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Questionnaire of the Wikipedia Editors Survey November 2011

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Please note that new questions added since the April 2011 Editors Survey are marked as [NEW QUESTION].


INTRODUCTION SCREEN

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Thank you for taking the November 2011 Editors Survey. You have made Wikipedia and its sister projects what it is and your input will help make our projects even better. Our goal is to use the information in this survey to generate insights that help improve your editing experience. We will share our report and analysis of the survey with you when the survey is complete.

The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. We will also use basic information like your edit history from your user profile for analysis.

We realize that this is a significant request of your time and we want to thank you in advance for your support in collecting valuable information that will help us all.

Thanks for your time and contribution!

How will we use this information?

By answering these questions, you permit us to record your responses and agree to donate them to the public domain. This allows us to freely share your answers with others for the purpose of open analysis, research, and study. We will not share publicly your name, address, phone number, or email. This commitment assumes you do not incorporate your personal information in response to a question that doesn't ask for it.

This survey is being conducted by the Wikimedia Foundation, a worldwide organization. By answering our questions, you consent to the transfer of your responses to the United States and other places as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this project.

If you have any questions about this survey, or concerns about confidentiality, please feel free to contact the team conducting the survey: survey@wikimedia.org


SECTION I: INTRODUCTORY QUESTIONS

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[NEW QUESTION]

D1. Thank you for agreeing to participate in the Editors Survey. Did you participate in the April 2011 Wikipedia Editors Survey?

  • 1. Yes
  • 0. No
  • 2. I can’t remember


[NEW QUESTION]

D2a. Have you EVER edited Wikipedia?

  • 1. Yes
  • 0. No
  • 2. I’m not sure


D2b. In what year did you start contributing to Wikipedia?

______


D3. Since you started editing Wikipedia, approximately how many edits have you made? (Please don’t include changes made using bots.)

______


[NEW QUESTION]

D3a. Did you make any anonymous edits in Wikipedia before you registered as a user or set up an account?

1. Yes
0. No


[NEW QUESTION]

[ASK IF D3a=1]

D3a1. How many anonymous edits did you make before you registered as a user or set up an account?

[NUMERICAL OPEN END]


[NEW QUESTION]

D3b. What prompted you to set up a user i.e. a login account for editing? Please choose all those that apply.

a. I wanted to track my edit history.
b. I wanted other editors to be able to see my contributions.
c. It made it easier for other editors to contact me.
d. I wanted to interact more frequently with other editors.
e. I wanted to have a watchlist of articles that I could follow.
f. I wanted the ability to set up my browsing, editing and other preferences in my account.
g. I wanted to create a new articles.


D4. What is your nationality?

______


D5. In which country do you live?

______


D6. Is there a Wikimedia chapter in that country?

1. Yes
0. No
9. I don’t know


[ASK ONLY IF D6=1]

D6a. Are you a member of the local Wikimedia Chapter?

1. Yes
0. No


[NEW QUESTION]

[ASK ONLY IF D6a=0]

D6b. Why are you not a member of the local Wikimedia Chapter?

a. I am not interested in chapter activities.
b. I see no benefit in being a member.
c. I don’t have enough information about the chapter.
d. I am only interested in editing.
e. Other, please specify: ______


D7. What is/are your primary language(s)? Please choose all that apply.

  • ...


D8. We are interested in learning about your proficiency with computers and computer applications. Below is a list of proficiency levels. Please choose one that describes you the best.

  1. I am not very comfortable using a computer.
  2. I use my computer to read email, browse the Internet and use word processors.
  3. I can download and set up files and applications on my computer.
  4. I can program and create my own applications.

SECTION II: PARTICIPATION AND CONTRIBUTION

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The next few questions are about your participation in Wikipedia.


Q1a. Which language versions of Wikipedia do you CONTRIBUTE to? Please choose all that apply.

...

[NOTE TO PROGRAMMER ONLY SHOW THE CHOICES IN q1a]

Q1b. Which language version of Wikipedia do you PRIMARILY CONTRIBUTE to? Please choose ONE.

  • ...

Q2a. Which language versions of Wikipedia do you READ? Please choose all that apply.

...


[NOTE TO PROGRAMMER ONLY SHOW THE CHOICES IN q2a]

Q2b. Which language version of Wikipedia do you PRIMARILY READ? Please choose ONE.

