revisions Introd

Author: rachel-chase

docs/01-intro/introduction.mdx

@@ -11,29 +11,29 @@ sidebar_position: 1
 
 > Jacob van Etten, Jonathan Steinke, Kauê de Sousa
 
-Tricot (triadic comparisons of technologies, pronounced “try-cot”) is a citizen science approach for testing technology options in their use environments, originally conceived in 2011 [@vanEtten2011]. The Oxford English Dictionary defines citizen science as “the collection and analysis of data relating to the natural world by members of the general public, typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists”. Different definitions are given by others, but our use of it is not far from this one. As a citizen science approach, tricot actively involves non-scientists in experimental data generation and interpretation. This follows a broader movement of applying citizen science and crowd sourcing methods in research on food and agriculture, providing a fresh lease of life to participatory agricultural research [@VandeGevel2020;@Ryan2018;@Minet2017].  
+Tricot (triadic comparisons of technologies, pronounced “try-cot”) is a citizen science approach for testing technology options in their use environments, originally conceived in 2011 [@vanEtten2011]. The Oxford English Dictionary defines citizen science as “the collection and analysis of data relating to the natural world by members of the general public, typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists”. Different definitions are given by others, but our use of it is not far from this one. As a citizen science approach, tricot actively involves non-scientists in experimental data generation and interpretation. This follows a broader movement of applying citizen science and crowdsourcing methods in research on food and agriculture, providing a fresh lease of life to participatory agricultural research [@VandeGevel2020;@Ryan2018;@Minet2017].  
 
-Tricot addresses important challenges in on-farm testing [@deSousa2024]. In addition, the approach is increasingly used for areas closely related to on-farm testing of varieties, such as food product testing for sweetpotato implemented by CIP [@Moyo2021] and gari/eba implemented by IITA [@Alamu2023; @Olaosebikan2023]. Testing technologies in their use environments is important for external validity of experiments, the degree to which the findings have application outside of the experimental setting. To overcome common issues in user testing, the tricot approach streamlines the approach through digital support throughout the experimental cycle, simplifies the experimentation format to make user participation easy, and enhances data analysis by enriching it with data about the user context. 
+Tricot addresses important challenges in on-farm testing [@deSousa2024]. In addition, the approach is increasingly used for areas closely related to on-farm testing of varieties, such as food product testing by consumers [@Moyo2021;@Alamu2023;@Olaosebikan2023]. Testing technologies in their use environments and product concept testing [@Dononvan2025;@Rutsaert2022] is important for external validity of experiments, the degree to which the findings have application outside of the experimental setting. To overcome common issues in user testing, the tricot approach streamlines the approach through digital support throughout the experimental cycle, simplifies the experimentation format to make user participation easy, and enhances data analysis by enriching it with data about the user context. 
 
-The method was first implemented and tested between 2013 and 2016 for on-farm testing of varieties, and an earlier article reported about methodological progress in this period [@vanEtten2019]. Much of this work was part of the Seeds for Needs initiative, aiming at broadening the range of varietal diversity to farmers to adapt to climate change [@Fadda2020]. These projects were focused on cereals and grain legumes. Since then, the tricot approach has been used for other trials, by different organizations (including private sector) and for different applications (food products, fertilizers, etc.), and for clonal crops (cassava, sweetpotato, potato), vegetables, and a perennial crop (cacao). 
+The tricot approach was first implemented and tested between 2013 and 2016 for on-farm testing of varieties, and an earlier article reported about methodological progress in this period [@vanEtten2019]. Much of this work was part of the Seeds for Needs initiative, aiming at broadening the range of varietal diversity to farmers to adapt to climate change [@Fadda2020]. These projects were focused on cereals and grain legumes. Since then, the tricot approach has been used for other trials, by different organizations in the public and private sector for different applications (food products, product concepts, fertilizers, etc.), and for clonal crops (cassava, sweetpotato, potato), vegetables, and a perennial crop (cacao). 
 
 ## Description of the tricot approach 
 
-Tricot enables many citizen scientists doing a small experiment while contributing to answering a larger question. Researchers and citizen science participants are supported throughout the experiment cycle by digital tools to design, execute, monitor and analyze the trials. As many citizen scientists contribute and do experiments in their typical use environments using their usual practices, it becomes possible to start to understand how variation in environments and practices affects the results. The trajectory from conceptualization of tricot in 2011 to its scaling phase in 2022 is described by de Sousa et al. [-@deSousa2024].
+Tricot enables many citizen scientists each doing a small experiment while contributing to answering a larger question. Researchers and citizen science participants are supported throughout the experiment cycle by digital tools to design, execute, monitor and analyze the trials. As many citizen scientists contribute and do experiments in their typical use environments using their usual practices, it becomes possible to start to understand how variation in environments and practices affects the results. The trajectory from conceptualization of tricot in 2011 to its scaling phase in 2022 is described by de Sousa et al. [-@deSousa2024].
 
