Question

A scale of "helpfulness" would be nice for each answer given.

Example: Student asks a question. User A gives JUST the (correct) answer, without any explanation or insight into the problem. User B gives the same (correct) answer, but explains the problem in context, perhaps with a short illustration and/or a fully explained solution which is accessible to the student.

Both of these users gave correct answers, but I would venture to say that User B has given the student a more "helpful" answer.

Answer 1

The problem here is surely the opposites of qualitative and quantitative rating. 'Medals' are purely quantitative, because the threshold is quite low, while you can get one (or even more depending on how many people read it) for every answer you give. On the other hand there are 'Fans' which are purely qualitative, because you can only Fan someone one time and the threshold is even higher because the point where you can do it is well-hidden :-)
I think doing something else in between is really hard to do, if you want to make it thoroughly and it will most certainly irritate the users. I thought maybe Medals could be made more precious. But I guess it all depends on how the users apply them in the end...

Answer 2

the real satisfaction for me comes from feeling useful and helpful. II spose its the old BoyScout in me. In the end, there is no real value to a virtual fan, or medal count. the value is in the knowledge gained, and the wisdom shared ..... and the memories forgotten :)

Answer 3

I guess we would need to construct a Likert Scale for this?