Social software and the evolution of user expertise: future trends in knowledge creation and dissemination / Tatjana Takseva, editor. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: "This book examines the vital role that social software applications play in regards to the cultural definitions by experts and challenges the reader to consider how recent changes in this area influence how we create and distribute knowledge"--Provided by publisher. ISBN 978-1-4666-2178-7 (hardcover)

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... --ISBN 978-1-4666-2179-4 (ebook) --ISBN 978-1-4666-2180-0 (print & perpetual access) 1. Social sciences--Research--Methodology. 2. Online social networks. 3. Web 2.0 I. Takseva, Tatjana, 1970-ABSTRACT The Free Online Encyclopedia, as Wikipedia calls itself, is a radical departure from traditional encyclopedias and traditional methods of knowledge creation. This chapter is an examination of how a community of amateurs on Wikipedia has challenged notions of expertise in the 21st century. It does so by first looking at the roots of Wikipedia in a phenomenon known as the "wisdom of the crowds" and in the open source software movement. The reliability of Wikipedia is examined as are the claims made by major critics of the project. Throughout, epistemological questions raised by Wikipedia are addressed.