Goal III.b
Students identify and apply best practices in the use of different technologies for knowledge representation.
Artifact 1 - Research Paper
Artifact Overview
For my research paper for LIS 6711, I examined Archive of Our Own (AO3) as an example of a hybrid folksonomy that combines controlled vocabulary with user-generated tagging. Drawing on current research and my own experience as both an AO3 author and user, I argued that the platform succeeds because it balances standardized organizational structures with the flexibility of community-created tags. The paper analyzed how canonical tags, freeform tagging, and volunteer tag wrangling work together to support both expressive description and reliable information retrieval.
This artifact aligns with Goal III.b because it critically evaluates a real-world knowledge organization system and connects theory to practice. Rather than simply describing folksonomies, I analyzed the strengths and limitations of hybrid organizational models and considered how controlled vocabularies and user participation can coexist to improve information discovery. The paper demonstrates my ability to apply principles of knowledge organization to contemporary digital information environments while evaluating how organizational decisions influence retrieval, accessibility, and user experience.