Figure 3. Evolution of the number of active editors over months per language edition for our sample of eight selected language editions.
4.2. Vital Signs
We present the results obtained for the vital signs introduced in the previous section for the eight selected language editions. First, we show and comment on the results for this set of languages for each indicator, then we propose a possible target value based on our observation of results from these and other language editions, and conversations held with several members from local communities.
4.2.1. Retention
Figure 4 is a dual-axis graph showing the number of registered editors by month (left axis, grey bars) and the retention rate (right axis, orange line). We see that the number of registered editors is stable or even increasing in some cases (e.g., Afrikaans, Swahili), while the retention rate is decreasing over time in all the cases shown. With respect to RQ1 [Retention], then, we see a generally decreasing trend in the ability of the communities to retain new editors, with more or less marked fluctuations, and with values in the last observed period that range from 0.64% of Afrikaans and 1.55% of Swahili, to 3.53% of Polish and 3.52% of Italian.
The retention rate has been declining for the eight communities considered over the last 10 years. This is a worrying trend since lower retention rates may lead to a stagnant or declining community.
[T1] Retention rate: we argue that a reasonable target could be set to a 3% retention rate to ensure there is renewal among editors, while it could be desirable to reach 5–7%. In general, communities should aim at reversing the declining trend in the retention rate.
