclude, members of the public (particularly middle-aged white women with postgraduate education) are interested in becoming citizen scientists in translational medicine research. Their retention rate is higher, and they can contribute to different research activities. However, they need training to develop their research skills and expertise. The training should be simple, comprehensive, and flexible to accommodate the schedules of individual citizen scientists. They deserve incentives as they work on a voluntary basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Ghulam Sarwar Shah
- Public Health, Oxford University Hospitals National Health Services (NHS) Foundation Trust, Oxford, GBR
| | | | - Thomas Marjot
- Diabetes and Endocrinology, University of Oxford, Oxford, GBR
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Westworth SOA, Chalmers C, Fergus P, Longmore SN, Piel AK, Wich SA. Understanding External Influences on Target Detection and Classification Using Camera Trap Images and Machine Learning. Sensors (Basel) 2022; 22:5386. [PMID: 35891075 PMCID: PMC9319727 DOI: 10.3390/s22145386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Using machine learning (ML) to automate camera trap (CT) image processing is advantageous for time-sensitive applications. However, little is currently known about the factors influencing such processing. Here, we evaluate the influence of occlusion, distance, vegetation type, size class, height, subject orientation towards the CT, species, time-of-day, colour, and analyst performance on wildlife/human detection and classification in CT images from western Tanzania. Additionally, we compared the detection and classification performance of analyst and ML approaches. We obtained wildlife data through pre-existing CT images and human data using voluntary participants for CT experiments. We evaluated the analyst and ML approaches at the detection and classification level. Factors such as distance and occlusion, coupled with increased vegetation density, present the most significant effect on DP and CC. Overall, the results indicate a significantly higher detection probability (DP), 81.1%, and correct classification (CC) of 76.6% for the analyst approach when compared to ML which detected 41.1% and classified 47.5% of wildlife within CT images. However, both methods presented similar probabilities for daylight CT images, 69.4% (ML) and 71.8% (analysts), and dusk CT images, 17.6% (ML) and 16.2% (analysts), when detecting humans. Given that users carefully follow provided recommendations, we expect DP and CC to increase. In turn, the ML approach to CT image processing would be an excellent provision to support time-sensitive threat monitoring for biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally O. A. Westworth
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK;
| | - Carl Chalmers
- School of Computer Science and Mathematics, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (C.C.); (P.F.)
| | - Paul Fergus
- School of Computer Science and Mathematics, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (C.C.); (P.F.)
| | - Steven N. Longmore
- Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK;
| | - Alex K. Piel
- Department of Anthropology, University College London, Taviton Street, London WC1H OBW, UK;
| | - Serge A. Wich
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK;
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Abstract
Yunnaniata Lopatin, 2009 is regarded as a junior synonym of Furusawaia Chûjô, 1962 syn. nov. Yunnaniatakonstantinovi Lopatin, 2009 comb. nov. is transferred to the genus Furusawaia Chûjô and redescribed. Furusawaiacontinentalis Lopatin, 2008 and F.yosonis Chûjô are recognized as valid species and redescribed. Four new species are described from Taiwan: F.jungchani sp. nov., F.lui sp. nov., F.tahsiangi sp. nov., and F.tsoui sp. nov. A key to Taiwanese and Chinese species of Furusawaia is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Feng Lee
- Applied Zoology Division, Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, Taichung 413, Taiwan Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute Taichung Taiwan
| | - Jan Bezděk
- Mendel University in Brno, Department of Zoology, Fisheries, Hydrobiology and Apiculture, Zemĕdĕlská 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic Mendel University in Brno Brno Czech Republic
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Hoeksema BW, Yonow N. Rarity in the native range of the Lessepsian migrant Plocamopherus ocellatus (Nudibranchia): fact or artifact? Ecology 2021; 102:e03481. [PMID: 34275153 PMCID: PMC9285030 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bert W Hoeksema
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 11103, 9700 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9505, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nathalie Yonow
- Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
