JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Innovative ways of planning and conducting research have emerged recently based on the concept of collective intelligence (CI).

Objective:

This study aimed to identify the barriers to mobilizing CI and provide a practical guide for planning and conducting CI projects.

Methods:

We conducted a multinational online open-ended questions survey and semi-structured audio-recorded interviews with a purposive sample of researchers who had experience in running CI projects. The questionnaires had an interactive component enabling respondents to rate and comment on the advice of their fellow respondents. Data analysis was thematic drawing on framework analysis.

Results:

82 respondents from various research fields participated in the survey (n=65) or interview (n=17). The main barriers identified were the lack of evidence-based guidelines for implementing CI, complexity in recruiting and engaging the community and difficulties in disseminating the results of CI projects. We drew on respondents’ experience and advice to develop a practical guide for governance, planning and conducting of CI projects. Particularly, they suggested establishing a diverse coordination team to plan and manage CI projects and setting up common rules for participants in project governance. In project planning, they provided advice on identifying research problems that could be answered by CI, identifying communities of participants. They shared tips on preparing task and interface, organizing communication activities to recruit and engage participants.

Conclusions:

Mobilizing CI is an innovative method to increase research efficiency, although there are several barriers to its implementation. We present a practical guide derived from respondents’ accounts of their solutions and advice on good practice in mobilizing CI.