Instructor and peer influence on college student use and perceptions of Wikipedia

Purpose This study aims to investigate how undergraduate students are influenced by instructors and peers in the ways that they use and think about Wikipedia for academic work. It examines the positive (encouraging the use of Wikipedia) and negative (discouraging the use of Wikipedia) influences of others and how these affect student behavior and attitudes. Design/methodology/approach Sixteen undergraduates participated in two meetings each with the principal investigator, each meeting consisting of a structured interview and a brief survey. Recorded interviews were analyzed by the investigator for patterns to compare participants' responses. Findings Participants were more frequently and strongly influenced by instructors than by peers about Wikipedia, and this influence was for the most part perceived to be negative. However, the ways in which student behaviors and attitudes changed in response to this influence varied. Three categories or influence types emerged in the ways influence was manifested: receptive, independent and conflicted. Practical implications The findings of this study will aid instructors of undergraduate students by describing the likely reactions of those students to various ways of talking about Wikipedia. This information can help inform methods for teaching different kinds of students about the website. Originality/value Previous studies have shown how students use Wikipedia, as well as the attitudes of faculty toward Wikipedia. This study serves to bridge the gap between these areas, providing insight into how faculty and classmates' attitudes influence student use of Wikipedia.