Identifying Challenges in Openstreetmap That Potentially Prevent New Users From Contributing

Abstract

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is known as the most successful application of VGI. The fact that it is based on user-generated content often leads to the common assumption that OSM data is neutral. These assumptions are legitimate, but the vast majority of OSM contributors are middle-aged, white, male users. Accordingly, OSM data represents the worldview of a delimited social group and therefore lags behind its actual potential regarding the richness and quality of data with regard to diversity. To overcome this, new and diverse user groups have to be recruited. It is therefore necessary to identify the challenges and barriers specific new user groups face. This chapter elucidates these mechanisms based on literature. Subsequently, the authors present a study with teacher training students that identifies challenges of new OSM users. The results indicate that there are three dimensions of potential barriers: the complexity of OSM, the user experience in OSM, and the user interface of OSM.