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。服务器端社交网络和知识管理技术(也称为Web2.0技术)代表了一个社交空间，在这个空间中，研究人员和普通公众可以潜在地走到一起，协作生成各种主题的知识。这项研究项目涉及与ManyOne Networks的合作，ManyOne Networks是一套名为数字宇宙的Web 2.0技术的制造商，以监督一个新的社区驱动的人权主题门户网站的内容开发。该项目通过参与者观察、访谈和对量化数据的分析来调查：1)这项Web 2.0技术对协调和生成人权门户网站中的专家和“非专家”知识的影响；2)随着研究和世俗知识社区的形成，形成的网络关系，这些社区创造和传播关于人权问题和激进主义的信息。此外，该项目力求为设计新的技术方法提供信息，以增加来自不同知识界的投入。该项目将有助于研究与Web2.0社会网络技术和数字信息通信技术(ICT)交织在一起的社会问题。该项目承诺更好地理解新兴数字网络系统如何影响研究专家和普通公众之间的知识形成和交流。此外，该项目将重点放在人权问题讨论网络上，这意味着其结果可以说明在社会运动活动中使用信息和传播技术的学术意义。项目成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，在人权专题的交流中更好地理解Web 2.0技术，以及如何促进民间社会将专家、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.