Engaging Researchers as Academic Professionals via Online Gamified Service: A Participatory Study

Abstract

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) seeks to underline how, why, and in what contexts an individual's behavior is self-motivated, and it has three needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. However, it is unknown about utilizing Self-Determination Theory (SDT) needs of relatedness in citizens' motivation. Citizens such as academic professionals frequently need clarification on how they are progressing on research to avoid feelings of nonbeing progression in achieving their research goal. They may also feel less connected with colleagues and supervisors. To increase their SDT needs, an online gamified service using google drive has been developed. However, we wanted to explore the core elements that support them in doing their work and interacting with others by using gamified service. To do this, we conducted a participatory study with focused group members of 9 researchers as academic professionals from different Universities. The result of the study has informed us that trust and privacy are key elements and other issues that are related to their engagement. The level of autonomy, competence, and relatedness is linked to this, which will demonstrate the effect of an online gamified service on SDT needs.