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Watson KS, Henderson V, Murray M, Murphy AB, Levi JB, McDowell T, Holloway-Beth A, Gogana P, Dixon MA, Moore L, Hall I, Kimbrough A, Molina Y, Winn RA. Engaging African American Men as Citizen Scientists to Validate a Prostate Cancer Biomarker: Work-in-Progress. Prog Community Health Partnersh 2019; 13:103-112. [PMID: 31378740 PMCID: PMC6693518 DOI: 10.1353/cpr.2019.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND African American men (AAM) are under-represented in prostate cancer (PCa) research despite known disparities. Screening with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has low specificity for high-grade PCa leading to PCa over diagnosis. The Prostate Health Index (PHI) has higher specificity for lethal PCa but needs validation in AAM. Engaging AAM as citizen scientists (CSs) may improve participation of AAM in PCa research.Results and Lessons Learned: Eight CSs completed all training modules and 139 AAM were recruited. Challenges included equity in research leadership among multiple principal investigators (PIs) and coordinating CSs trainings. CONCLUSIONS Engaging AAM CSs can support engaging/recruiting AAM in PCa biomarker validation research. Equity among multiple stakeholders can be challenging, but proves beneficial in engaging AAM in research. OBJECTIVES Assess feasibility of mobilizing CSs to recruit AAM as controls for PHI PCa validation biomarker study. METHODS We highlight social networks/assets of stakeholders, CSs curriculum development/implementation, and recruitment of healthy controls for PHI validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karriem S. Watson
- University of Illinois Cancer Center at University of Illinois at Chicago
- University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, Division of Community Health Sciences
| | - Vida Henderson
- University of Illinois Cancer Center at University of Illinois at Chicago
- University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, Division of Community Health Sciences
| | | | - Adam B. Murphy
- Robert H. Lurie Cancer Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University
- Department of Urology, Northwestern Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Josef Ben Levi
- College of Arts and Sciences, Northeastern Illinois University
| | | | - Alfreda Holloway-Beth
- Project Brotherhood
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health
- Cook County Department of Public Health
| | - Pooja Gogana
- Department of Urology, Northwestern Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Michael A. Dixon
- Department of Urology, Northwestern Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - LeAndre Moore
- Chicago Global Health Alliance
- School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Ivanhoe Hall
- University of Illinois Cancer Center at University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Alexander Kimbrough
- School of Public Health, Division and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois at Chicago
| | - Yamilé Molina
- University of Illinois Cancer Center at University of Illinois at Chicago
- University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, Division of Community Health Sciences
| | - Robert A. Winn
- University of Illinois Cancer Center at University of Illinois at Chicago
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Lee YJ, Arida JA, Donovan HS. The application of crowdsourcing approaches to cancer research: a systematic review. Cancer Med 2017; 6:2595-2605. [PMID: 28960834 PMCID: PMC5673951 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Crowdsourcing is "the practice of obtaining participants, services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, especially via the Internet." (Ranard et al. J. Gen. Intern. Med. 29:187, 2014) Although crowdsourcing has been adopted in healthcare research and its potential for analyzing large datasets and obtaining rapid feedback has recently been recognized, no systematic reviews of crowdsourcing in cancer research have been conducted. Therefore, we sought to identify applications of and explore potential uses for crowdsourcing in cancer research. We conducted a systematic review of articles published between January 2005 and June 2016 on crowdsourcing in cancer research, using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsychINFO, and Embase. Data from the 12 identified articles were summarized but not combined statistically. The studies addressed a range of cancers (e.g., breast, skin, gynecologic, colorectal, prostate). Eleven studies collected data on the Internet using web-based platforms; one recruited participants in a shopping mall using paper-and-pen data collection. Four studies used Amazon Mechanical Turk for recruiting and/or data collection. Study objectives comprised categorizing biopsy images (n = 6), assessing cancer knowledge (n = 3), refining a decision support system (n = 1), standardizing survivorship care-planning (n = 1), and designing a clinical trial (n = 1). Although one study demonstrated that "the wisdom of the crowd" (NCI Budget Fact Book, 2017) could not replace trained experts, five studies suggest that distributed human intelligence could approximate or support the work of trained experts. Despite limitations, crowdsourcing has the potential to improve the quality and speed of research while reducing costs. Longitudinal studies should confirm and refine these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Ji Lee
- Department of Health and Community SystemsSchool of NursingUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvania
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsSchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvania
| | - Janet A. Arida
- Department of Health and Community SystemsSchool of NursingUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvania
| | - Heidi S. Donovan
- Department of Health and Community SystemsSchool of NursingUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvania
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive SciencesSchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvania
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