Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Research Fund/Representations and uses of Wikipedia by journalists in Côte d′Ivoire

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statusnot funded
Representations and uses of Wikipedia by journalists in Côte d′Ivoire
start and end datesJuly 2022 to June 2023
budget (USD)40,000-50,000 USD
applicant(s)• Emmanuel Dabo

Overview[edit]

Username

Applicant's Wikimedia username. If one is not provided, then the applicant's name will be provided for community review.

Emmanuel Dabo

Project title

Representations and uses of Wikipedia by journalists in Côte d′Ivoire

Entity Receiving Funds

Provide the name of the individual or organization that would receive the funds.

Wikimedia Community User Group - Côte d'Ivoire

Research proposal[edit]

Description[edit]

Description of the proposed project, including aims and approach. Be sure to clearly state the problem, why it is important, why previous approaches (if any) have been insufficient, and your methods to address it.

Wikipedia is an encyclopedia unlike any other, distinguished by its collaborative, free and open nature. The information on it is not put online by a college of experts. It is possible for ""anyone to write or edit articles online."" (Malbois and Cabin, 2005). Although Wikipedia is among the ten most visited sites in the world (Alexa, 2021), its operation is controversial (Tessier, 2007). Glassey (2006) summarizes the main criticisms of Wikipedia in four points:
  • 1. The principle of openness of the encyclopedic project and its editorial model;
  • 2. The lack of an editorial control mechanism;
  • 3. The permeability of Wikipedia to misinformation;
  • 4. The sense of anxiety about Wikipedia.

Among the critics of the encyclopedia are journalists (Fogia, 2008). Indeed, throughout the world and specifically in Côte d'Ivoire, journalism is undergoing upheaval due to digital technology. There is an emergence of new actors, sometimes without expertise and legitimacy, in the field of information content production. In contrast, the online press in Côte d'Ivoire is dynamic and is one of the preferred channels for disseminating information (CAIDP, 2017). More than 130 news websites are listed in Côte d'Ivoire (REPPRELCI 2021). This does not prevent Wikipedia from being among the ten most visited websites in Côte d'Ivoire (Alexa, 2021). Only Abidjan.net is in the top 10. This situation may suggest an adversity between Wikipedia and the online press in Côte d'Ivoire. However, in the absence of studies on the issue, it is difficult to draw such conclusions.

This study aims to examine the relationship between Ivorian journalists and Wikipedia in terms of representations and uses. What do journalists in Côte d'Ivoire think of Wikipedia? How do their representations of Wikipedia shape their use of the encyclopedia? This study aims to find answers to these questions. The methodology of the study will combine quantitative and qualitative research. A questionnaire will be administered to journalists. Focus groups will be carried out with different journalists' organisations (women, cultural, sports, science, etc.). Finally, direct interviews will be conducted with editors-in-chief and regulatory bodies.

Budget[edit]

Approximate amount requested in USD.

40,000-50,000

Budget Description

Briefly describe what you expect to spend money on (specific budgets and details are not necessary at this time).

The budget comprises 6 parts:
  • 1. equipment and software (qualitative analysis software, voice recorders, etc.): 7315 USD
  • 2. fieldwork (survey dissemination, focus group and interviews): 6950 USD
  • 3. finding dissemination and Open access publishing costs: 6500 USD
  • 4. salaries or stipends of the Principal Investigators, French-English Translator and the data entry operators: 18850 USD
  • 5. Institutional overhead: 5149,95 USD
  • 6. Others or miscellaneous: 4476,495 USD

Impact[edit]

Address the impact and relevance to the Wikimedia projects, including the degree to which the research will address the 2030 Wikimedia Strategic Direction and/or support the work of Wikimedia user groups, affiliates, and developer communities. If your work relates to knowledge gaps, please directly relate it to the knowledge gaps taxonomy.

This study is part of the 2030 strategic direction. As the first research project carried out by the Ivorian UG, we see it as a new form of local contribution (R9), in addition to content publishing and public awareness, to ensure the sustainability (R1) of the Wikimedia movement. The target of journalists is not fortuitous, as they are primary actors in the knowledge ecosystem. Taking an interest in them is a way to promote their inclusion (R3). Moreover, by studying their uses of Wikipedia, the ""service"" function of the encyclopedia will necessarily be evaluated (R10), suggesting perspectives on user experience (R2) or high impact topics (R8). Our results will thus constitute internal knowledge (R7) useful to the whole movement.

Dissemination[edit]

Plans for dissemination.

At the beginning of the project, a press release containing the link to the survey will be sent to journalists. The progress reports (survey, focus group and interviews) and the overall report of the study will be published on Meta-Wiki after their validation. At the end of the study, two scientific articles will be submitted for publication in journals. A feedback conference will be organized to present the findings of the project to journalists, students in journalism and media organisations.

Past Contributions[edit]

Prior contributions to related academic and/or research projects and/or the Wikimedia and free culture communities. If you do not have prior experience, please explain your planned contributions.

Donatien Kanga et Emmanuel Dabo, 2020 – 2022, Monitoring des discours de haine en ligne en Côte d’Ivoire, Internews Côte d’Ivoire

Yanon Géraldine et Barbey Francis, 2018, « Numériques : nouvelles opportunités, nouvelles inégalités : Quelle éducation aux médias numériques pour le rayonnement des cultures locales ? », Communication, technologie et développement

Yanon Géraldine, 2017, Littératie de renforcement des capacités dans les instituts d’enseignement lycéens et universitaires publics ivoiriens : les réseaux sociaux numériques pour apprendre ?, 6è Colloque International du RAIFFET

Donatien Kanga et al., 2014, Étude sur les usages du numérique par les Organisations de la Société Civiles ivoiriennes, Institut Panos Afrique de l’Ouest



I agree to license the information I entered in this form excluding the pronouns, countries of residence, and email addresses under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0. I understand that the decision to fund this Research Fund application, the application itself along with all the information entered by my in this form excluding the pronouns, country of residences, and email addresses of the personnel will be published on Wikimedia Foundation Funds pages on Meta-Wiki and will be made available to the public in perpetuity. To make the results of your research actionable and reusable by the Wikimedia volunteer communities, affiliates and Foundation, I agree that any output of my research will comply with the WMF Open Access Policy. I also confirm that I have read the privacy statement and agree to abide by the WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.

Yes