# crowd-source

> way of collecting and curating data collectively

**Wikidata**: [Q104533783](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104533783)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/crowd-source

## Summary
Crowd-source is a method of collecting and curating data collectively, where multiple contributors work together to gather and organize information. It is a collaborative approach to data management that leverages the power of many individuals to create and maintain datasets. Crowd-source is distinct from crowdsourcing, though both involve collective participation.

## Key Facts
- Used by: Wikimedia Foundation
- Subclass of: data curation
- Different from: crowdsourcing
- Wikidata description: way of collecting and curating data collectively
- Part of: data curation (sitelink_count: 7)
- Related to: bug bounty program (sitelink_count: 21)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the difference between crowd-source and crowdsourcing?
A: Crowd-source specifically refers to the collective collection and curation of data, while crowdsourcing is a broader concept that can involve any type of collective contribution, not just data-related tasks.

### Q: Who uses crowd-source methods?
A: The Wikimedia Foundation is a notable user of crowd-source methods, particularly in projects like Wikipedia where volunteers collectively create and edit content.

### Q: Is crowd-source a form of data curation?
A: Yes, crowd-source is classified as a subclass of data curation, which involves ensuring meaningful and enduring access to data through collective effort.

## Why It Matters
Crowd-source represents a fundamental shift in how data is collected and maintained, democratizing the process of information gathering and organization. By distributing the workload among many contributors, crowd-source enables the creation of comprehensive datasets that would be impractical for individuals or small teams to compile alone. This approach has proven particularly valuable in projects requiring extensive knowledge across diverse domains, such as encyclopedias, mapping services, and open-source software documentation. The collaborative nature of crowd-source also promotes transparency and community engagement, as contributors can directly participate in shaping the information landscape. Moreover, crowd-source methods can lead to more accurate and up-to-date data, as a large number of contributors can quickly identify and correct errors or outdated information.

## Notable For
- Collective data curation approach
- Used by Wikimedia Foundation for projects like Wikipedia
- Distinct from general crowdsourcing methods
- Enables creation of comprehensive datasets through distributed effort
- Promotes transparency and community engagement in data management

## Body
### Definition and Scope
Crowd-source is defined as a way of collecting and curating data collectively. This method involves multiple contributors working together to gather, organize, and maintain datasets. The approach is particularly useful for projects that require extensive knowledge across various domains or need to be constantly updated.

### Relationship to Data Curation
As a subclass of data curation, crowd-source plays a crucial role in ensuring meaningful and enduring access to data. Data curation involves the active management of data throughout its lifecycle, from creation to archiving. Crowd-source methods enhance this process by distributing the curation tasks among many contributors, potentially increasing the speed and breadth of data management efforts.

### Distinction from Crowdsourcing
While crowd-source is related to crowdsourcing, it is important to note that they are different concepts. Crowdsourcing is a broader term that encompasses any process of obtaining services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, especially from an online community. Crowd-source, on the other hand, specifically focuses on the collective collection and curation of data.

### Applications and Use Cases
The Wikimedia Foundation is a prominent user of crowd-source methods, particularly in the creation and maintenance of Wikipedia. This encyclopedia relies on volunteers from around the world to collectively write, edit, and fact-check articles, demonstrating the power of crowd-source in creating a vast, multilingual knowledge base. Other potential applications of crowd-source include citizen science projects, open-source software development, and collaborative mapping services.

### Benefits and Challenges
The crowd-source approach offers several benefits, including the ability to quickly gather large amounts of data, diverse perspectives contributing to the information pool, and rapid identification and correction of errors. However, it also faces challenges such as ensuring data quality, managing contributor coordination, and addressing potential biases in the collective input.