[Crowdsourcing is a new method for generating data for scientific research].

Crowdsourcing (CS) is a rapidly emerging method in scientific research. In CS, large groups of people generate new data or try to find solutions to specific research questions, mainly by online collaboration. Examples of the current use of CS in medicine include disease surveillance as well as diagnosis of rare conditions. CS techniques are rapid, low cost and geographically independent - traits lacking in traditional types of study design. However, CS as a method has not yet found its place in the evidence rating scale and a standard for conducting and reporting CS studies does not yet exist.