Engagement and retention: measuring breadth and depth of participant use of an online intervention.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Internet provides us with tools (user metrics or paradata) to evaluate how users interact with online interventions. Analysis of these paradata can lead to design improvements.

Objective

The objective was to explore the qualities of online participant engagement in an online intervention. We analyzed the paradata in a randomized controlled trial of alternative versions of an online intervention designed to promote consumption of fruit and vegetables.

Methods

Volunteers were randomized to 1 of 3 study arms involving several online sessions. We created 2 indirect measures of breadth and depth to measure different dimensions and dynamics of program engagement based on factor analysis of paradata measures of Web pages visited and time spent online with the

SUBMITTER: Couper MP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3056524 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature