KnoWare: A System for Citizen-based Environmental Monitoring

Abstract

Abstract Non-expert scientists are frequently involved in research requiring data acquisition over large geographic areas. Despite mutual benefits for such "citizen science", barriers also exist, including 1) difficulty maintaining user engagement with timely feedback, and 2) the challenge of providing non-experts with the means to generate reliable data. We have developed a system that addresses these barriers. Our technologies, KnoWare and InSpector, allow users to: collect reliable scientific measurements, map geo-tagged data, and intuitively visualize the results in real-time. KnoWare comprises a web portal and an iOS app with two core functions. First, users can generate scientific 'queries' that entail a call for information posed to a crowd with customized options for participant responses and viewing data. Second, users can respond to queries with their GPS-enabled mobile device, which results in their geo- and time-stamped responses populating a web-accessible map in real time. KnoWare can also interface with additional applications to diversify the types of data that can be reported. We demonstrate this capability with a second iOS app called InSpector that performs quantitative water quality measurements. When used in combination, these technologies create a workflow to facilitate the collection, sharing and interpretation of scientific data by non-expert scientists. Keywords: Citizen Science, Cell-phone Spectrometer, Water Contaminant Analysis, Web and Mobile Development, Visualization Introduction The prevalence of smartphones represents an opportunity to gather, create, and consume data from individuals on a scale that has not previously been available. Even the 'average' mobile devices in widespread use have significant computing power and are typically GPS-enabled. Scientific research that requires widespread sampling over geographic areas can benefit greatly by mobilizing members of the population equipped with these devices to conduct scientifically useful measurements or activities. Data generated in this way can complement existing data collection methods. One key advantage of these 'citizen science' initiatives is that sourcing large groups of individuals is an efficient strategy to collect large-scale data sets because contributors typically volunteer their time in exchange for meaningful participation. However, in spite of the benefits, multiple barriers work against increased prevalence of citizen science initiatives, including 1) the difficulty maintaining prolonged user engagement with meaningful feedback, and 2) the challenge of providing non-experts with the means to collect reliable data. We have developed technologies to directly address these barriers by providing 'citizen scientists' with 1) an easy-to-use mechanism to participate in scientific investigations with real time visual feedback, and 2) software and a device that interface with iPhones to collect reliable scientific measurements from color-based test kits in widespread use. Our technologies currently focus on allowing users to record water quality measurements since such data collection requires large, repeated measurement, and there are many existing citizen science initiatives already focused on water quality that may benefit. Our technology platform, called KnoWare, comprises a paired web portal and iOS application for data visualization and mapping. In this report, we use KnoWare in combination with an additional iOS application we created (InSpector) to process images taken with the iPhone camera using an add-on device. The InSpector app allows users to obtain reliable readings of colorimetric water quality tests that currently depend on subjective color-comparisons. These technologies work together to provide an engaging workflow for the collection and interpretation of environmental water quality data by non-professional, citizen scientists. Literature Review The technologies we have developed facilitate citizen science based data collection efforts with the following motivations: increasing exposure and 'literacy' in STEM areas, the potential impact of involving the broader public in scientific efforts to advance research, and opportunities to engage students at our own institution in the development of software and devices with 'real-world' applications. …