Motivations of contributors to Wikipedia
- 1 June 2006
- journal article
- Published by Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) in ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society
- Vol. 36 (2)
- https://doi.org/10.1145/1215942.1215943
Abstract
This paper aims to explain why people are motivated to contribute to the Wikipedia project. A comprehensive analysis of the motivations of Wikipedians is conducted using the iterative methodology developed by Batya Friedman and Peter Kahn in Value Sensitive Design and Information Systems and co-developed by Nissenbaum and Friedman in Bias in Computer Systems. The Value Sensitive Design (VSD) approach consists of three stages: Empirical Investigation, Conceptual Investigation, and Technical Investigation. During the empirical phase, motivations of the contributors to Wikipedia are identified through analysis of data from two published surveys and a pilot survey conducted at New York University. The underlying values behind these motivations are then defined in the conceptual phase of the study. Finally, a technical investigation is conducted in order to determine how features of the Wiki technology support and facilitate these values.Keywords
This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:
- Bias in computer systemsACM Transactions on Information Systems, 1996
- The Evolution of Reciprocal AltruismThe Quarterly Review of Biology, 1971