Is it possible to rename the Honor Code to avoid variant spelling and also to provide more guidance on good practice.

Question

The Wikitree Honor Code is a very worthwhile initiative but it can be rather jarring and unnecessarily divisive for non-US members to see the American variant spelling of the word honour at the top of their profile. My suggestion is to change to an alternative and more inclusive title avoiding highlighting the difference  in geographical usage - eg Code of Conduct or Principles of Wikitree or Family Research Principles etc. At least the alternative Honor/Honour Code should be shown if the current name is retained as has been  suggested in previous discussions on this subject.

I would also suggest providing  more  guidance to show members what they should be aiming for in terms of genealogical accuracy - maybe something like the Society of Genealogist principles below:

The Society of Genealogists has established essential principles for the conduct of acceptable genealogical research:

1. Accuracy and honesty of all personal research and of work published, promoted or distributed to others.
2. Provision of clear evidence from primary sources to support all conclusions and statements of fact.
3. Use of original sources and records (or surrogate images of originals) to gather key information.
4. Citation and recording of sources used so that others may also evaluate the evidence.
5. Logical and reasoned development of family links with each step proved from valid evidence before further deductions are made.
6. Investigation and analysis of all possible solutions and of contradictory evidence with each alternative hypothesis examined and tested.
7. Qualification of less certain conclusions as probable or possible so that others are not misled
8. Acceptance of the possibility that a solution may not be found and acknowledgement of circumstances in which this occurs.
9. Awareness of gaps in the availability of and information from sources at all levels.
10. Receptiveness to new information and to informed comment which may challenge earlier conclusions.
11. Acknowledgement and attribution of research done by others and use of such work as a secondary source only.
12. Evidence only becomes proof through a reasoned and logical analysis and argument capable of convincing others that the conclusion is valid.

Comments

Whenever I see Honor Code I automatically think it is something linked to my surname!

To me Honor does seem to be an particularly American term; I cannot think of any other country that has Honor Codes and Honor Courts to uphold them. To me "Code of Conduct" seems a better term.

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The more I read about the US systems of Honor Codes, Courts and associated sanctions as they have developed in military and academic contexts, it becomes clear that the concept has connotations  that are not appropriate to WikiTree.

Answer 1

With or without the u is immaterial. I think the majority of people understand what they are signing, and intend to work towards improving the tree. There are plenty of volunteers willing to help with answers and encouragement.

Comments

You're right Marion, I'm sure to people do understand what they are signing but my simple point is it would be better for Wikitree to use spelling-neutral terminology in its templates and stickies where possible. It then doesn't detract from the worldwide nature of community or emphasise one geographic area through variant usage. Not sure what your point is about volunteers though.

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I think Marion probably means that there are 'plenty of volunteers willing to help with answers and encouragement'

• here on G2G
• as Greeters
• as Mentors
• as Team Leaders
• as Project Leaders
• as WikiTreers
• and probably more! (apologies if I've missed anyone out)

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Quite so, but what the excellent work of volunteers helping members or your list of their numerous  varieties  has  got to do with my suggestion about using more inclusive terminology  or providing a checklist of what makes for good genealogical research  is puzzling both respects. I happen to think a bit more detail on the latter would help members - its a quality rather than quantity thing really.

Answer 2

The twelve points adopted by the Society of Genealogists is great but we must keep in mind that many people come to WikiTree as beginners in the family history journey. In my opinion, new members confronted with a list like that would be inclined to leave without completing their membership.

I agree with Marion that the spelling of Honor/Honour is immaterial. The name should be kept as Honor Code or Honor/Honour Code rather than a lengthy title.

Comments

Code of Conduct is short and non-jarring in both Alabama and Stockport Virginia :-) I'm not suggesting that more detailed guidance on good genealogical practice  should be  part of it btw but maybe provided as as add on. Not in a way that would scare people off though! I think many would welcome clearer parameters when trying to research their family tree.

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Anne, I much prefer “Code of Conduct” as a title. As an antipodean, I’m not that bothered by the spelling, but the concept of “Honor” in the American sense is not used in this part of the world. “Conduct” is much clearer and stronger.

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Fiona, I agree 100% - it's actually more important than the spelling issue tbh

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It wouldn't look that much different --

  

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I like the middle one. Wish there were “like” for comments......

