Gamification in Volunteer Feedback: Do Digital Rewards Really Work?

This study examines the impact of achievement badges on volunteer engagement and response quality in onlinesurveys conducted by non-profit organizations. While gamification is often proposed to increase participation, itseffectiveness in intrinsically motivated populations remains unclear. Using a custom-built survey platform, 57 Swedishvolunteers were randomly assigned to either a gamified survey featuring badges or a non-gamified control version.Behavioral data, including time spent, word counts, badge interactions, and completion rates were recorded, alongside openendedreflections. Results showed no statistically significant difference between conditions. Participants in the gamifiedgroup completed surveys faster but provided shorter written responses and showed minimal interaction with the badgesystem. PCA analysis and qualitative feedback reinforced the finding that badges did not meaningfully alter behavior orimprove user experience. These outcomes suggest that in settings where intrinsic motivation is already high, such as nonprofitvolunteering, superficial gamification elements like badges may offer limited benefit. Instead, aligning survey designwith volunteers’ intrinsic values, such as purpose, autonomy, and impact, may be more effective. This research contributesto gamification literature by emphasizing the limitations of single-element strategies and calling for more nuanced, contextsensitiveapproaches in digital feedback systems.