Social weather: A review of crowdsourcing‐assisted meteorological knowledge services through social cyberspace. (18th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Yifan; Zhang, Sifan; Li, Yinan; Lu, Hao; Shi, Kaize; Niu, Zhendong
• Is Part Of: Geoscience data journal. Volume 7:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 61
• Page End: 79
• Publication Date: 2019-12-18
• Subjects: crowdsourcing -- data‐driven -- knowledge services -- meteorological services -- social space; Earth sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Documentation -- Periodicals; 550.28557
• DOI: 10.1002/gdj3.85
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-6060

Abstract

Abstract: Crowdsourcing has significantly motivated the development of meteorological services. Starting from the beginning of 2010s and highly motivating after 2014, crowdsourcing‐driven meteorological services have evolved from a single collection and observation of data to the systematic acquisition, analysis and application of these data. In this review, by focusing on papers and databases that have combined crowdsourcing methods to promote or implement meteorological knowledge services, we analysed the relevant literature in three dimensions: data collection, information analysis and meteorological knowledge applications. First, we selected the potential data sources for crowdsourcing and discussed the characteristics of the collected data in four dimensions: consciousness, objectiveness, mobility and multidisciplinary. Second, based on the purpose of these studies and the extent of utilizing data as well as knowledge, we categorize the crowdsourcing‐based meteorological analysis into three levels: relationship discovery, knowledge generalization and systemized service. Third, according to the application scenario, we discussed the applications that have already been put into use, and we suggest current challenges and future research directions. These previous studies show that the use of crowdsourcing in social space can expand the coverage as well as enhance the performance of meteorological service. It was also evident that current researches are contributing towards a systemic and intelligent knowledge service to establish a better bridge among academic, industrial and individual community. Abstract : Social space‐based meteorological research powered by crowdsourcing is surveyed and termed as "social weather". By reviewing data sources, analytical methods, and application areas, current challenges and the issues that need to be broke, and predict the future value of social weather research are discussed. Based on previous studies, conclusion that use of crowdsourcing in social space can expand the coverage as well as enhance the performance of meteorological service can be obtained and it was also evident that current researches are contributing towards a systemic and intelligent knowledge service to establish a better bridge among academic, industrial and individual community.