Citations
Abstract
This dissertation aims to evaluate moderation strategies employed to maintain information integrity within high-stakes advice-giving communities. Unlike exclusion-based approaches typically examined in content moderation literature, the strategies investigated in the dissertation are predominantly inclusive. Integrating theoretical insights from social psychology, rhetorical strategies, and signaling theory, this research predicts changes in the language behaviors of advice givers through the application of game-theoretic models under varying moderation regimes. These theoretical predictions are empirically tested using two specific moderation events within the r/AskDocs online health consultation community. Employing difference-in-differences and regression discontinuity in time methods, this study empirically assesses the causal impact of moderation strategies on the linguistic patterns of advice givers. In doing so, it offers practical insights for designing moderation policies that enhance content quality without restricting community participation. Theoretically, it enriches the online moderation strategy literature.