  • ...


Q3. What is your user access level? Please choose all that apply.

  1. Unregistered user (no account)
  2. Registered user (basic account, with or without rollbacker, reviewer status, etc.)
  3. Administrator
  4. Bureaucrat
  5. Steward
  6. Checkuser
  7. Oversighter


Q4a. We are interested in finding out more about your recent participation in Wikipedia and the Wikipedia community. For each activity, please indicate how often you have participated in the following activities in the last 30 days.

[ACROSS]

  • Not at all
  • Seldom
  • Sometimes
  • Often
  • Very often

[DOWN] [RANDOMIZE]

a. I write new articles.
b. I add content to existing articles.
c. I fix formatting, spelling/grammar, or make other minor edits to articles
d. I do translation work.
e. I patrol for vandalism, copyright violations, or other problems with articles.
f. I answer readers’ questions and complaints.
g. I resolve disputes among volunteers (e.g. mediation, arbitration).
h. I organize or help events, workshops, meet-ups, or annual Wikimania conferences.
i. I do public outreach or advocacy outside the Wikipedia community.
j. I do technical work such as maintaining servers or software.
k. I participate in chapter work.
l. I participate in discussions about articles.
m. I develop or maintain policies, guidelines and similar community processes.


Q4b. Below is a similar list of activities. Please indicate how often you have participated in the following activities in the last 30 days.

[ACROSS]

  • Not at all
  • Seldom
  • Sometimes
  • Often
  • Very Often

[DOWN] [RANDOMIZE]

a. I upload or edit media, images, maps, etc.
b. I conduct quality review and assess articles for featured-article selection.
c. I participate in deletion processes such as speedy deletion, proposed deletion and articles for deletion discussion.
d. I work on the help desk or do other work to welcome new editors.
e. Other, please specify: ______


Q6. Below is a list of tools available for editors. For each one, please tell us whether you find it useful.

[ACROSS]

  • 0. I am not aware of this tool.
  • 1. It is a useful tool.
  • 2. It makes no difference.
  • 3. It is not useful at all.

[DOWN] [RANDOMIZE]

a. WikiLove
b. Article Feedback Tool


[NEW QUESTION]

[ASK ONLY THOSE WHO STARTED EDITING WIKIPEDIA IN 2010 AND BEFORE BASED ON D2, it would require computing a new variable in the background]

Q7a. Thinking about THIS YEAR (2011), how active were you on Wikipedia compared to the previous year (2010)? Please choose one.

  • 1. I was less active on Wikipedia in 2011 compared to 2010.
  • 2. There was no change in my activity level.
  • 3. I was more active on Wikipedia in 2011 compared to 2010.


[NEW QUESTION]

[ASK ONLY IF Q7A=1]

Q7b. Why did you become less active on Wikipedia? Please choose all that apply.

[RANDOMIZE]

a. I don’t have time.
b. I spend more time on other online activities like Facebook, blogging, Twitter etc.
c. I spend more time on other offline activities like reading, spending time with my family and friends etc.
d. It is a waste of my time since my edits will be reverted or deleted.
e. I think I don’t have enough expertise to contribute.
f. Other people are doing it, so I don’t have to do it.
g. I don’t want to edit the work of other editors.
h. I am happy to read, and I don’t feel the need to contribute.
i. I choose not to spend my time editing.
j. I don’t edit because of conflicts with other editors.
k. The rules and guidelines for editing have become too complicated.
l. There isn't enough interaction or communication with other editors.
m. I keep getting warnings and other kinds of discouraging notifications.
n. I spend more time on school and/or academic work.
o. I don't think it needs more content.
p. Other, please specify: ______ [ANCHOR]


SECTION III: TECHNOLOGY AND NETWORKING

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The next few questions are about your use of different types of technological devices and Internet websites.


Q8a. Below is a list of electronic devices some people own. Which of the following do you own?

[RANDOMIZE]

a. A desktop computer
b. A laptop computer or netbook
c. A tablet device such as an iPad
d. A mobile or cellular phone
e. An MP3 player such as an iPod
f. None of the above [ANCHOR, MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE]


[ASK ONLY IF Q8a(d)=1]

Q8b. Do you own a smart phone such as an iPhone, Android, or Blackberry?

