What is Crowdsourced Research?
Normally, journalists conduct research on their own and then publish the results. Crowdsourced research shows a new way forward: those affected—tenants, soccer players, and many others—share their knowledge, important data, and input, thereby creating the basis for journalistic analysis. This sheds light on issues that are really important to the community.
Crowdsourced research strengthens the commitment of each and every individual and, almost incidentally, the quality of local and regional reporting in particular. By working together with journalists, those affected also gain an understanding of how good journalism works: an important basis for strengthening democracy.
What can crowdsourced research do (and what can't it do)? 💪
The crowdsourced research method brings a change of perspective to journalism. Instead of setting topics from above, it asks: What drives you? What issues concern you? Readers can submit their experiences and observations directly, often even with photos or other evidence, as well as concrete suggestions for solutions.
This offers two advantages for you: You gain access to stories you would never have come across otherwise. And you can identify patterns and systemic problems behind the individual cases you collect at an early stage. This makes your research more diverse, more in-depth, and more relevant.
What's more, the fact that those affected are involved in the research guarantees you a broad base of relevant information. The results are better, more credible, and less open to attack because those affected were directly involved. This helps you uncover abuses.
However, crowdsourced research cannot collect representative data—that is neither its strength nor its goal. After all, you are only ever surveying your community and not a representative sample. Instead, the focus is on qualitative evidence and personal stories. The wealth of feedback results in journalistic research with real depth.
An example – 'Achtung, Schulweg!' (Watch out, school crossing!) 🎒
The 'Achtung, Schulweg!' campaign, which was carried out in Switzerland and several German cities, shows what is possible: within three weeks, readers reported more than 1,300 dangerous school routes in Cologne alone. An Instagram reel reached over 40,000 views, and the data was used to produce around 20 articles – ranging from personal stories and systemic analyses to political demands.
Although the campaign in Cologne brought the media partner Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger “only” five new paid subscriptions, the community building – including the activation of new target groups such as young parents – and the increased awareness of the medium made it a success in the eyes of the editorial management. You can find the example at this link.
In Switzerland, following research with Beobachter magazine, zebra crossings were retrofitted in many municipalities because conflicts of responsibility were uncovered that no one had previously addressed. The crowdsourced research thus had a positive effect on the safety of schoolchildren.
What is the difference between this and a community survey? 🤷
In a community survey, you only want to get a sense of the mood within the community. This allows you to identify needs, wishes, or opinions and use this information to improve your content. For example, you can respond to topics requested by the community or improve your texts based on feedback.
In crowdsourced research, you work with your community to gather journalistic information in order to uncover specific issues. The community not only provides wishes or feedback, but also forms the basis of your story. You would not have been able to produce the resulting articles without your community, as you would have been missing certain information. You don't ask your community for their opinion on your content, but create content together with them. For example, you can work with your community to map dangerous intersections in your city.
How much effort does citizen research require? ⌛
With online tools such as beabee's CrowdNewsroom, you can start crowdsourced research without much technical know-how – it usually takes an hour to set up. Editorially, you can prepare crowdsourced research for a clearly defined question in one to two weeks.
The ideal duration is between four and six weeks.
During this time, you should continuously evaluate feedback so that you don't get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material.
In addition, during your research you will gain insight into where the participants' concerns lie. The final evaluation and subsequent research for articles usually take another two weeks, depending on the complexity of your research and your available resources.
Creativity is needed to encourage as many people as possible to participate: flyers and postcards, social media campaigns, information stands and pop-ups, the involvement of affected groups, and much more. It is important to remember that research thrives on participation – and on the trust that what is heard will be taken seriously.
Here you can find out what steps are necessary to get crowdsourced research off the ground.
Last updated
Was this helpful?