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Those were using Arial rounded bold, but I also did one using Verdana, because I don't know what font is used on the badges and did a best guess look-alike.

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Me too Fiona, I didn't frame the question very clearly though, perhaps it could be better put in a new form. The fairly recent decision by admin to make this contentious form of words a profile headline  'sticky'  (in response to an earlier  G2G discussion) has brought into relief the fundamental problem here. It's maybe a bit late in the day to point this out, particularly after 100k+ signatories, but the idea of making this code an 'additional' voluntary pledge is just wrong. The content of the code is a minimum of what should be expected of any Wikitree contributor. It is in fact simply a condition or rule of membership and just sets out what is expected to be part of the community.  Profiles  must be presented and sourced in a careful responsible way - that is what preserves the integrity of the information in a collaborative undertaking. The idea that a separate affirmation should be sought is a very strange one, it is basically illogical. The  Wiki Genealogist badge is only awarded  if the 'honor code' principles are accepted as a baseline. The implied  presupposition of the existence of a  group within the community  that is not signed up and fully in agreement with them is self-defeating.

Would it be possible for wiki admin to respond specifically to the points raised here?

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Hello Anne,

The reason the Honor Code is an additional step is because WikiTree is created for a wide variety of users. Many of our members are simply family members who want access to the research others are doing for them. They aren't required to sign the Honor Code, because they are limited in what they are able to edit and access. In order to open up those possibilities, they are required to take that next step. Even so, even if they haven't signed the Code, they still have to abide by our Terms of Service, which still protects the integrity of the site and work of our members. We've carefully thought out the various member levels in order to accommodate everyone who has an interest in their family history, not just those who are skilled in research. We've also kept it as simple as possible, so as the site grows we aren't constantly making changes to the Code which would require people to re-sign it.

In regard to the spellings used, we are based in America, though we welcome and desire people worldwide to the use site. As such, though, American spellings are what are used out of consistency with our geographical basis.

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Hello Abby,

Thank you for your careful and helpful explanation of WikiTree's use of the Honor Code and also its link to your Terms of Service. 

You  no doubt have good reasons for the 3 levels of membership but my point is simply that all members of the community should abide by the all the contents of the Honor Code as it is currently written. 

More specifically, this second sentence of your introduction contradicts the first - it simply should not be there.

"If you were invited by a family member and are just creating or editing a few private family profiles, the following isn't critical."

With respect it is critical! Whatever their level of engagement any user they should accept and abide by the 9 tenets as listed in the code, there is no good reason to exempt any level of member from any of its provisions – they are  all entirely reasonable expectations. That means that no additional step or pledge should be needed to move to the next level of membership. In short, I believe the current dispensation for Guests and Family members is not justified.

The issue raised can easily be resolved by adopting an uncontentious replacement title for Honor Code eg Code of Conduct at the base level of membership which transfers accordingly with no requirement for  reaffirmation. Raising awareness of the importance of the code could and should be done more often though. Different ways should be found to regularly reinforce the crucial message  that all contributions must be sourced and presented properly, no matter what member makes them.

Lastly on the subject of variant spelling, I believe that Wikitree should follow the Wikipedia practice -“The English Wikipedia prefers no national variety of English over any other and variations should be avoided where possible.” This is my issue with your adoption of the title ‘Honor Code’.   I repeat that many members are uncomfortable with both the spelling and the concept as it is understood in the USA context. Your geographic is worldwide despite the location of your HQ which should have no implications for your choice of terminology.

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Hi Abby

As a non-American, I’d like to have the name of the Honor Code changed to Code of Conduct. As stated elsewhere, the concept of an “Honor Code” is an American one, not widely understood in other countries. I’ve only learned about this idea by watching American movies about educational establishments. If Wikitree wants a more international outlook and following, perhaps it is time for a change to a title with a meaning that has a more universal understanding.

Answer 3

I have to admit that, much as I have tried to just accept that this site was started by Americans and still probably mostly used by Americans, the use of American spellings throughout has been a low-level annoyance for me.

It's not as important (at least to me) as the need to provide the WikiTree interface (and help pages) in multiple languages, but still, it's an itch I haven't been able to scratch.

Although, come to think of it, the option of using multiple languages could solve both problems, because we could have one interface using American spellings, and another one using correct spellings.