Refined topic:
For my research paper I am exploring how people have changed the way they process, access and find information on the internet as technology has evolved. Do people read online differently then in print? Do people use the internet different as technology evolves? Do people change their expectations of how they use the internet? Do people use different key words, web pages, and different kinds of search tools? Are they successful in finding the information they are looking for?
Refined thesis:
Internet users have changed the way they process, access and find information to be more efficient as a direct response to progressive changes in the medium.
Two articles:
Gong, W., Li, Z., & Stump, R. (2006, April). Global internet use and access: Cultural considerations. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 19(1), 57-74. Retrieved March, 2009, from Joster database. doi:13555850710720902
Stafford, T. (2008). Social and Usage Process Motivations for Consumer Internet Access. Organizational and End User Computing, 20(3), 1-21. Retrieved March, 2009, from Joster database.
Summary:
The article “Social and Usage Process Motivations for Consumer Internet Access,” analyzed how people used the Internet and what motivated their actions. The study used information from America Online and put customers into two categories; heavy internet users motivated by social interaction and light internet users motivated by learning how to find information and applying a new technology. The study concluded that light internet users are not motivated to use the Internet based on learning more about the medium. The study also found that heavy users are less process oriented then light Internet users.
The article “Global internet use and access: Cultural considerations. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics,” how socioeconomic, race, culture and more influence access and choices while online. The first major point that this article talked about was that if you don’t have Internet access. For countries that are less developed there continued to be less usage. Usage was also shown to increase with educations. For example, the more educated an individual is the more likely they are to be able to have an Internet connection and are familiar with how to use the Internet. This availability ranged from country to country. The study also measured their findings against critical communications theory, such as masculine v. feminine, power distance, Individualism v. Collectivism, to help pinpoint behavioral actions and quantify them by category.
Discussion:
The article, “Social and Usage Process Motivations for Consumer Internet Access” was really spoke to what I want to learn about. I am most interested in the behavior aspect of Internet usage and I have only recently been finding some articles about the study of consumer behavior. This article spoke directly to my thesis statement in regards to learning more about consumer behavior in how they make choices online, how they process this information and how adaptation and evolution of the Internet changes the behavior of consumers. What this article did not speak to is the change and adaptation of both people’s process for accessing the Internet and the motivations for their choices on line.
The article,” Global internet use and access: Cultural considerations. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics” brought in a new dimension that I don’t currently have any information on and that is how culture can have a significant influence on Internet use. Not only does culture influence how the Internet is used, but access is an issue as well, which is a point that has not come up previously in any of my other articles. Socio-economic implications can have a large impact on how people access and process information from the Internet. People will not be able to access the internet more efficiently, which is part of what I am exploring in my thesis, if they don’t have access to the Internet. If only the wealthy people in a certain culture have access to the Internet –the results about efficiency, process and user ability will be thrown off. This article has helped me look at my thesis with a more broad perspective.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Answers to study questions: Internet unit
Responses from the reading questions for the article How the Web Polarized Politics.
1. What does the author mean by political polarization?
I think what the author is saying that political polarization is fueled by the web because it provides an open forum for people to converse about issues across space and time. In these open forums, the author points out, most of the participants are people who have strong views, opinion and feel compelled to express their points of view. This may not be the case for the general population. Many people may not feel as strongly about an issue and therefore do not feel compelled to speak their mind online, whereas the content that is found online is from people who feel that they must expel their beliefs and engage in conversation.
2. What are your thoughts about the statement, "Governments feel they are royalty to some degree"?
I believe what the author is conveying with this statement, is that the government does not feel they justification for certain choices are needed. Government may not engage with constituents about every decision being made. That once a decision is made after discourse in congress, there does not need to be more debate and discussion with the general public.
3. Do you agree/disagree with the statement, "We've literally experienced an information tsunami-but more information does not mean better decisions"? Why?
I believe that the amount of information that is continually being made available through the web is massive. However, I don’t believe – like a tsunami, that the information has become all encompassing, with the threat of drowning us all at once. More information may help make a better decision. The access to new information can certainly provide clarity. I understand the author’s point that it is very east to drown in the title wave of information that is available. That with so much information it could be hard to discern one particular path or answer to a question. I pose the opposite thought, without any direction, reference or relation to other’s experience you are making an uninformed decision. Instead of making a decision based on lots of information you could be making a choice based on your own intuition and limited knowledge.
4. The author states that "the very technology that is meant to solve problems merely makes people more emotional-not more reasonable". Give an example of a real life digital convergence that can be viewed to make people more emotional.
The idea that people feel passionate about their views and can easily publish these views can lead to disagreement. Emotions can run high with conflict and disagreement. In another way, people have more access to information and can find things online, like news stories that are graphic, sad and or upsetting. If a story is popular, there may be over exposure of the story and it cannot be avoided.
Article #2
Responses from the reading questions for the article Digital Future of the United States: Part 1--the Future of the World Wide Web.
1. The Web has been a platform for the creation of a wide and unanticipated variety of services. Name one of the commercial services and how you apply the service to your daily/weekly routine.
I use Google all the time for searching for information, images and anything else I might need. I also have their e-mail service. I use Google for both work and personal use. It has gotten to the point where I use Google everyday, from research, to using Google docs. for our group project to looking for directions.
2. What does the author mean by "Semantic Web"? How does this effect the future of convergence?
What the author is talking about in a “semantic web” is a higher level way of organizing data and information across web pages. The author makes the analogy that eventually users will be able to look at the data on the web as inter connected pieces of one giant data set. All the data follows a format so that it can be easily accessed and linked based on the universal format. This makes the data set even more valuable and malleable because it can plug right other data.
