The Hidden Order of Wikipedia
The Hidden Order of Wikipedia - scientific work related to Wikipedia quality published in 2007, written by Fernanda B. Viégas, Martin Wattenberg and Matthew Mehall McKeon.
Overview
Authors examine the procedural side of Wikipedia, the well-known internet encyclopedia. Despite the lack of structure in the underlying wiki technology, users abide by hundreds of rules and follow well-defined processes. Authors case study is the Featured Article (FA) process, one of the best established procedures on the site. Authors analyze the FA process through the theoretical framework of commons governance, and demonstrate how this process blends elements of traditional workflow with peer production. Authors conclude that rather than encouraging anarchy, many aspects of wiki technology lend themselves to the collective creation of formalized process and policy.