 The particular way in which tricot works makes these steps possible. The following aspects are key to tricot:  
 
-1. The use of incomplete blocks of three items: makes the threshold of participation low in terms of farm size, and reduces resource needs and training required;
+1. The use of small incomplete blocks makes the threshold of participation low in terms of farm size, and reduces resource needs and training required;
 
-2. The use of ranking as the main way to report observations: facilitates digital data collection and makes it possible to evaluate an experiment with very little training and calibration; 
+2. The use of rankings and simple measurements to report observations facilitates digital data collection and makes it possible to evaluate an experiment with very little training and calibration; 
 
-3. The limited control of experimental conditions: following common local technology use practices to maximize external validity;
+3. The limited control of experimental conditions following common local technology use practices to maximize external validity;
 
 4. The use of a streamlined digital process from trial design to analysis: makes it manageable, executable with many participants, reduces errors and costs, and quickly delivers feedback to achieve high motivation and impact on subsequent decisions; 
 
 5. Early feedback of the results to the participants: provides ownership and stimulates engagement of participating “citizen scientists”. 
 
-Tricot builds on existing participatory research formats that have been used in the past, as documented by [@vanEtten2019]. The novelty of the format is the combination of the different elements in a standardized, widely used approach supported by a corresponding digital platform, ClimMob (https://climmob.net). The platform is described in detail in Quirós et al. [-@Quirs2024] and throughout this eBook. ClimMob supports the user in designing a trial, randomizing the entries, creating electronic questionnaires, collecting the data, monitoring trial progress, and generating reports. 
+Tricot builds on existing participatory research formats that have been used in the past, as documented by Van Etten et al. [-@vanEtten2019]. The novelty of the format is the combination of the different elements in a standardized, widely used approach supported by a corresponding digital platform, ClimMob (https://climmob.net). The platform is described in detail in Quirós et al. [-@Quirs2024] and throughout this book. ClimMob supports the user in designing a trial, randomizing the entries, creating electronic questionnaires, collecting the data, monitoring trial progress, and generating reports. 
 
 ## How is the tricot approach is used?
 
@@ -45,25 +45,20 @@ Farmers receive three randomly assigned technology options (e.g., seed varieties
 
 2. Consumer testing
 
-Tricot integrates consumer preferences for end-use products (e.g., taste, cooking quality, shelf life). Farmers and end-users assess outputs from tested options (e.g., crops, processed goods) to ensure alignment with market demands. The approach helps bridge the gap between agricultural production and consumer needs by combining field performance with end-user satisfaction [@Alamu2023; @Olaosebikan2023].
+Tricot is used to assess consumer preferences for end-use products (e.g., taste, cooking quality, shelf life). The approach helps bridge the gap between agricultural production and consumer needs by combining field performance with end-user satisfaction [@Alamu2023; @Olaosebikan2023].
 
 3. Concept testing
 
-Tricot can be used to evaluate broader concepts, such as innovative farming practices, new varieties and agroforestry designs. Participants compare three alternatives in usability, practicality, or benefits, ensuring the development of context-specific solutions [@Donovan2025]. This iterative testing phase supports refining ideas before large-scale implementation.
+Tricot can be used to evaluate broader concepts, such as new varieties, innovative farming practices and agroforestry designs. Participants compare alternatives in terms of usability, practicality, or benefits, ensuring the development of context-specific solutions [@Donovan2025]. This iterative testing phase supports refining ideas before large-scale implementation.
 
 4. Scaling and adaptation
 
-Tricot's simplicity allows broad implementation across geographies, crops, and technologies [@deSousa2024]. The model is adaptable to low-resource settings, supporting smallholders while enabling private sector product testing. It also fosters inclusitivity, involving women, youth, and marginalized groups in the innovation process.
+Tricot's simplicity allows broad implementation across geographies, crops, and technologies [@deSousa2024]. The model is adaptable to low-resource settings, supporting smallholders while enabling private sector product testing. 
 
