One common element of the Gather lexicon is the term 'drive-by rating' -- in short, a rating given without much thought or concern for the actual content of the article. Usually, these ratings are either 10 (to show support for a person without having to leave a lengthy comment) or 1 (to show strong disagreement with or dislike of a person without having to leave a lengthy comment.) As a general rule, people are more likely to admit to leaving a drive-by 10, or 'DB10', than a drive-by 1, or 'DB1'. The former is occasionally met with scorn by those who think the rating goes undeserved, but the latter is almost universally reviled to the point where a rating of '1' is almost universally considered an act of malevolence against the poster, regardless of the content of the submission.
I would like to propose a series of experiments. In theory, the act of receiving a rating (and a viewing) of your article earns you points, regardless of the level of the rating. Likewise, comments are presumed to add to your point value regardless of the content of the comment. Therefore, I would like to study the effects of particular guaranteed outcomes on the response of Gatherites.
This article is for discussion of my experiments in Gather sociology, as well as to link to the various experiments in progress and to discuss their results. I am currently running the following experiments:
Experiment 1. Those who respond to the article receive one comment, as well as a rating of 8, on an article, image, or video chosen by the experimenter. The comment includes a standardized link back to the experiment, but is not entirely generic in nature.
Experiment 2. Those who respond to the article receive a generic comment, as well as a rating of 9, on an article, image, or video chosen by the experimenter.
Experiment 3. Those who respond to the article receive one comment, as well as a rating of 2, on an article, image, or video chosen by the experimenter. The comment includes a standardized link back to the experiment, but is not entirely generic in nature.
Experiment 4. Those who respond to the article receive a comment that reads simply 'Thanks for Sharing!', as well as a rating of 10, on an article, image, or video chosen by the experimenter. The comment links directly back to the experiment, and is entirely generic in nature.
This article is for discussion of these experiments only. To participate in an experiment, go to the experiment article and follow the instructions; in most cases, leaving a comment on an experiment article will signify your willingness to participate in the experiment. This series of experiments is not endorsed by Gather.com or its affiliates.
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Comments: 52
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Look forward to your findings.
Good Luck
Good luck!
Speaking of point getting - I can't wait until the Holidays are over and all the articles clearly aimed at racking up points - not of presenting information or a point of view - will end as the season of gift cards passes. Meanwhile, my in box is filled with "what was your first video game" "How many Pac mans can you name" and other drivel, really only worth a drive-by rating.
Thanks Austin - I like that you keep it interesting here.
It'll be interesting to see how people respond throughout the course of the experiments.
Carmel, I'm actually curious as to how people respond based on their expectations of a particular result -- and furthermore, to the aftereffects generated by a particular result.
If I disagree, I can say so, in my comment. I think low ratings just make people feel sad, bad, hurt. Take your pick. Low ratings are discourageing, unproductive, and unneccesary. Any contrast, or critique needed can be done, openly, in the comment.
But, for the sake of the experiment, I'll give you, your 8.
SEE HOW I AM?
And yep, Ada, there are two variables that will be tested within this set of experiments: the rating and the comment. You'll see what I mean as we go on, those are the two elements that will change from experiment to experiment.
They will!?
Please help me clearing my concept about this experiment.
I also feel very little should get a "1". Most "1"'s I've noticed were given to be mean. You can tell this since there are more ratings than comments. If something drives me to give a low point, believe me, I've got something to say about what you wrote.
Does a smile count as a comment?
Experiment 1 is simple enough -- anyone who participates in the experiment (read: comments on that experiment article) receives a (non-generic) comment and a rating of precisely 8. The question is, what happens when those variables change?
----
Speaking of which, it looks like Experiment 1 is slowing down -- if it stops entirely, we'll proceed with the next test.
Variable 1: Rating of 8
Variable 2: Normal comment
Participants: 29
Participants with more than one entry: 3
On to Experiment 2.
I don't post games and in fact have only really posted between twenty to thirty articles in the year I've been gathering as opposed to some who post several articles every day. I participate in few of the games here, limiting myself to ones that require some thought... like Dan's musical games... they're not just 'post a song that starts with ___' games, they usually have a theme and require a little research.
I prefer to read what others write... when it has something to say or if a friends is goofing around like Ina's blank article that generated almost 200 comments, it wasn't intentional a gather gremlin ate the article but it was fun to see how others responded. I also feel that if I'm going to give a low rating it's mostly on some one's article that is obviously poorly written. You know, bad grammar or really poor spelling... with most browsers there are tool bars with spell check available that can be easily obtained and used! Also if it seems the article is a blatant attack on another member I might rate it a one depending on content... I've seen some pretty venomous articles over the past year... and I don't mean the satire. Satire does not include threats and mudslinging!
I try and comment on everything I read but not the usual generic stuff. If I don't have anything to contribute to the discussion that will be what my comment is about...
Sorry Austin, this got rather lengthy but I do think you should know the rationale behind why some people rate the way they do...
Variable 1: Rating of 9
Variable 2: Generic comment
Participants: 38
Participants with more than one entry: 1
On to Experiment 3.
no one cares about ratings austin who is an adult
I'd love to agree with that, but I've seen articles from otherwise rational adults full of fury and hatred towards those who rated their/someone else's pictures (particularly of family members) less than a perfect ten -- let alone a lowly 1. Hence, part of my reason for doing some experimenting. ::grin::
Of course we all care if our ratings are good. I have seen so many people furious at a low rating. Especially in the contests. They can have 100 10's and 1 DB1 and it's the end of the world for them. I've also seen some articles and pictures that don't deserve more than a 5 (including all of mine because I'm not a professional anything) and yet the people are devastated when someone is honest and rates them low. I go with the flow. If someone doesn't like my stuff, I would like if they admitted that when they give the low rating but if they don't that's okay, too.
I'd like to see what you come up with, although didn't see it til you posted Experiment 4. Hope people like me don't skew your results.
Variable 1: Rating of 2
Variable 2: Normal comment
Participants: 30
Participants with more than one entry: 3
Times flagged: 1
Experiment 4 is currently in progress -- and that better be the correct link, heh heh heh.