User:Graciepitts/Report

Introduction

Applying the theories and principles discussed in the course is crucial for offering valuable recommendations to both the Wikipedia community and the Wikimedia Foundation. Understanding why people join online communities, keeping members committed, establishing guidelines and regulations, and addressing the opportunities and problems posed by trolls, spammers, fast growth, anonymity, and the emergence of new communities are some of the main areas of focus. These concepts offer a comprehensive perspective on the management and evolution of online communities, relevant not only to Wikipedia but also to diverse platforms such as Yelp, Twitch, Reddit, Twitter, and Zooniverse.

Joining Motivation and Commitment to Stay

Wikipedia's emphasis on the intrinsic value of knowledge sharing should remain essential in motivating new contributors. By demonstrating the significant impact that individuals may have on the global distribution of knowledge, the platform intends to draw in more users. Putting in place individualized recognition systems might help increase commitment. Contributors' contributions would be visibly and gratifyingly acknowledged by these systems, which would increase their commitment. The importance of intrinsic rewards in encouraging involvement in online communities is emphasized throughout the course material. This concept, in which people are motivated by a sincere desire to share knowledge, is best illustrated by Wikipedia. Incorporating additional extrinsic incentives may strengthen contributors' commitment by enhancing the current intrinsic incentives. This approach aligns with Robb Willer's 2009 findings on the positive cycle of status rewards and motivation, encouraging contributors to engage more deeply with the community. (Willer) Wikipedia could introduce tiered recognition levels or badges for different types of contributions (editing, referencing, creating content) to reflect the direct reciprocity and generalized reciprocity norms. This would acknowledge contributors' efforts and cater to a range of motivations, from altruistic sharing of knowledge to gaining recognition among peers. Implementing recognition systems like Reddit's karma points or Twitch's subscriber badges could further incentivize contributions by providing tangible acknowledgment of users' efforts This strategy taps into the affective and identity-based motivations by creating an emotional connection with the group and reinforcing the individual's identity as a Wikipedia contributor.

Norms, Regulation, and Handling Toxicity

To strengthen its community norms and regulations, Wikipedia should prioritize making the editing guidelines more accessible and comprehensible to newcomers. Creating seminars could help beginner editors navigate the editing process more successfully, reducing the entry barrier and promoting a more satisfying first experience. My experience as a new editor was daunting due to the complexity of the editing rules, I didn’t want to accidentally do anything that would negatively impact the articles or community I was contributing to. Simplified guidelines, interactive tutorials, and a mentorship program for newcomers could ease this transition. Connecting to the course material, it is important to have clear rules and guidelines in place to maintain community standards and reduce toxicity, and align with the course discussions on the importance of explicit norms to regulate behavior and the effects of an absence of clear norms. A strategy could be the implementation of a stronger community reporting system that leverages descriptive norms to empower users to report violations effectively. It could utilize injunctive norms by publicly recognizing and rewarding members who contribute positively to maintaining the community's standards.

Explosive Growth, Anonymity, and Identity Online

By introducing a tiered contribution system, Wikipedia can manage anonymity and identity intricately; Anonymous contributions allow for minor edits, pseudonymous contributions with optional verification for more substantial edits, and verified identity contributions for major edits and dispute resolutions. This aligns with Gary T. Marx's discussion on the complex interplay between anonymity, identity, and surveillance in digital spaces, fostering a community where monitoring becomes a communal activity that encourages self-regulation and adherence to norms.(Marx) Enhancements like social endorsement mechanisms and community review boards can draw from Marx's notion of social surveillance, promoting a self-policing environment. Additionally, ensuring privacy protection in the verification process addresses his concerns about surveillance and privacy. This approach allows Wikipedia to maintain its openness and inclusivity while enhancing trust and reliability in contributions, navigating the delicate balance between anonymity and accountability in a rapidly growing online community.

Engaging Newcomers and Creating New Communities

Wikipedia should focus on lowering entry barriers for newcomers by simplifying the editing process and providing more supportive feedback mechanisms. Establishing sub-communities for particular projects or interests inside Wikipedia may also aid in maintaining interest and giving new editors a sense of community. Creating sub-communities or special interest groups inside the larger Wikipedia ecosystem can be greatly beneficial. This approach utilizes Reed's Law, which suggests the utility of large networks, like Wikipedia, which can scale exponentially with the size of the network. (Egger) Wikipedia can create a space where identity and bond-based incentives thrive by supporting these smaller, interest-based groups, which will help its users feel more connected and like they belong. One such would be "Wikiprojects", which concentrates on subjects. These projects have distinct names, highlight the topic, scope, and identity of the community, and are in line with normative commitment norms. Lowering the barrier to entry and providing supportive feedback mirrors Twitch’s approach of empowering new streamers through user-friendly broadcasting tools and community support features. Establishing sub-communities or special interest groups within Wikipedia can draw from the success of Reddit’s subreddit system, where niche communities thrive under the umbrella of a larger network, demonstrating the application of Reed's Law.

Conclusion

Incorporating these recommendations necessitates a nuanced understanding of the Wikipedia community's current dynamics and the context of online community management. By focusing on enhancing motivation, simplifying participation, strengthening norms, and fostering a sense of belonging, Wikipedia can continue to thrive as an inclusive platform for knowledge sharing. It's crucial to highlight that my recommendations are not arbitrary suggestions but are instead rooted in a comprehensive understanding of both theoretical concepts and practical realities within online communities. Unlike random advice from one new user, my suggestions are informed by extensive research and an understanding of the intricate dynamics at play within the Wikipedia community.

Citations

Willer, Robb. “[PDF] Groups Reward Individual Sacrifice: The Status Solution to the Collective Action Problem | Semantic Scholar.” Groups Reward Individual Sacrifice: The Status Solution to the Collective Action Problem, 2009, www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Groups-Reward-Individual-Sacrifice:-The-Status-to-Willer/a129a0479ea8d287d4194556f662f78a3ba4b35d.

Marx, Garry T. “Varieties of Personal Information as Influences on Attitudes Toward Surveillance.” Gary T. Marx - Varieties of Personal Information as Influences on Attitudes toward Surveillance, 2003, web.mit.edu/gtmarx/www/vancouver.html.

Egger, Michael. “Understanding Reed’s Law: The Exponential Power of Networks.” Medium, Medium, 5 Feb. 2024, medium.com/@mesw1/understanding-reeds-law-the-exponential-power-of-networks-fac9c17eb5eb.

“Get All the Yelp Badges Guide: Rockville.” Yelp, www.yelp.com/topic/rockville-get-all-the-yelp-badges-guide. Accessed 5 May 2024.

“Policies and Guidelines.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Apr. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Policies_and_guidelines.

Twitch, www.twitch.tv/. Accessed 5 May 2024.

“Zooniverse.” Zooniverse.Org, www.zooniverse.org/. Accessed 5 May 2024.