A comparison of data acquisition and sampling effort between citizen scientists and experts in anthropogenic litter surveys
Chu, C.-Y. (2022). A comparison of data acquisition and sampling effort between citizen scientists and experts in anthropogenic litter surveys. MSc Thesis. Ghent University: Gent. 38 pp.
Despite being a useful tool to fill gaps on spatial and temporal distribution of anthropogenic litter monitoring, there is often concern about citizen science data reliability. Another overlooked point is the considerable amount of workload of experts in data validation. To provide recommendations on data quality improvement and efficient data validation in citizen science initiatives We investigated time effort and data quality in data collecting and validating between citizen scientists and expert counterparts via participating in three citizen science anthropogenic litter monitoring initiatives: SeaWatch-B, COLLECT, and Plastic Pirates. For field sampling, we found a comparable performance regarding collected item and time effort between two groups (Seawatch-B). However, in Plastic Pirates, regarding data validation, there were differences between volunteer-submitted datasets and expert-validated data resulting from missing information issue. Furthermore, considerable data validation workloads (COLLECT and Plastic Pirates] made it difficult for experts to engage with citizen scientists. Herein we proposed recommendations to assist in improving data quality and validate data more efficiently. With concise and participant-tailored sampling protocol design, procedures for confirming vital knowledge prior to embarking, and the assistance of technology, citizen science can be a reliable source of valuable scientific data and, more important, a bridge to connect the gap between public awareness and the marine litter issue, bringing this topic to the public and policymakers’ interest.
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