All posts by Agnes Low

Supporting Awareness of Content-related Controversies in a Wiki-based Learning Environment

Announcement, Conference Contributions, Open Educational Resources Track, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Posters, Research Tracks

Title: Supporting Awareness of Content-related Controversies in a Wiki-based Learning Environment

Authors: Sven Heimbuch (University of Duisburg-Essen), Daniel Bodemer (University of Duisburg-Essen)

Abstract: User generated content in Wikis is mainly distributed on the article view and its corresponding talk page. Potentials of analysing and supporting discussants’ knowledge construction processes on the level of talk pages have still been rarely researched. The presented experimental study addresses this issue by providing external representations of content-related controversies which were led by contradictory evidence between discussants to foster awareness on socio-cognitive conflicts which can be beneficial for learning. Its aim is to investigate how increased salience of controversies can guide participants’ (N = 81) navigation and learning processes. Three conditions differing in their degree of awareness support were implemented in this study. Results indicate that the implementation of awareness representations helped students to focus on meaningful discussion threads. Findings suggest that Wiki talk page users can benefit from additional structuring aids.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

The Social Shaping of Open Data through Administrative Processes

Announcement, Conference Contributions, Open Data Track, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks, Short Research Papers

Title: The Social Shaping of Open Data through Administrative Processes

Authors: Sirko Hunnius (IfG.CC), Bernhard Krieger (IfG.CC)

Abstract: Many models have been provided in the last years that aim at describing an optimal open data publication process. However, they fail to explain the different outcomes of open data initiatives. Based on qualitative research this paper conceptualises the open data phenomenon as a set of techno-political arenas in which different interests of a variety of actors potentially and actually collide. The micro-political arena model constitutes an instrument to delineate the social and institutional context of open data that can be employed to explain the successes, as well as the failures of individual open data projects.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

Wikirate: A Claims-based System for Collaboratively Reviewing Corporate Behavior

Announcement, Community Contributions, Conference Contributions, Demos, OpenSym 2014

Title: Wikirate: A Claims-based System for Collaboratively Reviewing Corporate Behavior

Authors: Vishal Kapadia (Wikirate e.V.), Ethan Mccutchen (Grass Commons), Lucia Lu (Wikirate e.V.), Philipp Kühl (Grass Commons)

Abstract: Wikirate.org is a community effort to review and rate companies’ ethical behavior. Wikirate.org is built using Wagn, whose atomic data approach allows Wikirate contributors to integrate rich qualitative and quantitative data in innovative, accessible ways. In the qualitative realm, data can be browsed by Company or by Topic, and the site’s core Articles cover the intersection of the two (eg. BP+Climate Change). Because source data in the corporate transparency realm in notoriously biased, Wikirate enhances traditional wiki mechanisms for ensuring data quality patterns by […]

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

Consider the Redirect: A Missing Dimension of Wikipedia Research

Announcement, Conference Contributions, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks, Short Research Papers, Wikipedia Track

Title: Consider the Redirect: A Missing Dimension of Wikipedia Research

Authors: Benjamin Mako Hill, Aaron Shaw

Abstract: Redirects are special pages in wikis that silently transport visitors to other pages. Although redirects make up a majority of all article pages in English Wikipedia, they have attracted very little attention and are rarely taken into account by researchers. This note describes redirects and illustrates why they play an important role in shaping activity in Wikipedia. We also present a novel longitudinal dataset of redirects for English Wikipedia and the software used to produce it. Using this dataset, we revisit several important published findings about Wikipedia to show that accounting for redirects can have important effects on research.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

Creme de la Creme: Elite Contributors in an Online Community

Announcement, Conference Contributions, Full Research Papers, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks, Wikis and Open Collaboration Track

Title: Creme de la Creme: Elite Contributors in an Online Community

Authors: Katherine Panciera, Mikhil Masli, Loren Terveen

Abstract: In open content communities like Wikipedia and StackOverflow and in open source software projects, a small proportion of users produce a majority of the content and take on much of the required community maintenance work. Understanding this class of users is crucial to creating and sustaining healthy communities. We carried out a mixed-method study of core contributors to the Cyclopath geographic wiki and bicycle routing web site. We present our findings and organize our discussion using concepts from activity theory. We found that the Cyclopath core contributors aren’t the dedicated cyclists and that the characteristics of the community shape the site, the rules, and the tools for contributing. Additionally, we found that numerous aspects about the surrounding ecology of related systems and communities may help to shape how the site functions and views itself. We draw implications for future research and design from these findings.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

Open Data for Air Transport Research: Dream or Reality?

