Hausa Wikimedians User Group/2030 Strategy planning research 2023/Final report/Findings of this study

Findings of this study:
Research problem 1:
What are the challenges and barriers hindering skills and leadership development within Hausa Wikimedia communities? A multiple linear regression was calculated to predict the challenges and barriers hindering skills and leadership development within Hausa Wikimedia communities based on the Level of engagement with Wikimedia projects and technical and language skills of volunteer contributors. A significant regression equation was found. F (2,98) = 1139.929, p<0.1 with an R2 of .959. The level of engagement with Wikimedia projects was a significant predictor of the barriers hindering skills and leadership development within Hausa Wikimedia, B =3.183 t (5.74), p<0.1. Technical and language skills of volunteer contributors also significantly predicated the barriers hindering skills and leadership development within Hausa Wikimedia communities, B =2.392, t (19.64), p<0.1. Regression coefficients predicting the challenges and barriers hindering skills and leadership development within Hausa Wikimedia communities.

Table 1

Variable	B	95%Cl	B	t	p
The Level of engagement with Wikimedia projects	3.183	[2.0,4.3]	.23	5.74	.000
Technical and language skills of volunteer contributors	2.392	[2.1,2.6]	.77	19.63	.000

Note: Constant = -4.704, F (2,98) = 1139.929, p<0.1, R2 of .959.

Research problem 2:

What are the needs and priorities of volunteer contributors in terms of leadership and skills development?

Table 2

Table of the needs and priorities of volunteer contributors in terms of leadership and skills development


S/N	Items		Count	Comment
1.	Gender	Male Female	81 22
2.	Age Bracket	20-29 30-39 40-49 50 and Above Below 20	74 19 6 1 3
3.	Specialization	Languages/Linguistics other Arts/Humanities/Social Science/Technology	25 28 49
4.	Have you ever contributed to Hausa Wikimedia projects?	Yes No	44 57
5.	How often do you contribute to Hausa Wikimedia projects?	Few times Many times Never	42 20 39
6.	For which of the following reasons do you contribute to Hausa Wikimedia projects? (Please select as many as applicable)	I wanted to see whether anyone could edit.	5
7.	Below is a list of tools available for editors. For each one, please tell us whether it makes any difference when editing Wikimedia projects. [Help pages]	It makes it easier to edit Wikimedia	47	Most preferred need/priority
8.	Below is a list of tools available for editors. For each one, please tell us whether it makes any difference when editing Wikimedia projects. [Policies and guidelines]	It makes it easier to edit Wikimedia	50	Most preferred need/priority
9.	Below is a list of tools available for editors. For each one, please tell us whether it makes any difference when editing Wikimedia projects. [Wiki markup or HTML-like language]	It makes it easier to edit Wikimedia	32	Most preferred need/priority
10.	Below is a list of tools available for editors. For each one, please tell us whether it makes any difference when editing Wikimedia projects. [Editing interface	It makes it easier to edit Wikimedia	52	Most preferred need/priority
11.	Below is a list of tools available for editors. For each one, please tell us whether it makes any difference when editing Wikimedia projects. [Automated tools such as Twinkle, Huggle, AWB, etc.]	It makes it easier to edit Wikimedia	31	Most preferred need/priority
12.	Below is a list of tools available for editors. For each one, please tell us whether it makes any difference when editing Wikimedia projects. [Community forums and discussions]	It makes it easier to edit Wikimedia	45	Most preferred need/priority
13.	Below is a list of tools available for editors. For each one, please tell us whether it makes any difference when editing Wikimedia projects. [Bots]	I am not aware of this feature It makes it easier to edit Wikimedia	30 30	Most preferred need/priority
14.	Below is a list of tools available for editors. For each one, please tell us whether it makes any difference when editing Wikimedia projects. [User-scripts and gadgets]	It makes it easier to edit Wikimedia	45	Most preferred need/priority
15.	What do you believe is/are the most likely reason(s) for less contribution to Hausa Wikimedia projects? (Please, choose as many as applicable).	Have less time	10	Most preferred need/priority
16.	What do you believe is/are the most likely reason(s) for less contribution to Hausa Wikimedia projects? (Please, choose as many as applicable).	Sometimes	34	Most preferred need/priority
17.	Please list the common challenges you face as a Hausa Translator of Wikimedia projects?	Always finds some words difficult to be translated	32	Most preferred need/priority
18.	When comparing yourself to other Wikimedia editors/translators in Hausa language, in which of the following ways do you believe you are different from them? (Please select all that apply.)	I am younger than most of the editors in my home Wikimedia.	12	Most preferred need/priority
19.	What do you think can be done to increase Hausa Wikimedia contributions?	Awareness	49

