Wiki Communities from a Social Science Perspective

From Wikimania


Wiki Communities from a Social Science Perspective

Presenter Craig Spurrier
Themes Communities
About the presenter
Craig Spurrier is a cultural anthropologist working on a MA at the University of South Carolina. He has also been a Wikimedian for several years, a bureaucrat on Wikinews, an admin on Wikibooks and a Steward.
Abstract

Online communities, such as Wikipedia and Wikinews, emulate physical communities in a number of ways. The methods by which the Wikimedia communities control their participants vary greatly, but in general replicates the methods used in physical communities, with some very important differences. This presentation will analysis the ways in which social norms are formed and enforced within the Wikimedia projects. It will also provide some (hopefully) helpful and practical suggestions of what methods appear to be successful in building a cohesive community and how to deal with users who engage in deviant wiki behaviour. 

Language English
Video (download)