Title: A Crowdsourcing Practices Framework for Public Scientific Research Funding Agencies

Author: Eoin Cullina (Lero, NUI Galway), Kieran Conboy (Lero, NUI Galway) and Lorraine Morgan (Lero, Maynooth Univeristy)

Abstract: Scientific research and the work of public scientific research funding agencies (SRFAs) has in recent times been impeded by various obstacles and challenges. SRFAs are predominantly engaged in tasks surrounding the assessment and funding of scientific projects through research call processes. Such traditional processes face various problems. Firstly, scientific research in recent years has seen increased competition between participants for decreasing resources globally. Added competition and submissions brings a new layer of complexity to existing processes. Secondly, it is difficult to build and assess multidisciplinary and trans-disciplinary research projects through existing approaches. Thirdly, existing call assessment/peer review processes have shown intellectual insularity, a lack of flexibility and a lack of transparency in project selection mechanisms. It is posited that crowdsourcing presents solutions to many of these challenges. Whereas research has seen the advancement of various crowdsourcing models and taxonomies it is posited that many of these do not suit the specific needs of SRFAs. A practical contribution is required whereby practices are advanced to assist task completion by SRFAs in research assessment and funding processes. Open collaboration presents asa means to enable SRFAs. Accordingly, this research proposes adapting an exemplary crowdsourcing framework for selecting, formulating and evaluating crowdsourcing practices for use by public SRFAs.

This contribution to OpenSym 2016 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2016 proceedings on or after August 17, 2016.