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Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of Networked Knowledge

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Mass Collaboration and Education

Part of the book series: Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Series ((CULS,volume 16))

Abstract

The present chapter advances a theoretical and analytical approach to networked knowledge that is continuously developed in large online communities of mass collaboration. Networked knowledge is regarded as substance with static structure that changes over longer periods of time through the activity of community participants. From a complex systems perspective, networked knowledge is an emergent phenomenon that amounts to more than the additive collection of individual artifacts and contributions due to their interconnectedness.

The empirical part of the chapter introduces an analytical approach examining large real-life data sets from the online communities Wikipedia and Wikiversity. The topological position of contributions and articles in different knowledge domains in the networks is evaluated through established network analysis metrics in order to identify pivotal artifacts that form the structural backbone of the networked knowledge.

One of the studies focuses on the relation between pivotal knowledge and the contribution experience of the community participants. The second study models the significance of pivotal knowledge structures for the network evolution and the new developing networked knowledge. In an explorative account of networked knowledge dynamics, the third study demonstrates a fine-grained approach to pivotal knowledge by acknowledging the historical trajectory of development.

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  1. Knowledge Construction Lab, Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien, Tubingen, Germany

    Iassen Halatchliyski

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  1. Iassen Halatchliyski
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Correspondence to Iassen Halatchliyski .

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  1. Knowledge Media Research Center, Tubingen, Germany

    Ulrike Cress

  2. University of Tuebingen, Tubingen, Germany

    Johannes Moskaliuk

  3. Hallym University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, Korea (Republic of)

    Heisawn Jeong

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Halatchliyski, I. (2016). Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of Networked Knowledge. In: Cress, U., Moskaliuk, J., Jeong, H. (eds) Mass Collaboration and Education. Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Series, vol 16. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13536-6_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13536-6_16

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