I believe that group collaboration leads only haltingly towards logical structure. That is why the history of the Blagojevich articles mentioned in my previous blog piece can be difficult to follow. Articles tend to become more organized only after many people deliver data and a few people take a stab at sorting things out.
I'd say that Wiki articles are launched by a combination of data providers and data sorters. The providers collect the data and toss the results loosely on the pile, while the sorters pick through the take, order the information, and try to make it flow logically so it is retrievable. (In intelligence, these roles would be labeled collectors and analysts.) The final touches are added by editors, those who pick at the smallest details for accuracy or form or challenge the whole text as irrelevant or biased. They may be text editors fixing sentence structure, source checkers looking to see if the data providers have done their homework, and format stylists who categorize, hyperlink, add or touch up images and maps, and those who otherwise dress up Wiki articles.
Articles that are heavily trafficked by data providers, data sorters, and editors can become very detailed and accurate. They can also be influenced by media coverage, as most of the third party sourcing used in Wiki articles comes from online news sources. Statements may occasionally be marked citation needed, which indicates that the data are unsourced.
While you may not wish to get into the details, you should at least read the Blagojevich article and test its objectivity.
I'd say that Wiki articles are launched by a combination of data providers and data sorters. The providers collect the data and toss the results loosely on the pile, while the sorters pick through the take, order the information, and try to make it flow logically so it is retrievable. (In intelligence, these roles would be labeled collectors and analysts.) The final touches are added by editors, those who pick at the smallest details for accuracy or form or challenge the whole text as irrelevant or biased. They may be text editors fixing sentence structure, source checkers looking to see if the data providers have done their homework, and format stylists who categorize, hyperlink, add or touch up images and maps, and those who otherwise dress up Wiki articles.
Articles that are heavily trafficked by data providers, data sorters, and editors can become very detailed and accurate. They can also be influenced by media coverage, as most of the third party sourcing used in Wiki articles comes from online news sources. Statements may occasionally be marked citation needed, which indicates that the data are unsourced.
While you may not wish to get into the details, you should at least read the Blagojevich article and test its objectivity.
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