Hello,
My research team and I are ready to begin data collection on a new study called the Wikipedia Progression of Participation (WPP) project. Our goal is to use a combination of pre-post surveys and activity analysis to understand how Wikipedians move from their first editing experiences to different forms of participation over time. Details about the project are available on our project page:
http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Research/Projects/Wikipedia_Progression_of_Pa...
I am sending this message because our methodology requires us to contact Wikipedians to request their participation. Complying with Wikipedia’s policies and best practices, being respectful, and remaining non-disruptive to the community is very important to us. To that end, we have discussed our project with other Wikipedia researchers, conducted informal discussions with several folks at the Wikimedia foundation, consulted with members of the Wikipedia Research Committee, and received IRB/human subjects certification at UC Berkeley.
Now we would love your feedback so we may address any concerns as we prepare to begin the study. We plan to begin the study later this month (April). Please feel free to email me directly or post comments on our project page (http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Research/Projects/Wikipedia_Progression_of_Pa...)
We look forward to your thoughts and feedback!
Thank you-- Coye