The argument for authentication is often that we need to know who is saying what in order to distil some sort of credibility. The argument for anonymity is that it allows people to speak-up from the majority (which is often a noisy minority). Anonymous contributions are no less important but they are more at risk of being callous.
Research conducted by Disqus in 2012 revealed that the average pseudonym user (i.e. that has an associated username) contributes 6.5 times the amount of content as the average anonymous user and 4.7 times as much as the average Identified user (i.e. has a linked Facebook profile). Disqus also claims that 61% of Pseudonym posts are positive, vs. 51% for Identified posts and 34% for Anonymous posts. They also found that generally speaking, the number of comments and likes is smallest for anonymous users.
More recent research from Pomola College[1] supports this theory. This suggests that comments from identified users are more relevant than comments from their more anonymous counterparts. In other words, more relevant comments are associated with more revealed identity. Interestingly, though, relevance from email verified users is considerably lower.
Moreover, the nature of the words used in online dialogues (e.g. their complexity versus the various levels of identity) is relatively constant but the length of sentences is a more volatile feature. Groups with more identity associated with their comments are found to use fewer swear words, fewer anger words, more affect words, more positive emotion words, and less negative emotion words.
Another interesting finding is that longer discussion threads become increasingly less dominated by anonymous users.
The conclusion is that a balanced approach to identity must be found. In other words, full identity disclosure may stifle participation but modest identity (e.g. pseudonym or registered) strikes the right balance between participation and quality of debate.
There is a trade-off between anonymity and active participation. A balanced approach to identity is required, full identity disclosure may stifle participation but modest identity (e.g. pseudonym or registered) strikes the right balance between participation and quality of debate.
[1] The Impact of Anonymity in Online Communities : http://www.cs.pomona.edu/~sara/Site/Publications_files/anonymitySood.pdf?utm_content=bufferf4019&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer
This article was originally posted on tCI Wiki – set up by associates of tCI in response to questions and issues raised by clients and members on the challenges they are facing as a result of the impact social isolation policy is having on transformation programmes and projects.
