Exploration of Online Culture Through Network Analysis of Wikipedia

Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2015 Nov;18(11):674-81. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2014.0638. Epub 2015 Oct 15.

Abstract

Understanding online culture is becoming crucial in the global and connected world. Contrary to conventional attitudinal surveys used in cultural research, this study uses the approach of directly observing culture-specific behavior that emerges from online collaboration on the Internet. The editing data of Wikipedia were analyzed in 12 languages. Distinctive cultural dimensions were identified, including collectivism, extraversion, boldness, and egalitarianism. Using network analysis, the language-framed cultural factors were extracted as an emergent phenomenon in the virtual world.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cooperative Behavior*
  • Culture*
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Language*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires