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Learning in the GNU/Linux Community and R

Introduction

This wiki provides instruction on how to interpret and graph the results of the 'Legitimate Peripheral Participation in the GNU/Linux Community Survey' using R.

Study Purpose

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is often at the cutting edge of technology with rapid prototyping, debugging, and release cycles. GNU/Linux is the best known FOSS operating system with an estimated user base of more than five million users who form a successful community of learners. From an educational point-of-view, the discussion of FOSS is underdeveloped. Particularly, it is the framework under which GNU/Linux is used and developed that deserves more attention from the education community.

In contrast to proprietary software, where the user is considered a passive participant whose primary function is that of a consumer, GNU/Linux consists of a community of users and developers who work together to create and improve software. Active participation is encouraged by members at all skill levels. Similar to academia, the FOSS paradigm emphasizes the importance of sharing and constructing knowledge as a community of learners. Furthermore, the FOSS model and the GNU/Linux community exhibit several characteristics of legitimate peripheral participation, a process whereby learning occurs informally as members of a group interact to develop knowledge and skills (Edwards, 2001; Mateos-Garcia & Steinmueller, 2008).

The GNU/Linux community's strong emphasis on learning may represent a resource relatively untapped by educators. Therefore, research was conducted to study the significance and impact of LPP on learning within this community. The data collected highlight educational benefits of participation in the GNU/Linux community as well as the instruction of the FOSS framework in K-16 academic community.

Please look at "The Purpose and Theory Behind the Study" for a better understanding of the framework behind the data and the purpose of the graphs.

Rationale of this Wiki

One might wonder – what is the purpose of this wiki? Is it to show research results or show people how to use R? Both. If one only wants research results, there is a sample excerpt of findings written as a short academic paper available here. More will be made available later.

In the spirit of open source, it made sense to provide the raw data and let readers reach their own conclusions, or at least provide the steps so that readers could reproduce the findings if they so choose. It is meant as a gesture of gratitude to the 4603 respondents who took the time to complete the survey.

Why 'R'?

Initially, the research data was evaluated using the SPSS software package. A combination of factors led to the discovery of R. SPSS was only available at the university labs; the researchers needed custom graphs that were difficult to find/create/purchase in SPSS. A statistician co-worker recommended R and after that SPSS was left behind. Serious scholars all over the world need to complete statistical computations and feel hindered by expensive proprietary software – these scholars and others contribute to the enormous R community and its large repository of free R expansions. Non-statisticians and non-scientists may not go beyond accessing the basic functions of R; however, they may, nevertheless, find a brief introduction to R rewarding. To learn more about the advantages of R see also:http://www.statmethods.net/index.html

Please enjoy this introduction to R and please submit comments and suggestions.