Citizen scientist community engagement with the HiggsHunters project at the Large Hadron Collider

Abstract

The engagement of citizen scientists with the HiggsHunters. org citizen science project is investigated through analysis of behaviour, discussion and survey data. More than 38,000 citizen scientists from 179 countries participated, classifying 1.5 million features of interest on about 39,000 distinct images. While most citizen scientists classified only a handful of images, some classified hundreds or even thousands. Analysis of frequently used terms on the dedicated discussion forum demonstrated that a high level of scientific engagement was not uncommon. Evidence was found for an emergent and distinct technical vocabulary developing within the citizen science community. A survey indicates a high level of engagement and an appetite for further citizen science projects related to the Large Hadron Collider.