Drivers of Data Contribution to an Electronic Citizen Science Platform for Anglers in Denmark

Abstract

Citizen science platforms are an alternative to traditional survey methods for collecting data from recreational fisheries. However, to supplement data collection, challenges associated with these platforms must be addressed, such as lack of recruitment and sustained engagement. Some platforms distinguish between recruitment and data contribution in that participants might register on a platform, but only a subset starts contributing data, and even fewer continue to do so. To further understanding of drivers behind data contribution, we first assessed the willingness to share information, using response rates to optional questions asked during account registration, among three distinct groups of participants on an electronic citizen science platform for anglers: (i) registered and did not contribute data (registrants); (ii) registered and contributed data in a single year (contributors); and (iii) registered and contributed data in multiple years (sustained contributors). We next modeled demographic and fishery-specific questions to determine specific drivers of data contribution and sustained contribution. Willingness to share information upon registration was lowest among registrants, intermediate among contributors, and highest among sustained contributors. The answer to the question “How important is angling as a hobby for you?” was the main driver in moving from registrant to contributor and from contributor to sustained contributor (i.e., participants who considered angling a more important hobby were more likely to be contributors and sustained contributors). Additionally, the probability of being a contributor declined over time, and angler residence (postal codes) was a driver of sustained contribution. Our findings indicated temporal and spatial instability in the participant base.