Data Collection Interfaces in Online Communities: The Impact of Data Structuredness and Nature of Shared Content on Perceived Information Quality

Abstract

The growth of online communities has resulted in an increased availability of user-generated content (UGC). Given the varied sources of UGC, the quality of information it provides is a growing challenge. While many aspects of UGC have been studied, the role of data structures in gathering UGC and nature of to-be-shared content has yet to receive attention. UGC is created in online platforms with varying degrees of data structure, ranging from unstructured to highly-structured formats. These platforms are often designed without regard to how the structure of the input format impacts the quality of outcome. In this study, we investigate the impact of the degree of data structure on the perceived quality of information from the novel perspective of data creators. We also propose and evaluate a novel moderating effect due to the nature of content online users wish to share. The preliminary findings support our claims of the importance of these factors for information quality. We conclude the paper with directions for future research and expected contributions for theory and practice.