1. Yes
0. No


Q8c. Below is a similar list of electronic devices. Which of these do you use to EDIT Wikipedia? Please choose all that apply.

a. A desktop computer
b. A laptop computer or netbook
c. A tablet device such as an iPad
d. A mobile or cellular phone
e. An MP3 player such as an iPod


Q8d. Below is a similar list of electronic devices. Which of these do you use to READ Wikipedia? Please choose all that apply.

a. A desktop computer
b. A laptop computer or netbook
c. A tablet device such as an iPad
d. A mobile or cellular phone
e. An MP3 player such as an iPod


SECTION IV: WIKIPEDIA COMMUNITY

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These next questions are about your interactions with other Wikipedia editors and your experiences as a member of the Wikipedia community.


Q17. We are interested in finding out how you would describe fellow editors. Below is a list of words to describe editors within the Wikipedia community. Please choose the TOP TWO words that describe Wikipedia editors. Please select two.

[RANDOMIZE]

a. Helpful
b. Friendly
c. Collaborative
d. Rude
e. Unfriendly
f. Intelligent
g. Dumb
h. Arrogant


Q18a. Below is a list of interactions/experiences editors may have with others within the Wikipedia community. For each one, please tell us if you have had this interaction/experience IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS.

[RANDOMIZE]

a. Another editor adding content/photos to an article you are working on.
b. Having inaccurate material added to an article you started.
c. Getting a barnstar or similar award from another editor.
d. Having your article(s) selected as featured article(s).
e. Having other editors fix grammatical errors in article(s) you started.
f. Having other editors add content to article(s) you started.
g. Having your picture(s) used in articles.
h. Having your content reused.
i. Having others compliment you on your edits/articles.
j. Article(s) making it to the front page.


Q18b. Below is a similar list of interactions/experiences editors may have with others within the Wikipedia community. For each one, please tell us if you have had this interaction/experience IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS.

a. Having your edits reverted without any explanation
b. Having your edits reverted, but with an explanation
c. Having an article that you were working on deleted
d. Being looked down on by more experienced editors
e. Argument(s) with editors on discussion pages or elsewhere
f. Other editors pushing their point of view
g. Having offensive or inaccurate material added to articles you were working on


[ONLY SHOW THOSE OPTIONS FOR Q18 where a-j & a-g =1]

Q19. Below is a shorter list of interactions you have had within Wikipedia community. For each one, please tell us the degree to which it affects your overall experience editing Wikipedia.

1. This makes me less likely to continue editing Wikipedia.
2. This does not affect my likelihood to edit Wikipedia.
3. This makes me more likely to continue editing Wikipedia.


Q20a. If you had to choose, which of these would you agree with: [QT=SS]

[ROTATE OPTIONS]

1. The feedback from other editors through reverts, discussions, etc. has helped me become a better editor.
2. The feedback from other editors through reverts, discussions, etc. has been a bad experience for me.


[NEW QUESTION]

Q21. Did you know that some warning messages on your talk page are from 'bots'? (Bots are automated or semi-automated tools that carry out repetitive and mundane tasks to maintain Wikipedia)

1. Yes
0. No


[ASK ONLY IF Q21=1]

[NEW QUESTION]

Q21a. If you had to choose, which of these would you agree with:

[ROTATE OPTIONS]

1. Warning messages from bots (on my talk page) make me less likely to edit.
2. Warning messages from bots (on my talk page) don’t affect my editing.


[NEW QUESTION]

Q22a. Have you asked fellow editors for help on any of the following topics?

[ACROSS]

1. Yes
0. No

[DOWN]

a. Editorial policy
b. Technical help, including Wiki Mark Up, multi-media etc.
c. Asking others to edit an article that you are working on or interested in
d. Reference related questions
e. Content related questions


[ASK ONLY IF Q22a=1 FOR AT LEAST ONE OPTION]

[NEW QUESTION]

Q22b. Thinking about the last time you asked a fellow editor for help, how happy were you with the help you received?

5. Extremely Happy
4. Very Happy
3. Neither Happy or Unhappy
2. Very Unhappy
1. Extremely Unhappy


[NEW QUESTION]

Q23. Below, we list some problems that have been identified with Wikimedia culture. Please pick the THREE most important problems that have affected you personally, making it harder for you to edit.

