The Digital Universe and Web 2.0: Proposal for Studying the Construction of Synergistic Expert/Non Expert Knowledge Networks for Human Rights

这项研究由科学与社会计划赞助，旨在研究数字讨论网络中专业知识（和非专业知识）的发展。服务器端社会网络和知识管理技术（也称为Web 2.0技术）代表了一个社会空间，在这个空间中，研究人员和一般公众可以潜在地聚集在一起，以协作方式生成关于各种主题的知识。该研究项目包括与ManyOne Networks合作，该公司是一套名为“数字宇宙”的Web 2.0技术的制造商，负责监督一个以人权为主题的新社区驱动的门户网站的内容开发。本项目采用参与性观察、访谈和定量数据分析来调查：1)这项Web 2.0技术在人权门户网站协调和产生专家和“非专家”知识方面的影响；2)作为研究和非专业知识社区形成的网络关系，创造和传播有关人权问题和行动主义的信息。此外，该项目旨在为设计新的技术方法提供信息，以增加来自不同知识社区的投入。此计画旨在促进与Web 2.0社交网路技术和数位资讯通讯技术（ICTs）相关的社会议题的学术研究。该项目承诺对新兴数字网络系统影响知识形成和研究专家与公众之间交流的方式有更深入的了解。此外，此计划以人权议题讨论网络为重点，意味著其成果可为资讯及通讯科技在社会运动活动中应用的学术研究提供参考。该项目的结果将以文章和一本书的形式传播。这项工作的一个潜在的更广泛的影响是更好地理解Web 2.0技术在人权问题上的交流，以及如何促进公民社会将专家、活动家和其他公民聚集在一起。

This research, sponsored by the Science & Society Program, seeks to examine the development of expertise (and non-expertise) in a digital discussion network. Server-side social network and knowledge management technologies (also known as Web 2.0 technologies) represent a social space in which researchers and general publics can potentially come together to collaboratively generate knowledge on a variety of topics. This research project involves a collaboration with ManyOne Networks, makers of a suite of Web 2.0 technologies called Digital Universe, to oversee content development for a new community-driven web portal on the topic of Human Rights.This project employs participant observation, interviews, and analysis of quantitative data to investigate: 1) the implications of this Web 2.0 technology for coordinating and generating expert and "non-expert" knowledge in the Human Rights portal, and 2) the network relationships that form as research and lay knowledge communities that create and distribute information on human rights issues and activism take shape. In addition, this project seeks to inform the design of novel technological approaches for increasing the input from diverse knowledge communities. This project stands to contribute to scholarship on the societal issues intertwined with Web 2.0 social network technologies and digital information communication technologies (ICTs). The project promises greater understanding of the ways emerging digital network systems influence knowledge formation and communication between research experts and general publics. Additionally, the focus of this project on a discussion network on Human Rights issues means the results can speak to scholarship on the use of ICTs in social movement activism. The project results will be disseminated in articles and a book. A potential broader impact of this work is better understanding of Web 2.0 technologies in communication on human rights topics and of how to facilitate civil society in bringing together, experts, activists, and other citizens.