From: Benjamin Mako Hill Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 00:07:54 +0000 (-0400) Subject: add authorship information X-Git-Url: https://projects.mako.cc/source/bmh-research_statement/commitdiff_plain/b8f1e931c6878c4a8d508d885065032221668fa6?ds=inline add authorship information --- diff --git a/research_statement.tex b/research_statement.tex index ede334a..aaf1e4c 100644 --- a/research_statement.tex +++ b/research_statement.tex @@ -123,16 +123,17 @@ designed to promote collaboration through content remixing, only about ten percent of Scratch projects attract a second contributor. -In one study, forthcoming in American Behavioral Scientist, I test -several of the most widely cited theories associated with -``generativity'' (i.e., qualities of technology or content that make -some works more fertile ground for collaboration). I find some support -for existing theory but also find that, across the board, factors -associated with more collaboration are also associated with less -original and transformative types of joint-work -\cite{hill_remixing_2012}. In another study of Scratch, I show that -this type of superficial collaboration leads to negative reactions and -community displeasure \cite{hill_responses_2010}. +In one study, co-authored with Andrés Monroy-Hernández and forthcoming +in American Behavioral Scientist, I test several of the most widely +cited theories associated with ``generativity'' (i.e., qualities of +technology or content that make some works more fertile ground for +collaboration). I find some support for existing theory but also find +that, across the board, factors associated with more collaboration are +also associated with less original and transformative types of +joint-work \cite{hill_remixing_2012}. In another study of Scratch +written with Monroy-Hernández and Kristina Olson, I show that this type +of superficial collaboration leads to negative reactions and community +displeasure \cite{hill_responses_2010}. \begin{wrapfigure}{l}{2.6in} \begin{centering} @@ -177,23 +178,24 @@ contributors. \end{wrapfigure} In a study of status-based awards in Wikipedia called ``barnstars'' -(see Figure \ref{fig:barnstar}) I provide an empirical test of an -influential status-based theory of collective action from -sociology. Although the study finds support for the widely -hypothesized ``virtuous cycle'' of status rewards both causing and -being caused by contributions, it also finds that this effect is -limited to a sub-population of Wikipedia contributors -- ``signalers'' -who show off their awards \cite{hill_status_2012}. This result -has broad implications for both status-based theories of collective -action as well the design of reputation-based rewards. - -In a mixed methods study of Scratch, nominated for best paper at the -CHI 2011 conference \cite{monroy-hernandez_computers_2011}, I -present both a quantitative analysis of a design change and in-depth -interviews of users to demonstrate how credit-giving is ineffective -when it stems from an automated system because systems fail to -reinforce status-ordering with credible human expressions of social -deference and gratitude. +(see Figure \ref{fig:barnstar}) -- a collaboration with Aaron Shaw and +Yochai Benkler -- I provide an empirical test of an influential +status-based theory of collective action from sociology. Although the +study finds support for the widely hypothesized ``virtuous cycle'' of +status rewards both causing and being caused by contributions, it also +finds that this effect is limited to a sub-population of Wikipedia +contributors -- ``signalers'' who show off their awards +\cite{hill_status_2012}. This result has broad implications for both +status-based theories of collective action as well the design of +reputation-based rewards. + +In a mixed methods study of Scratch, written with a team at Microsoft +Research and nominated for best paper at the CHI 2011 conference +\cite{monroy-hernandez_computers_2011}, I present both a quantitative +analysis of a design change and in-depth interviews of users to +demonstrate how credit-giving is ineffective when it stems from an +automated system because systems fail to reinforce status-ordering +with credible human expressions of social deference and gratitude. %\newpage \section{Design-Driven Natural Experiments} @@ -228,14 +230,15 @@ literature on collective action, I present evidence that this decrease is driven by both an the influx of new contributors and a decrease in the effort and contributions of established participants. -In other work, I have analyzed sales records of hobbyist -microcontrollers to argue that relatively simple design changes in the -\emph{LilyPad Arduino} -- a electronics toolkit minimally re-designed -for women and girls (see Figure \ref{fig:lilypad}) -- lead to large -increases in the proportion of women contributors and drastic shifts -in the type of projects created \cite{buechley_lilypad_2010}. I have -also explored how technical errors may be able to provide similar -opportunities for analysis \cite{hill_revealing_2010}. +In other work with Leah Buechley, I have analyzed sales records of +hobbyist microcontrollers to argue that relatively simple design +changes in the \emph{LilyPad Arduino} -- a electronics toolkit +minimally re-designed for women and girls (see Figure +\ref{fig:lilypad}) -- lead to large increases in the proportion of +women contributors and drastic shifts in the type of projects created +\cite{buechley_lilypad_2010}. I have also explored how technical +errors may be able to provide similar opportunities for analysis +\cite{hill_revealing_2010}. % or changes in socio-technical systems describing responsibility for a piece of software can lead to an important impact in the type and structure of contributions in peer production \cite{michlmayr_quality_2003} @@ -256,10 +259,11 @@ issues of performance, efficiency, and quality. Using my existing datasets, I plan to compare the performance of collaborative production to individually produced works to understand when successful collection action leads to increased performance. For -example, in a manuscript currently under review using data from -Scratch, I show important limitations of collaboration through -remixing in regards to project quality, particularly for more artistic -or media-intensive works \cite{hill_cost_2012}. +example, in an analysis using data from Scratch which currently under +review -- done in collaboration with Monroy-Hernández -- I show +important limitations of collaboration through remixing in regards to +project quality, particularly for more artistic or media-intensive +works \cite{hill_cost_2012}. \emph{Integrated Theory of Design for Collective Action} -- My studies of status and reputation provide a detailed understanding of the dynamics of