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CY. A. Kuei Thesis 2022.12.30.pdf (1.15 MB)

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Investigating Gamification Impact on Performance and Engagement in the Descriptive Analysis Panel of Puffed-Rice Cake

Kuei, Chia Yu A.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1672403477720304

Abstract Details

2023, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Food Science and Technology.
Panel performance is a measure of panel reliability and data actionability in sensory testing. However, it is challenging to ensure and/or improve panel performance based on the high variability of human assessors’ responses during sensory testing. Poor panel performance leads to resulting data that lack actionable insights. Such outcomes contribute to wasted resources in product development. Motivation is included in the definition of engagement and is recognized as one of the key factors contributing to data quality from sensory panels. One potential solution to increase panelists’ motivation is through the use of gamification, an effective design strategy to stimulate engagement and performance by applying game elements to targeted non-game environments. Previously, research demonstrated that embedding gaming elements improved panelist engagement, but the impact on performance was equivocal in a series of triangle tests performed in a single sitting. Alternative gamification models suggest that the application of random game elements is not an effective strategy and, instead, they should be optimized for an individual to maximize each subject’s motivation. We hypothesized that optimizing the gamification design increases panelist engagement leading to improved performance under the following conditions: (1) increasing the duration of exposure to the gamification elements and (2) applying the Hexad User Type to characterize panelists into one of six user categories that provide corresponding game elements as motivation drivers with specialized mechanics. Presently, four descriptive analysis panels (n=8,7,7,6) were treated with a two-level factorial design with gamification elements applied during the training phase and/or evaluation stage (control/control, control/gamified, gamified/control, gamified/gamified). Over three gamified training sessions and/or one gamified blind testing session, panelists were repeatedlyexposed to nine game elements identified from the Hexad User Type model (physical reward, tutorial, exploration, purpose, challenges, progression, certificates, teams, and competition.). Following training, panelist performance (product discriminability, repeatability, panel consistency), engagement, and their response to implemented gaming elements were measured as dependent variables in the evaluation session. Results from the qualitative analysis indicated that panels with the longest gamification exposure had better panel performance. Such results supported the hypothesis of panel performance improvement through longer exposure to gamification design. However, gamification treatment did not show an impact on engagement, and thus, was not consistent with our hypothesis that higher engagement leads to performance changes. The small sample sizes and an insufficient gamification exposure length may underlie this lack of effect. In addition, results also suggested that panelists showed weak to moderate responses to being motivated by individual game elements. In sum, these findings indicate that a combination of game elements is necessary to maximize the effect of gamification. Overall, as the first study to inspect the impact of gamification on performance and engagement in descriptive analysis, these findings lay a foundation for future research of incorporating gamification into sensory testing.
Christopher T. Simons (Advisor)
Dennis Heldman (Committee Member)
Luis Rodriguez-Saona (Committee Member)
65 p.
Food Science
Sensory testing methods; Gamification; User Types Hexad; Panel performance; Motivation; Engagement; Descriptive analysis; Context

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Citations

  • Kuei, C. Y. A. (2023). Investigating Gamification Impact on Performance and Engagement in the Descriptive Analysis Panel of Puffed-Rice Cake [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1672403477720304

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kuei, Chia Yu. Investigating Gamification Impact on Performance and Engagement in the Descriptive Analysis Panel of Puffed-Rice Cake. 2023. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1672403477720304.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kuei, Chia Yu. "Investigating Gamification Impact on Performance and Engagement in the Descriptive Analysis Panel of Puffed-Rice Cake." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1672403477720304

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1672403477720304
148
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.
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