Table of Contents

• 1 Definition
• 2 How do wikis work?
  • 2.1 Creating and editing articles
  • 2.2 On quality and vandalism
  • 2.3 Division of labour
    • 2.3.1 One off editors
    • 2.3.2 Dedicated contributors
• 3 Why would anyone contribute?
• 4 Policy On Wiki Sites
• 5 References
• 6 External Sources

Definition

A wiki is ‘a’ type of website that is developed collaboratively by a group of users, and can be easily added to or edited by anyone (known as ‘open editing’). ‘Wiki’ is a Hawaiian word meaning ‘quick’ (when repeated it means ‘very quick’) and was first used in this sense in 1995 by the US computer programmer Ward Cunningham, who called his website the WikiWikiWeb.Oxford Dictionary Online. See http://www.askoxford.com/worldofwords/bubblingunder/archive/bubbling_03/?view=uk

How do wikis work?

A wiki is a hybrid of tool and communityShirky, C. 2008, Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations, Penguin Press HC

In order for a wiki to function, it must have a community of users who read, edit and create the information on the platform. A wiki is only ever as strong as the community who nurture it.

Creating and editing articles

See How to create an article and how to edit an article for instructions and help on developing Wikiprogress articles

Creating a new article is simple. Lets say for example someone decides a new article needs to be created on the Human Development Index. The author does not necessarily need to be an expert in the area; all they need to do is begin the process of an article. They can contribute by adding just one sentence: ‘The Human Development Index is a composite statistics used to rank countries by levels of human development.’

The articles is then viewed by readers who edit and develop the article bit by bit to add as much information as possible.

Editors can either contribute a significant amount of information, by adding the complete HDI ranks for 2010, or writing about the methodology of the HDI, or they can simply add a reference, correct a spelling mistake or add a picture. Bit by bit the community works together to develop the article.

A wiki article is a process, not a product, and as a result it is never finished.Shirky, C. 2008, Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations, Penguin Press HC

This is one of the key differences between wikis and other information gathering tools, as it is in a permanent stage of development. This function of the wiki allows for a wide variety of individuals to contribute to a single article, gathering information from many different users. As articles are never finished, each edit can be seen as a provisional change.

On quality and vandalism

Wikis operate with a publish then filter system, which has added fuel to the fire for the argument against the quality of wiki articles and in theory should leave the platform open to vandalism. This is not the case.

As explained earlier, wiki articles are a process and as such each little contribution, published in real time, allows for the development of the article to happen with no interruption or delay.

Vandalism is rare on any wiki platform, and there are a few reasons for this. Firstly, it is incredibly easy to erase vandalism or mistakes by simply ‘reverting’ the article to what it was before the edit. The same goes if an entire article is deleted- it can simply be reverted back to what it was before the vandal deleted it. The history of every article on the wiki is open for all to view, showing how the article has been developed, who edited what and if there have been any attacks of vandalism.

Additionally, a feed of activity on the Wikiprogress home page shows articles as they are edited, allowing a team of dedicated Wikiprogress quality assures to review the new article or edit and ensure it is valid. If in doubt, the quality assurance team can contact a relevant expert.

Division of labour

There are two key types of contributors to wikis; however this is quite vague, as there is little to no equality in the participation of those contributing. Studies have shown that these two groups represent the only prominent patterns of contribution.

One off editors

One off editors generally correct mistakes, add references, add templates, write short sentences etc.

Dedicated contributors

The dedicated contributors create the bulk of the content on wikis. They are often experts from a particular field or are assigned the task of developing content on a particular subject.

Why would anyone contribute?

Many studies have been conducting to understand what motivates an individual to contribute to collective participation tools such as wikis; the majority of which use Wikipedia as a case study. The results show contributors are motivated by the following 3 reasons:

• Doing something with the knowledge you have
• Getting recognised (a user name is associated with each edit/article creation)
• The desire to contribute to a project that serves the greater good – as the sum of all contributions will be something of global significance.

Policy On Wiki Sites

Without defined policy, Wiki sites would run into difficulty either through Spam posters or Vandals who which to disrupt content. For more information about policy on this site please see .

References

External Sources

Wiki in Plain English (Video). Explanatory video by Lee and Sachi LeFever.