[RANDOMIZE]

a. Too many rules and policies
b. Editors who feel like they "own" specific articles, and don't want others to contribute to them
c. The editing interface is hard to use
d. Editors who are not fun to work with
e. The software for doing maintenance tasks (such as patrolling and fighting vandalism or spam) is too hard to use
f. Lack of support from other editors
g. Lack of access to research materials like scholarly articles and books
h. Criticism of you and your work, including reverts and deletions
i. Warning messages on your talk page
j. Harassment by other editors


[NEW QUESTION]

Q24. Below are some changes that might make it easier for you to contribute. Please pick THREE that would help you the most.

[RANDOMIZE]

a. Policies and rules were simpler
b. Editors are persuaded to behave better or unpleasant ones are banned
c. The editing interface was more user friendly
d. Real-time access to editors who could help you if you were stuck
e. Software for doing maintenance tasks (such as patrolling, fighting vandalism, spam) were easier to use
f. Editors who stalk and seriously harass others were banned
g. Improved or free access to research materials like scholarly articles and books
h. More praise/thanks from other editors
i. Feedback from others that would help you learn from your mistakes
j. Access to a mentor, coach or guide


[NEW QUESTION]

Q25. Below is a list of levels of engagement editors have with Wikipedia. Please select ALL that apply.

[RANDOMIZE]

a. I understand what is expected from me
b. I am provided with the tools and materials I need to work well
c. I have the opportunity to do what I do best
d. Someone cares about me as a person
e. I feel my opinion counts
f. The mission of Wikipedia makes me feel that my work is important
g. My fellow volunteers are committed to doing quality work
h. There is somebody in the Wikipedia community who seems committed to helping me do good work
i. The decisions I have made as part of the community feel fair
j. I would recommend a friend to get involved in Wikipedia


[NEW QUESTION]

Q26. What is the single biggest obstacle that you face in making an important contribution to Wikipedia?

______ [OPEN-ENDED RESPONSE]


[NEW QUESTION]

Q27. What is the one thing that, if changed for better, would make it possible for you to contribute more effectively?

______ [OPEN-ENDED RESPONSE]


[ASK ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE MADE 1-10 EDITS]

Q28. As a new editor, we are interested in your opinion about how the community should phrase the welcome templates i.e. messages for greeting new users. On a scale of 1-10, please rate the following suggestions to rewrite the welcome templates.

a. The welcome message should mention the first article that a new editor has edited
b. The welcome message should mention username of the new editor
c. The welcome message should come from a fellow editor that I can contact
d. The welcome message should focus less on maintaining the quality of the article that a new editor has edited
e. The welcome message should use language that celebrates the first edit of a new editor


[NEW QUESTION]

Q29. Are you aware that the number of active Wikipedia editors (i.e. those who edit frequently) has fallen in the recent years?

1. Yes
0. No


[ASK ONLY IF Q29=1]

Q29a. We are interested in your opinion about what can be done to increase number of contributors to Wikipedia. Please select all of the statements that you agree with.

[RANDOMIZE BUT KEEP c & d TOGETHER]

a. I feel that it is important to increase the number of editors to ensure Wikipedia is successful in the future.
b. I believe that research can help figure out how to retain and attract new editors to Wikipedia.
c. I feel that the community needs to take action to create a better environment to RETAIN CURRENT editors.
d. I feel that the community needs to take action to create a better environment to ATTRACT NEW editors.


Q29b. Are you aware of the gender divide that exists in the Wikipedia editing community?

1. Yes
0. No


Q30. We are interested in your opinion on how the Wikimedia Foundation should spend money. If you donated 100 dollars to the Foundation, how would you like the foundation to allocate money for the following? (Please ensure that all the responses add up to $100.)

[IT SHOULD BE CODED IN SUCH A WAY THAT RESPONDENTS SHOULD KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY IS LEFT AS THEY ALLOCATE FOR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES]]

[RANDOMIZE]

a. Technical operations (more operations staff, new caching servers, performance metrics, uptime)
b. Technical features development for EXPERIENCED editors
c. Technical features development for NEW editors
d. Technical features development for READERS
e. Community work aimed at attracting/supporting editors globally
f. Community work aimed at attracting/supporting editors in Global South
g. Community work aimed at attracting/supporting editors in my country
h. Grantmaking to Wikimedians or groups like other non-profits
i. Support for other sister projects, not just Wikipedia
j. Other, please specify: ______

SECTION V: WIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION, CHAPTERS AND BOARD

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The next few questions are about your participation with the Wikimedia Foundation, Chapters and board of trustees.


