Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:55:33 -0400 From: "Mark Bell" <typewritermark@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [Air-l] Wikipedia Bibliography To: air-l@listserv.aoir.org Message-ID: <732865eb0704261655h66a4f228p41dcdb000ee3bd5f@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Phoebe,

I just joined the Wiki research group and I will post it there. Thanks for the heads up.

Here is the abstract of my thesis:

The Transformation of the Encyclopedia: A Textual Analysis and Comparison of the *Encyclop?dia Britannica* and *Wikipedia* The purpose of this thesis is to explore the following research question: Are there grammatical textual differences between *Encyclop?dia Britannica*and *Wikipedia*? Specifically, this study will focus on the articles for "Communism" and "Dwight D. Eisenhower" that appear in the online version of Encyclop?dia* Britannica* and *Wikipedia*. Using a grammatical textual analysis, the study finds there is little difference grammatically between*Encyclop?dia Britannica * and *Wikipedia* though they are very different types of systems. There are several different types of textual or contextual methods that could expand on this initial approach to find differences between* Encyclop?dia Britannica* and *Wikipedia*.

what are you doing with Wiki's?

Mark, I do a lot of online research, and wikipedia is my first stop, then google, then more specialized databases if needed. For instance, for biographical and bibliographical research, I feel lucky if the person of interest is in wikipedia. The wikipedia article gives me an overview of the person's life and work, and often a rather complete bibliography. It also gives me external links where I should go for more information. Then I will go to the heavyweights such as the LOC and the WBIS in order to double check the wiki information; many times I don't find anything new. With most library databases now requiring subscription or pay by view, I still manage to get most of the information I need for free. Luis -- Luis T. Gutierrez, Ph.D. Editor, "Solidarity, Sustainability, and Non-Violence" Home page: http://pelicanweb.org/solisust.html Current issue: http://pelicanweb.org/solisustv03n04.html Email: luisgutierrez@peoplepc.com