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Crowdsourced mobile data collection: lessons learned from a new study methodology

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Published:26 February 2014Publication History

ABSTRACT

In this paper we explore a scalable data collection methodology that simultaneously achieves low cost and a high degree of control. We use popular online crowdsourcing platforms to recruit 63 subjects for a 90-day data collection that resulted in over 75K hours of data. The total cost of data collection was dramatically lower than for alternative methodologies, with total subject compensation under $3.5K US, and a total of less than 10 hours/week spent by researchers managing the study. At the same time, our methodology enhances control and enables richer study protocols by allowing direct contact with subjects. We were able to conduct surveys, exchange messages, and debug remotely with feedback from subjects. In addition to reporting on study details, we also discuss interesting findings and offer lessons learned.

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  1. Crowdsourced mobile data collection: lessons learned from a new study methodology

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        cover image ACM Conferences
        HotMobile '14: Proceedings of the 15th Workshop on Mobile Computing Systems and Applications
        February 2014
        134 pages
        ISBN:9781450327428
        DOI:10.1145/2565585

        Copyright © 2014 ACM

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        Association for Computing Machinery

        New York, NY, United States

        Publication History

        • Published: 26 February 2014

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        HotMobile '14 Paper Acceptance Rate22of72submissions,31%Overall Acceptance Rate96of345submissions,28%

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