 5. Outcomes and impact
 
-Enhances crop diversity and resilience by tailoring recommendations to local needs [@Gotor2021]. Speeds adoption rates by aligning product characteristics with farmer and consumer preferences [@Occelli2024]. Supports sustainable and climate-adaptive agriculture by integrating real-world testing with robust scientific analysis. In summary, the tricot approach is a dynamic, end-to-end solution for product use testing in agriculture, integrating farmer trials, consumer insights, and conceptual testing. It drives innovation by prioritizing user needs, ensuring product relevance, and enabling resilient and inclusive agricultural systems.
+Tricot contributes to an impact by enabling the evaluation of many options in local contexts. It enhances crop diversity and resilience by tailoring recommendations to local needs [@Gotor2021]. It speeds adoption rates by aligning product characteristics with farmer and consumer preferences [@Occelli2024]. It supports sustainable and climate-adaptive agriculture by integrating real-world testing with robust scientific analysis. It also fosters inclusitivity, involving women, youth, and marginalized groups in the innovation process. In summary, the tricot approach is a dynamic, end-to-end solution for product use testing in agriculture, integrating farmer trials, consumer insights, and conceptual testing. It drives innovation by prioritizing user needs, ensuring product relevance, and enabling resilient and inclusive agricultural systems.
 
-## How the tricot approach works 
-
-With the tricot method, large numbers of farmers carry out many small, simple trials on their own farms instead of a few big, complex trials conducted at research stations. The trial manager provides the participating farmers with material for the on-farm trials. The farmers provide observations from their trials to the agricultural research center, where the data from all mini-trials is aggregated and analyzed. The trial manager then feeds back the findings to the farmers.
-
-With tricot, research centers can validate and disseminate new agricultural technologies in a participatory way, collaborating with a large number of farmers under diverse conditions. Large-scale tricot experiments, involving many farmers, generate excellent/reliable results about the performance of different technology options (such as different crop varieties or different fertilizer types) in different environments. Farmers evaluate the new technology options on their own farms and under real conditions. 
 
 ![Tricot stakeholders](/img/stakeholders.png)
 

docs/01-intro/steps.mdx

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ The implementing organization uses the ClimMob [(www.climmob.net)](https://climm
 The tricot project will only work well if ClimMob is used from the very start and implementers are trained in its use. After designing the project, the implementers prepare trial packages, which include experimental quantities of three randomly selected technology options generated by the ClimMob platform.
 
 ## Step 3: Recruitment
-The implementers recruit dedicated farmers interested in improving their farming through the use of new technologies.
+The implementers recruit dedicated farmers interested in improving their farming through the use of new technologies. The number of farmers needed for a trial is determined by the number of options to test. Local field agents are assigned to groups of farmers to facilitate the trial setup and data collection. 
 
 ## Step 4: Distribution
 Farmers are trained in the tricot approach and on how to collect data. Each farmer receives a trial package of three technologies to be tested.
@@ -31,13 +31,13 @@ Farmers are trained in the tricot approach and on how to collect data. Each farm
 Farmers use their trial packages to apply the new technology options separately, on small plots next to each other, in a mini-trial on their own farm. To avoid any bias, they are not aware of the names of the crop varieties or other technology options they are testing. These are revealed to them only after the data has been collected.
 
 ## Step 6: Observation
-Every farmer is responsible for their own trial and makes various easy observations about their three options over the course of the season. For example: Which variety had the highest or the lowest yield? The farmers record these observations on an observation card.
+Every farmer is responsible for their own trial and makes various easy observations about their three options over the course of the season. For example: Which variety had the highest or the lowest vigor? The farmers record these observations on an observation card. Yield can be measured quantitatively. 
 
 ## Step 7: Compilation
-The local designated field agents collect and compile the observation data from the tricot farmers, either in person or by phone. They record the information digitally and send them on to the implementing organization. For this, they can use the free ‘ODK Collect’ smartphone app, which is connected to the ClimMob software.
+The local designated field agents collect and compile the observation data from the tricot farmers, either in person or by phone. They record the information digitally and send them on to the implementing organization. For this, they can use the free ‘ODK Collect’ smartphone app, which is connected to the ClimMob software. Also, other options are available.
 
 ## Step 8: Analysis
-The implementers compile and analyze the data from the trials, using the ClimMob online software or other software (e.g. R Studio, R-Instat), to identify which technology options showed the best performance and under which conditions.
+The implementers compile and analyze the data from the trials to identify which technology options showed the best performance and under which conditions. ClimMob provides an automatic report for quick analysis. Also, analysis can be done with easy-to-use statistical software (R-Instat or using R).
 
 ## Step 9: Feedback
 The implementers provide feedback to every participating farmer including the names of their three technology options, which options were most suited to their farm (out of the three options tried by them and out of all the options tried by farmers throughout the project), and where to obtain them.

docs/ref.bib

@@ -879,4 +879,13 @@ @article{Papoutsoglou2020
   year = {2020},
   month = apr,
   pages = {260–273}
+}
+  
+  @article{Rutsaert2022
+Solr-dig-cgspace-10568-128238,
+title = {Future market segments for hybrid maize in East Africa},
+author = {Rutsaert, Pieter},
+publisher = {CGIAR System Organization},
+year = {2022},
+url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10568/128238}
 }