Fairness of platform: The ranking data analysis of health and fitness apps

Tzu Chun Huang, Chia Wen Lee, Wei Shiang Lai, Ching Li*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Most consumers prefer to download top ranking apps because they consider a high rank as a guarantee of quality. However, the platform couldn't openly reveal the ranking algorithm for its commercial considerations. Even though some app developers still found strategic hypotheses to improve the ranking, but no one could really understand how the ranking algorithm worked. Under this condition, consumers and app developers didn't know the ranking algorithm was fair or not. Therefore, the purposes of this study were as follows: (A) To investigate the popular themes of health & fitness app; (B) To understand the influence of consumer feedback and producer affiliation on ranking. The study applied co-word analysis to classify the themes of popular apps. Moreover, the study used T-test and Chi-square test to understand the difference between the high-ranking group and the low-ranking group. The results found that popular apps could be classified into four themes: monitoring, coaching, diary, and sleeping monitor. The themes had nonsignificant differences in the ranking, neither the producer affiliation. The app ranking was significantly different from the review number and install number. In conclusion, the result indicated that the ranking algorithm on Google Play didn't exclude apps getting high ranking places because of its producer affiliation. Therefore, the study suggested other researchers keep track of the fairness issues on the platform via longitudinal research.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication4th International Annual Meeting on STEM Education, IAMSTEM 2021
EditorsTeen-Hang Meen, Chun-Yen Chang
PublisherAmerican Institute of Physics Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9780735444379
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023 May 5
Event4th International Annual Meeting on STEM Education, IAMSTEM 2021 - Keelung, Taiwan
Duration: 2021 Aug 122021 Aug 14

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume2685
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

Conference4th International Annual Meeting on STEM Education, IAMSTEM 2021
Country/TerritoryTaiwan
CityKeelung
Period2021/08/122021/08/14

Keywords

  • Google Play
  • consumer feedback
  • producer affiliation
  • ranking algorithm

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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