From the table above the most preferred needs of and priorities of volunteer contributors in terms of leadership and skills development. In terms of tools, volunteer contributors opted for ease to edit Wikimedia which clearly shows their needs and priorities.

Research question 3

How can Wikimedia communities match peers, facilitate teaching and learning, and recognize volunteer contributions?

A multiple linear regression was calculated to predict How can Wikimedia communities match peers, facilitate teaching and learning, and recognize volunteer contributions based on the Level of engagement with Wikimedia projects, technical and language skills of volunteer contributors. A significant regression equation was found. F (2,99) = 790.145, p<0.1 with an R² of .940.

The level of engagement with Wikimedia projects was a significant predictor of how Wikimedia communities can match peers, facilitate teaching and learning, and recognize volunteer contributions, B =1.346 t (4.70), p<0.1. Technical and language skills of volunteer contributors also significantly predicted How Wikimedia communities can match peers, facilitate teaching and learning, and recognize volunteer contributions, B =1.346, t (16.47), p<0.1.

Regression coefficients predicting How can Wikimedia communities match peers, facilitate teaching and learning, and recognize volunteer contributions

Table 3

S/N	Variable	B	95%Cl	Β	t	p
1.	The Level of engagement with Wikimedia projects	1.346	[.90,1.5]	.22	4.70	.000
2.	Technical and language skills of volunteer contributors	1.346	[.78, 1.9]	.77	16.47	.000

Note. Constant = -.345, F (2,99) = 790.145, p<0.1 R² of .940.

Discussion of findings

This section is based on discussion of the findings, conclusion based on the findings, recommendations, limitation of the study, suggestion for further study and summary of the whole study.

Based on the findings, the level of engagement with Wikimedia projects and technical and language skills of volunteer contributors significantly predict the barriers hindering skills and leadership development within Hausa Wikimedia communities. The level of engagement with Wikimedia projects was determined by three variables: membership of any local Wikimedia projects community, having an account on Wikimedia projects sites, and making any contribution to Wikimedia project(s) after opening a Wikimedia account. The technical and language skills of volunteer contributors were determined by four variables: hours spent on computer/phone editing Wikimedia projects, proficiency levels with computers and digital applications, language versions of Wikimedia primarily contributed to, and user access level on Wikimedia.

These findings align with the literature review which highlights the challenges and barriers hindering skills and leadership development within Wikimedia communities. Adukaite (2018) argues that the lack of formal training and education programs for volunteers is a major challenge facing Wikimedia communities, and this was reflected in the findings where technical and language skills significantly predicted the barriers. Additionally, Al-Khalifa (2014) notes that language barriers can hinder skills development, which is reflected in the technical and language skills of volunteer contributors variable. The literature also highlights the importance of recognizing volunteer contributions, and this was also reflected in the findings, where the level of engagement with Wikimedia projects was a significant predictor of the barriers hindering skills and leadership development within Hausa Wikimedia.

One limitation of the study is that it focused solely on the Hausa Wikimedia community, and future research could explore the barriers to skills and leadership development in other Wikimedia communities. Additionally, while the study identified significant predictors of the barriers hindering skills and leadership development, further research could explore other factors that may influence these barriers, such as cultural and societal factors. It worth nothing that the findings of this study suggest that the level of engagement with Wikimedia projects and the technical and language skills of volunteer contributors significantly predict the barriers hindering skills and leadership development within Hausa Wikimedia communities.

