Investigating the Feasibility of Crowdsourcing Current Events Information in Kenya
Open Access
- Author:
- Leon, Eric
- Area of Honors:
- Elective Area of Honors - Engineering Design
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- John Gershenson, Thesis Supervisor
Sven G Bilén, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- crowdsourcing
kenya
misinformation
smart phone penetration
effective crowd size
intrinsic motivation
secondary cities
trustworthy information - Abstract:
- This thesis explores the viability of crowdsourcing as a method for gathering current events information in Kenya, aiming to address the challenges posed by misinformation and the lack of reliable, local news sources. With a focus on Kenya's unique socio-technological landscape, categorized by high smart phone penetration but limited access to trustworthy traditional media, the research assesses crowdsourcing's potential to provide timely, hyperlocal, and trustworthy information. The study examines factors affecting the feasibility of crowdsourcing, including population density, technological accessibility, intrinsic motivation, and the impact of information. The analysis extends to comparing crowdsourcing's applicability in various geographic settings, emphasizing the contrast between urban, suburban, and rural areas within Kenya and other countries. The findings suggest that secondary cities in Kenya and similar contexts in Africa and Asia present the most favorable conditions for effective crowdsourcing. The study contributes to the understanding of crowdsourcing's role in enhancing information dissemination and combating misinformation, proposing a model for implementing crowdsourced news platforms in regions with high economic need and political fragility. The thesis highlights the importance of tailored approaches to technology deployment in developing countries, advocating for the strategic targeting of secondary cities to maximize the impact of crowdsourced information systems.