To gather normative data and provide data for the machine-learning driving the language analysis functions a novel citizen science project was undertaken. During 2020, a large campaign was undertaken to promote the download of the app and encourage participation of children across the UK aged four to eight years. A partnership with JC Decaux helped amplify the message, during the pandemic. In total 4435 participants created a profile on the citizen science version of the app, and of that 2662 provided a recording following the presentation of the story. The stratified sampling goals were achieved across each sub-group within the sampling framework; having been graded to meet audio quality levels sufficient for transcription and analysis.
There were a significantly higher number of recordings received from SESI (lowest SES quintile representing the most deprived postcodes) than SES5 (the highest SES quintile). This suggests that using mobile technology increased the ability for low SES households to participate in research based citizen science approaches for data collection. Further exploration of the geography of participants is planned.
