Weblogs as computer mediated communication

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Weblogs as computer mediated communication
Standard Web Pages
Weblogs
Asynchronous CMC
rarely updated asymmetrical broadcast multimedia
frequently updated asymmetrical exchange limited
multimedia
constantly updated symmetrical exchange text-based
Source Herring et al (2005) Bridging the Gap A
Genre Analysis of Weblogs
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Static homepage
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Bulletin Boards, Course Management Systems, etc.
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Network of weblogs
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Growth of blogosphere 1Weblogs indexed by
Technorati
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Growth of blogosphere 2New weblogs created
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Weblogs and societyopposing views and
interpretations
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Uses of personal publishing in research

• Helping in selecting material
• Visible web of interpersonal trust
• Managing personal knowledge
• Obtaining speedy feedback on ideas
• Facilitating connections between researchers
• Clustering content relating to emerging fields
• Fostering diversity
• Opening up windows in the Ivory Tower(s)
• Sébastien Paquet (2002) Personal knowledge
  publishing and its uses in research

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Case Blog research blog

• Note taking
• Feedback from peers and others
• Conversation with the research subjects
• Establishing virtual presence and legitimizing
  the research
• Documenting the research process