[Foundation-l] [Wiki-research-l] Motivations to Contribute to Wikipedia

[James Salsman]

Yaroslav M. Blanter <putevod at mccme.ru> wrote:

> actually, I am pretty sure we did discuss the procedure which requires
> endorsement (we did not call it approval), either at the extraordinary
> meeting in December (related to the survey banner story) or in the RCom
> mailing list in the thread related to the same story....

The discussion in the RCom mailing list archives is fairly summarized by
http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/rcom-l/2011-December/000506.html
"I rather suspect that there isn't consensus on this committee to restrict
researchers in their requesting community members to complete research
questionnaires."

The subsequent etherpad minutes for the December 22, 2011 meeting,
discuss a "future subject recruitment policy" which the participants
state they do not understand how to craft.

> do not call other people liars unless you have very strong proofs....

Is there any way to interpret these two statements such that one of
them is not a lie?

"this is a policy that we're enforcing ... approval is required"
http://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Research_talk%3AFAQ&diff=3441309&oldid=3440848

"due to the lack of a formal policy, the RCom has never been in a
position to grant any kind of "definitive approval" to recruit
participants"
http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wiki-research-l/2012-March/001896.html

The first of those two statements was made in an effort to accuse me
of misconduct. I stand by my statements, and I am certain that I have
acted ethically.

It would be best if this issue were addressed as a mistake on the part
of those who have contradicted themselves.

Sincerely,
James Salsman