Q31. Have you ever sought or received information from the Wikimedia Foundation?

1. Yes
0. No


[ASK ONLY IF Q31=1]

Q31a. Are you happy with the quality of information you received from the Wikimedia Foundation?

1 Yes
0 No


[ASK ALL]

Q32. Have you ever voted in the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees elections?

2. Yes
1. No, but I am aware of the elections
0. No, I am not aware of the elections


[ASK ONLY IF Q32=1]

Q32a. Why have you never voted in the elections for the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees? Please choose all that apply.

[RANDOMIZE]

a. I missed the deadline.
b. I felt I didn’t have enough information about the Wikimedia Foundation to make a good decision.
c. I felt I didn’t have enough information about the candidates to make a good decision.
d. I wanted to vote but was not eligible.
e. I was not interested.
f. Other, please specify: ______


[ASK ONLY IF Q32=0]

Q33. Now that you know about the elections for the Wikimedia Board of Trustees, would you be interested in voting in these elections in future?

1. Yes
0. No


Q34. Have you ever run, or would you like to run, for the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees?

1. Yes
0. No, I’m not interested
9. No, I wasn't eligible

[ASK ONLY IF Q34=0]


Q34a. Why are you not interested in running in the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees' elections?

a. I missed the deadline.
b. I am not interested in running for elections.
c. I disagree with Wikimedia Foundation’s policies and practices.
d. I think I can’t make a difference even if I am elected.
e. I don’t have the information or don’t know how to run for elections.
f. Other, please specify: ______


[FOR EACH OF THESE QUESTIONS THERE SHOULD BE AN OPTION “NOT APPLICABLE”]

Q35a. On a 0-10 scale with 0 being NOT AT ALL GOOD and 10 being EXTREMELY GOOD, how would you rate your own performance, in contributing to the Wikimedia movement?

  • Not applicable


Q35b. On a 0-10 scale with 0 being NOT AT ALL GOOD and 10 being EXTREMELY GOOD, how would you rate the performance of Wikimedia volunteers overall, in contributing to the Wikimedia movement?


Q35c. On a 0-10 scale with 0 being NOT AT ALL GOOD and 10 being EXTREMELY GOOD, how would you rate the performance of the Wikimedia Foundation, in contributing to the Wikimedia movement?


Q35d. On a 0-10 scale with 0 being NOT AT ALL GOOD and 10 being EXTREMELY GOOD, how would you rate the performance of the Wikimedia chapters, in contributing to the Wikimedia movement?


SECTION VI: DEMOGRAPHICS

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Before we finish, we would like you to answer some questions about yourself.


D9. How old are you?

______ years


D10. What is the highest level of education you have completed?

Primary education (elementary, primary, middle school or junior high school, etc.)
Secondary education (high school, A-levels, apprenticeship, etc.)
Tertiary education undergraduate (diploma, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree)
Graduate education (master’s)
Graduate education (doctorate)


D11. Are you currently enrolled in school or university?

1. Yes
0. No


D12. Are you employed?

1. Yes, I am working full-time.
2. Yes, I am working part-time.
3. No, I am not currently employed.


D13. Are you married, do you have a partner, or are you single?

1. I am married.
2. I have a partner, but I am not married.
3. I am single.


D14. Do you have children?

1. Yes, I have children
0. No, I don’t have children


D15. What is your gender?

1. Male
0. Female
2. Transsexual
3. Transgender


[ASK ONLY IF D15=0]

D16. We are interested in the interactions that women have within the Wikipedia community. Below is a list of unpleasant experiences some female editors might have had. Please mark if you have PERSONALLY had any of these experiences. Please choose all that apply.

a. I have received too much attention.
b. I was stalked online.
c. Someone tried to contact me unnecessarily outside Wikipedia.
d. Someone tried to meet me in person.
e. Someone used my image without my permission.
f. Someone left inappropriate messages for me, or comments about me, in userspace or elsewhere on Wikipedia.
g. Someone tried to flirt with me.
h. Other, please specify: ______
i. None of the above [ANCHOR, MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE]


EXIT SCREEN

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THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE SURVEY! THE DATA WILL BE ANONYMIZED AND RESULTS WILL BE RELEASED INTO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.