Examining the Effectiveness of Gamification in Human Computation

ABSTRACT

Within the human computation paradigm, gamification is increasingly gaining interest. This is because an enjoyable experience generated by game features can be a powerful approach to attract participants. Although potentially useful, little research has been conducted into understanding the effectiveness of gamification in human computation. In this experimental study, we operationalized effectiveness as perceived engagement and user acceptance and examined it by comparing the performance of a gamified human computation system against a non-gamified version. We also investigate the determinants of acceptance and how their effects differ between these two systems. Analysis of our data found that participants experienced more engagement and showed higher behavioral intentions toward the gamified system. Moreover, perceived output quality and perceived engagement were significant determinants of acceptance of the gamified system. In contrast, determinants for acceptance of the non-gamified system were perceived output quality and perceived usability.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Xiaohui Wang

Xiaohui Wang is a PhD candidate at Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University. His research is focused on game experience, human computation, and social network analysis.

Adrian Wei Liang Vu is a research engineer at Living Analytics Research Centre, Singapore Management University. He has obtained a BSc from the School of Information Systems, Singapore Management University.

Dion Hoe-Lian Goh

Dion Hoe-Lian Goh is an associate professor at Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University. His research areas and specialties are social media practices and perceptions, gamification techniques for shaping user perceptions and motivating behavior, and mobile information sharing and seeking.

Ee-Peng Lim

Ee-Peng Lim is a professor at the School of Information Systems, Singapore Management University. His main research interests are data mining and analytics, social media content mining and analysis, social network mining and analysis, and digital libraries.

Adrian Wei Liang Vu

Alton Yeow Kuan Chua is an associate professor at Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University. His current research interests lie in information and knowledge management, communities of practice, online education, and social computing.

Alton Yeow Kuan Chua

Alton Yeow Kuan Chua is an associate professor at Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University. His current research interests lie in information and knowledge management, communities of practice, online education, and social computing.