How to collect video data on Amazon Mechanical Turk using a custom mobile app

This approach for collecting video data through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) using a custom iOS app is technically feasible, but would require implementing an external question workflow rather than using MTurk's standard question formats.

With MTurk's ExternalQuestion feature, you can host your task interface on your own website instead of using MTurk's built-in question forms. Here's how you could adapt your workflow:

1. Create a HIT using the ExternalQuestion data structure, which would point to your external website.
2. On your website, collect the worker's email address and provide instructions for downloading your TestFlight app.
3. Generate and provide the unique code to the worker through your website.
4. The worker would download the app, record the video as instructed, and submit it through the app to your server.
5. After completing the task in the app, the worker would return to your website to submit the HIT.
6. Your website would need to post the result data back to MTurk using the externalSubmit URL.

Important considerations:

• Your external website must post the result data back to MTurk using the proper submission URL.
• The form must include the assignmentId that MTurk appends to your URL.
• You'll need to ensure your web server has high availability.
• Test thoroughly in the MTurk Requester Sandbox before launching.
• Make sure your process adheres to MTurk's Participation Agreement and content standards.

This approach gives you flexibility in data collection while still leveraging MTurk's worker pool and payment infrastructure.
Sources
ExternalQuestion - Amazon Mechanical Turk
ExternalQuestion - Amazon Mechanical Turk
Access Amazon Mechanical Turk - Amazon Mechanical Turk