Validating Knowledge Filtering Processes in Electronic Networks of Practice

Online forums sponsored by Electronic Networks of Practice (ENPs) have become an important source of information for individuals seeking solutions to problems online. However, not all information available in a forum is helpful or accurate, requiring knowledge seekers to evaluate and filter the solutions they encounter. Most forums offer peripheral cues to help knowledge seekers make evaluation decisions, yet little is understood about the information filtering patterns people engage in when filtering information on ENP forums. This paper reports the results of a pilot fMRI study designed to elucidate the neural correlates involved in evaluating both content and peripheral cues encountered on an ENP forum. The ultimate goal of this research is to better understand information processing patterns in online forums and how these patterns produce more or less accurate filtering results.