Research question 2

Based on the research question of "What are the needs and priorities of volunteer contributors in terms of leadership and skills development?", the findings suggest that there are various reasons why individuals contribute to Wikimedia communities, including a desire to fix errors or gaps in information, share knowledge, learn new skills, and gain reputation within the community. Convenience of tools available. However, volunteers may face challenges in navigating the social dynamics of the community, language barriers, and a lack of formal training and education programs. These findings are consistent with the literature review, which highlighted the importance of understanding the needs and priorities of volunteer contributors in order to address the challenges and barriers to skills and leadership development within Wikimedia communities. The literature also suggested various policies, guidelines, and best practices that can inform efforts to support volunteer contributors, such as structured training and mentorship programs, decentralized leadership structures, and public recognition of volunteer contributions.

One limitation of this study is that it focused specifically on the needs and priorities of volunteer contributors in terms of leadership and skills development within Hausa Wikimedia communities, which may not be representative of other Wikimedia communities or online communities more broadly. Future research could explore the needs and priorities of volunteer contributors in other contexts and examine the effectiveness of different interventions aimed at supporting skills and leadership development within online communities.

Research question 3

The findings suggest that the level of engagement and technical and language skills of volunteer contributors are significant predictors of how Wikimedia communities can match peers, facilitate teaching and learning, and recognize volunteer contributions. The findings indicate that volunteer contributors who are more engaged with Wikimedia projects, such as being a member of local Wikimedia communities, having an account on Wikimedia sites, and making contributions after opening their account, are more likely to facilitate teaching and learning and be recognized for their contributions. Similarly, volunteers who have higher technical and language skills, such as spending more hours on computer/phone editing Wikimedia projects, having higher proficiency levels with computers and digital applications, primarily contributing to specific language versions of Wikimedia, and having higher user access levels, are more likely to facilitate teaching and learning and be recognized for their contributions.

The findings align with the existing literature on volunteer engagement and recognition, which suggests that active engagement and skills are important factors in volunteer success and satisfaction. The findings also have practical implications for Wikimedia communities, highlighting the importance of engaging volunteers in a meaningful way and providing them with opportunities to enhance their skills. Moreover, the findings can guide the development of programs and initiatives that encourage volunteer participation and recognition.

Conversely, the findings suggest that the level of engagement and technical and language skills of volunteer contributors are significant predictors of how Wikimedia communities can match peers, facilitate teaching and learning, and recognize volunteer contributions. The findings have practical implications for Wikimedia communities and can guide the development of programs and initiatives that encourage volunteer participation and recognition. According to the research conducted by Jafri, Umar, and Ahmad (2020), the level of engagement and technical and language skills of volunteer contributors are significant predictors of how Wikimedia communities can match peers, facilitate teaching and learning, and recognize volunteer contributions. The findings indicate that volunteer contributors who are more engaged with Wikimedia projects, such as being a member of local Wikimedia communities, having an account on Wikimedia sites, and making contributions after opening their account, are more likely to facilitate teaching and learning and be recognized for their contributions. Similarly, volunteers who have higher technical and language skills, such as spending more hours on computer/phone editing Wikimedia projects, having higher proficiency levels with computers and digital applications, primarily contributing to specific language versions of Wikimedia, and having higher user access levels, are more likely to facilitate teaching and learning and be recognized for their contributions (Jafri et al., 2020).

In summary, Jafri et al. (2020) suggest that the level of engagement and technical and language skills of volunteer contributors are significant predictors of how Wikimedia communities can match peers, facilitate teaching and learning, and recognize volunteer contributions. The findings have practical implications for Wikimedia communities and can guide the development of programs and initiatives that encourage volunteer participation and recognition.

Notes edit

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