Short answer

Design crowdsourcing platforms with a strong focus on usability and features that directly support users' intrinsic needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness to maximize voluntary contributions.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology) (2014)
Method: Mixed Methods Research
Evidence: Strong effect

Users are motivated to contribute to translation crowdsourcing by intrinsic factors like skill development and social connection, but poor platform design can significantly undermine this motivation. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2014 study published in Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology). Using Mixed methods research, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design crowdsourcing platforms with a strong focus on usability and features that directly support users' intrinsic needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness to maximize voluntary contributions.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Intrinsic Motivations Drive Crowdsourced Translation Engagement, But Platform Usability is Key

Users are motivated to contribute to translation crowdsourcing by intrinsic factors like skill development and social connection, but poor platform design can significantly undermine this motivation.

Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology) · 2014

Key Findings

01User-translators are primarily motivated by intrinsic factors such as the satisfaction of competence (skill practice), autonomy (making a difference), and relatedness (collaboration and fun).
02Limitations and flaws in the purpose-built translation platform negatively impacted user satisfaction and motivation by hindering the intended translation activity.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing any crowdsourcing system, conduct thorough user research to understand intrinsic motivators and rigorously test the platform's usability to ensure it supports, rather than detracts from, user engagement.

Project actions

01When researching user motivations, consider both what users say they want and what their behaviour suggests.
02Usability testing is critical for understanding how well a platform supports user goals and motivations.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the primary motivations for individuals to contribute to translation crowdsourcing efforts, particularly when financial compensation is absent, and how do platform design and usability influence these motivations?

MethodMixed Methods Research

ProcedureThe study employed netnography to observe online communities, conducted online surveys to gather quantitative data on motivations, and performed observational studies with elements of usability testing and contextual inquiry to assess the user experience with the translation platform.

ContextOnline Crowdsourcing Platforms (specifically Facebook translation)

Variables

IVPlatform usability and design features

DVUser motivation and contribution levels

CVType of translation task, specific for-profit entity, cultural context of users

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Employs a robust mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative data.
+Focuses on a specific, real-world case study (Polish Facebook user-translators) providing practical insights.

Limitations

The specific motivations and platform issues identified may be unique to the context studied. Generalizing these findings requires further research across different crowdsourcing domains and user groups.

Reliability & validity

The use of multiple data collection methods (netnography, surveys, observation) enhances the study's validity. Reliability could be strengthened by standardizing observational protocols and survey question phrasing.

Think critically

To what extent can platform design overcome a lack of intrinsic motivation, or conversely, can strong intrinsic motivation compensate for a poorly designed platform?

Design Principles

"User motivation in collaborative online environments is a function of both intrinsic psychological needs and the usability of the supporting platform."

Understanding the psychological drivers behind voluntary contributions is crucial for designing effective crowdsourcing platforms. When platforms are difficult to use or hinder the user's sense of competence and autonomy, even strong intrinsic motivation can wane, impacting the success of the initiative.

What This Means for Your Design

People like to help out online for free if they feel good about it and the tools work well. If the tools are bad, they stop wanting to help.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the importance of user-centred design and usability testing in your own design project, especially if it involves collaborative or crowdsourced elements.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the critical interplay between intrinsic user motivations and platform usability in crowdsourcing. Findings suggest that while users are driven by needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness, the effectiveness of the platform in supporting these needs is paramount. Poor usability can directly undermine motivation, even when intrinsic drivers are strong, underscoring the necessity of a user-centred design approach in developing collaborative systems.

Source

Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology)

A study into the motivations of internet users contributing to translation crowdsourcing: the case of Polish Facebook user-translators

journal · 2014

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about intrinsic motivations drive crowdsourced translation engagement, but platform usability is key?: Design crowdsourcing platforms with a strong focus on usability and features that directly support users' intrinsic needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness to maximize voluntary contributions. Evidence: Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology) (2014).
Why does "Intrinsic Motivations Drive Crowdsourced Translation Engagement, But Platform Usability is Key" matter for design?: Understanding the psychological drivers behind voluntary contributions is crucial for designing effective crowdsourcing platforms. When platforms are difficult to use or hinder the user's sense of competence and autonomy, even strong intrinsic motivation can wane, impacting the success of the initiative.
How can designers apply this research?: Design crowdsourcing platforms with a strong focus on usability and features that directly support users' intrinsic needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness to maximize voluntary contributions.
What were the main findings?: User-translators are primarily motivated by intrinsic factors such as the satisfaction of competence (skill practice), autonomy (making a difference), and relatedness (collaboration and fun).. Limitations and flaws in the purpose-built translation platform negatively impacted user satisfaction and motivation by hindering the intended translation activity.
What research method was used?: Mixed Methods Research.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2014 journal from Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing any crowdsourcing system, conduct thorough user research to understand intrinsic motivators and rigorously test the platform's usability to ensure it supports, rather than detracts from, user engagement.
What are the limitations?: The findings are specific to the Polish Facebook user-translator community and may not generalize to all crowdsourcing contexts or cultural groups. The study focused on a specific platform, and results might differ with other translation tools.