From 3a65748c964a4dfc9b087b7f50705cc0dc6ac0a5 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Benjamin Mako Hill Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2012 20:12:57 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] final read through and a last set of small changes --- refs.bib | 1 - research_statement.tex | 10 +++++----- 2 files changed, 5 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-) diff --git a/refs.bib b/refs.bib index b863496..68760ef 100644 --- a/refs.bib +++ b/refs.bib @@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ @article{hill_remixing_2012, title = {The remixing dilemma: the tradeoff between generativity and originality}, - volume = {Forthcoming}, journal = {American Behavioral Scientist}, author = {Hill, Benjamin Mako and Monroy-Hern\'{a}ndez, Andr\'{e}s}, year = {2012}, diff --git a/research_statement.tex b/research_statement.tex index 40f7b92..5890358 100644 --- a/research_statement.tex +++ b/research_statement.tex @@ -185,8 +185,8 @@ In a study of status-based awards in Wikipedia called ``barnstars'' (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 +study finds support for a widely hypothesized ``virtuous cycle'' in which +status rewards both cause and are 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 @@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ automated system because systems fail to reinforce status-ordering with credible human expressions of social deference and gratitude. These studies suggest important limits to previous theoretical work on status as a motivator for collective action, and -describe a more nuanced theoretical model. +put forward a more nuanced theoretical model. %\newpage \section{Design-Driven Natural Experiments} @@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ 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 an analysis using data from Scratch which currently under +example, in an analysis using data from Scratch which is 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 @@ -288,7 +288,7 @@ possible through personal relationships I have with a series of organizations with large, active, online communities (e.g., the MIT Media Lab and the Wikimedia Foundation). These organizations, like many others, make design changes to the software that supports their -communities to encourage contributions and improve users' +communities to encourage contributions and improve their users' experiences. Most of the time, these organizations have very little idea if these changes are effective. I plan to seek funding for, and to create, a technical framework and a network of academic and -- 2.30.2