University of Twente Student Theses
Assessing the motivation to submit VGI: Case study of a human sensor web in Zanzibar
Yusra, Subur (2011) Assessing the motivation to submit VGI: Case study of a human sensor web in Zanzibar.
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| Abstract: | Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) can be defined as a Web phenomenon wherein users (largely untrained people) can generate content or access information and add records to such databases by completing geographically-referenced forms (Goodchild, 2007a). This definition in line with Maue (2007) where VGI refers to Geographic information which is created in collaborations with users who usually do not have special skills in handling spatial data. Although in certain cases, it is shown that trained professionals also play major role in contribution of VGI (Budhathoki, et al., 2010; Haklay & Weber, 2008). Furthermore, Tulloch (2008) strengthens the definition of VGI into the type of data and the function of the application which people, either individually or collectively, use to voluntarily collect, organize and/or disseminate geographic information in such manner that the information can be used by many others. The phenomena also shows that the potential use of VGI can be scalable into many forms. This research tries to determine the motivational factor that governs people‘s participation in grievance reporting system. The Human sensor web project on Zanzibar is taken as a use case to illustrate this. Human sensor web is facilitated-VGI, which was set up for testing innovations in water and sanitation monitoring and seeking to put in place powerful and effective monitoring systems on a global scale. The vision is not only to provide tools which service providers can use to better manage services, but also to create a platform, in the public domain, by which citizens can access meaningful information on service provision and so enter into dialogue with service providers on their improvement (h2.0, 2011). As there are accessibility problems with safe drinking water on Zanzibar (Shah, 2003; Yussuf, 2010), the expectation is that people would be motivated to report by using Human sensor web reporting system. In practice however, within the testing environment of human sensor web, there are less reports made in HSW than expected(h2.0, 2011). The results show that potentially the system of HSW project can satisfy the need of local people in complaining, helping, curiosity and fun. But reality shows that not many people are participating. This is caused by certain barriers that prevent people from participating in HSW. These barriers are the existing complaint system, existing in organization to solve water problems, imperfect procedures, accessibility problems, and the socialization barrier. To make local people participate some barrier should be removed such as better socialization and improved procedures. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | ITC: Faculty of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation |
| Programme: | Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation MSc (75014) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/93111 |
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