Early analysis related the epistemology of Wikipedia to social epistemology. Other realms of epistemological research, such as the epistemology of testimony and epistemic value theory, have been studied with reference to Wikipedia.
More recent analysis suggests that the epistemology of Wikipedia derives from the combined epistemic values of wikis and of encyclopedias. Jankowski See also Pierre Lévy blog post and comments, 27 May 2013. cites Ruth and Houghton who define the epistemic values of wikis as: self-identification collaboration co-construction cooperation trust in the community constructionism
Jankowski suggests that determination of the epistemic values of encyclopedias is more problematic, requiring genre analysis. This analysis revealed that encyclopedias value: utility systematic organization authority trust in experts consistency
Fallis previously identified the specific epistemic virtues of Wikipedia as power speed fecundity
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