Announcement, Conference Contributions, Open Data Track, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks, Short Research Papers

Title: Open Data for Air Transport Research: Dream or Reality?

Authors: Marc Bourgois (EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre), Michael Sfyroeras (EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre)

Abstract: The role of open data in air transport research is analyzed by means of a sample of over 300 research articles. The most used (or available) data types, their sources and their access policies are identified, both for the US and the EU. The analyses show that 70% of research in air transport is heavily reliant on data, that 70% of the data sources are curated by governmental bodies and that the US publicizes a wider set of sources, leading to wider usage. Areas for improving accessibility of (mainly European) data sources are outlined and alternative avenues to obtain data are sketched. The fact that Europe is lagging considerably in making its sources readily available to the research community means Europe missing out on entrepreneurship, innovation and scientific discovery, the presumed benefits of open data.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

The Contribution of Different Online Communities in Open Innovation Projects

Announcement, Conference Contributions, Full Research Papers, Open Innovation Track, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks

Title: The Contribution of Different Online Communities in Open Innovation Projects

Authors: Michael A. Zeng

Abstract: Online communities used as resource enlargement in open innovation processes are a promising concept. Yet, to date few comparative studies on characteristics of different online communities have been done. This paper identifies the cultures of innovation communities and brand communities in the environment of the Web 2.0 and shows how to use and further exploit their potential in different steps of open innovation projects. To analyze these online communities, an exploratory case study design with ten small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was chosen. All ten enterprises worked with the same innovation intermediary, which implemented an innovation community platform into a social network and possess a brand community in the respective social network. The key findings suggest that the potential of both communities should be brought together and used as a harmonized strategy for open innovation and social media. Based on these findings, a conceptual framework was developed which illustrates how to integrate such online communities into each stage of a new product development process as well as to interconnect them.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

Chinese-language Literature About Wikipedia: A Meta-Analysis of Academic Search Engine Result Pages

Announcement, Conference Contributions, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks, Short Research Papers, Wikipedia Track

Title: Chinese-language Literature About Wikipedia: A Meta-Analysis of Academic Search Engine Result Pages

Authors: Han-Teng Liao, Bin Zhang

Abstract: This paper presents a webometric analysis of the academic search engine result pages (SERPs) of the Chinese-language term of “Wikipedia” across major Chinese-speaking regions of mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Because of the academic outcome, the findings can also be interpreted for further meta-analysis, or “research about research”, of the Wikipedia research in Chinese-language literatures. The findings cover the results from four major search platforms: CNKI Scholar, Google Scholar China, Google Scholar Hong Kong and Google Scholar Taiwan. Cross tabulation of the results shows the major institutions (journals and academic departments) and scholarly archives for Chinese-language Wikipedia research. The findings suggest that there exists a divide between mainland Chinese academic sources/search results on one hand, and Hong Kong/Taiwanese ones on the other. Meta-analysis based on academic SERPs have implications for identifying the gaps and potentials in internationalization of Wikipedia research.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

Open Societal Innovation

Announcement, Conference Contributions, Open Innovation Track, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Tracks, Short Research Papers

Title: Open Societal Innovation

Authors: Jörn Von Lucke

Abstract: In this paper, the concept of open societal innovation is briefly described. Regarding government, administration and society, the first early pioneers have made their experiences in combing open innovation approaches with information technology. A compact analysis summarizes already experienced strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of this approach in the public sector.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.

Geographic and Linguistic Normalization: Towards a Better Understanding of the Geo-linguistic Dynamics of Knowledge

Announcement, Conference Contributions, OpenSym 2014, Research Contributions, Research Posters, Research Tracks, Wikipedia Track

Title: Geographic and Linguistic Normalization: Towards a Better Understanding of the Geo-linguistic Dynamics of Knowledge

Authors: Han-Teng Liao, Thomas Petzold

Abstract: This paper proposes a method of geo-linguistic normalization to advance the existing comparative analysis of open collaborative communities, with multilingual Wikipedia projects as the example. Such normalization requires data regarding the potential users and/or resources of a geolinguistic unit.

This contribution to OpenSym 2014 will be made available as part of the OpenSym 2014 proceedings on or after August 27, 2014.