Dispute Resolution
In a collaborative environment like Origin Wiki, disagreements about content, policies, or behaviors occasionally arise. This guide outlines the dispute resolution process to help resolve conflicts constructively.
Types of Disputes
Principles of Dispute Resolution
Focus on Content, Not Contributors
Discussions should center on improving articles, not on criticizing other editors. Address the edit, not the editor.
Assume Good Faith
Assume that other editors are trying to help improve Origin Wiki, even if you disagree with their edits.
Seek Consensus
The goal is to reach a solution that most editors can accept, not to "win" an argument or impose your preferred version.
Follow Policies and Guidelines
Base arguments on Origin Wiki's established policies and guidelines, such as verifiability, neutral point of view, and notability.
Steps in Dispute Resolution
Origin Wiki offers a graduated system of dispute resolution, starting with informal discussions and escalating to more formal processes if needed:
- Talk page discussion:
Always start by discussing the issue on the relevant article's talk page. Present your concerns clearly, provide evidence, and listen to others' perspectives.
- Request comments from other editors:
If talk page discussion doesn't resolve the issue, invite uninvolved editors to comment. This can bring fresh perspectives and help break deadlocks.
- Seek informal mediation:
Ask an experienced editor to help mediate the dispute. This can be particularly helpful when communication has broken down.
- Request formal mediation:
For complex disputes, you can request formal mediation from the Mediation Committee. This involves a structured process with a designated mediator.
- Administrator intervention:
In cases involving policy violations or disruptive behavior, you can request administrator intervention.
Common Types of Disputes
Content Disputes
Disagreements about what information should be included in an article, how it should be presented, or how much weight should be given to different viewpoints.
Resolution approach: Focus on reliable sources and Origin Wiki's content policies, particularly verifiability and neutral point of view.
Source Disputes
Disagreements about the reliability of sources or how they should be interpreted.
Resolution approach: Evaluate sources based on their reputation, independence, and editorial oversight. Consider seeking input from editors with expertise in evaluating sources.
Behavioral Disputes
Conflicts arising from how editors interact with each other, such as incivility, personal attacks, or disruptive editing patterns.
Resolution approach: Focus on specific behaviors rather than making assumptions about motives. If direct communication doesn't work, seek help from experienced editors or administrators.
Effective Communication in Disputes
- Be clear and specific: Clearly state what you disagree with and why, providing specific examples.
- Use evidence: Support your position with references to reliable sources and Origin Wiki policies.
- Listen actively: Try to understand others' perspectives, even if you disagree with them.
- Stay calm: Avoid emotional language and personal attacks, even if you feel frustrated.
- Be willing to compromise: Consider alternative solutions and be open to finding middle ground.
- Take breaks when needed: If a discussion becomes heated, step away temporarily to cool down.
- Acknowledge valid points: Recognize when others make good arguments, even if you don't agree with their overall position.
When to Seek Help
Consider seeking help from administrators or experienced editors when:
- A dispute has continued for an extended period without progress
- The same content is repeatedly added and removed (edit warring)
- Personal attacks or incivility are occurring
- You believe policies are being violated
- Communication has broken down completely
Tips for Resolving Disputes in the Crypto Space
The cryptocurrency and Web3 space presents unique challenges for dispute resolution:
- Rapidly evolving field: Be open to updating content as new information emerges.
- Strong opinions: Recognize that many people have strong views about cryptocurrency projects and technologies.
- Financial interests: Be aware that some editors may have financial stakes in the topics they're editing.
- Technical complexity: When disputes involve technical details, seek input from editors with relevant expertise.
- Source evaluation: Pay special attention to the independence and reliability of sources in this field.