3. The future of the web has created substantial privacy challenges which are barely addressed by our current privacy laws. What are your thoughts on new data integration? Is the thought of this legal?
Do we give up our privacy for convenience? Do we put innovation above releasing our personal information? I think that data integrations is a positive and powerful tool. It would be easier to find what I am looking for, research and information, if data is integrated. However, to me these things are not worth loosing my identity. I don’t think that data integration of personal information is a good idea. However, this leads to a tough balancing act. How do you regulate this information, is it even possible to do? Is it reasonable to think that we can regulate this information? Just as there are pornographic content on the web that is not easy to regulate – how could laws be enacted to ensure that all private information remain private. I would think that data integration of now personal information is not legal. I just wonder how we could regulate and control something like web content once the process of integration takes place, there are bound to be some glitches.
1. What does the author mean by political polarization?
I think what the author is saying that political polarization is fueled by the web because it provides an open forum for people to converse about issues across space and time. In these open forums, the author points out, most of the participants are people who have strong views, opinion and feel compelled to express their points of view. This may not be the case for the general population. Many people may not feel as strongly about an issue and therefore do not feel compelled to speak their mind online, whereas the content that is found online is from people who feel that they must expel their beliefs and engage in conversation.
2. What are your thoughts about the statement, "Governments feel they are royalty to some degree"?
I believe what the author is conveying with this statement, is that the government does not feel they justification for certain choices are needed. Government may not engage with constituents about every decision being made. That once a decision is made after discourse in congress, there does not need to be more debate and discussion with the general public.
3. Do you agree/disagree with the statement, "We've literally experienced an information tsunami-but more information does not mean better decisions"? Why?
I believe that the amount of information that is continually being made available through the web is massive. However, I don’t believe – like a tsunami, that the information has become all encompassing, with the threat of drowning us all at once. More information may help make a better decision. The access to new information can certainly provide clarity. I understand the author’s point that it is very east to drown in the title wave of information that is available. That with so much information it could be hard to discern one particular path or answer to a question. I pose the opposite thought, without any direction, reference or relation to other’s experience you are making an uninformed decision. Instead of making a decision based on lots of information you could be making a choice based on your own intuition and limited knowledge.
4. The author states that "the very technology that is meant to solve problems merely makes people more emotional-not more reasonable". Give an example of a real life digital convergence that can be viewed to make people more emotional.
The idea that people feel passionate about their views and can easily publish these views can lead to disagreement. Emotions can run high with conflict and disagreement. In another way, people have more access to information and can find things online, like news stories that are graphic, sad and or upsetting. If a story is popular, there may be over exposure of the story and it cannot be avoided.
Article #2
Responses from the reading questions for the article Digital Future of the United States: Part 1--the Future of the World Wide Web.
1. The Web has been a platform for the creation of a wide and unanticipated variety of services. Name one of the commercial services and how you apply the service to your daily/weekly routine.
I use Google all the time for searching for information, images and anything else I might need. I also have their e-mail service. I use Google for both work and personal use. It has gotten to the point where I use Google everyday, from research, to using Google docs. for our group project to looking for directions.
2. What does the author mean by "Semantic Web"? How does this effect the future of convergence?
What the author is talking about in a “semantic web” is a higher level way of organizing data and information across web pages. The author makes the analogy that eventually users will be able to look at the data on the web as inter connected pieces of one giant data set. All the data follows a format so that it can be easily accessed and linked based on the universal format. This makes the data set even more valuable and malleable because it can plug right other data.
3. The future of the web has created substantial privacy challenges which are barely addressed by our current privacy laws. What are your thoughts on new data integration? Is the thought of this legal?
Do we give up our privacy for convenience? Do we put innovation above releasing our personal information? I think that data integrations is a positive and powerful tool. It would be easier to find what I am looking for, research and information, if data is integrated. However, to me these things are not worth loosing my identity. I don’t think that data integration of personal information is a good idea. However, this leads to a tough balancing act. How do you regulate this information, is it even possible to do? Is it reasonable to think that we can regulate this information? Just as there are pornographic content on the web that is not easy to regulate – how could laws be enacted to ensure that all private information remain private. I would think that data integration of now personal information is not legal. I just wonder how we could regulate and control something like web content once the process of integration takes place, there are bound to be some glitches.
corrected blog 6
Refined topic:
For my research paper I am exploring how people have changed the way they process, access and find information on the internet as technology has evolved. Do people read online differently then in print? Do people use the internet different as technology evolves? Do people change their expectations of how they use the internet? Do people use different key words, web pages, and different kinds of search tools? Are they successful in finding the information they are looking for?
Refined thesis:
It is believed that by using the internet users have changed the way they process, access and find information to be more efficient.
Summary:
The article “Strategic positioning and resource-based thinking: cutting through the haze of punditry to understand factors behind sustainable, successful internet businesses” looks at three major factors in successful companies and their online interfaces and components. The article emphasizes the importance of not only implementing cutting edge technology and innovation, but doing so in a timely way. “During Yahoo’s period of search innovation dormancy, Google was able to leverage its technical lead to create brand, grow market share, and this generate scale,” (Gallaugher 2007). In addition to these key points an organization must have strategic and nimble interfaces both online and internally to make everything function at a high capacity and maintain market place value. The use of advertising, branding and taking action towards a strategic plan increased successful internet organizations. “Through advertising and most notably PR, Yahoo grabbed media attention ahead of its rivals,” (Gallaugher 2007).
The article “I’m Feeling Lucky”: The Role of Emotions in Seeking Information on the Web” looked at how individuals emotions affected their choices and actions when searching for information online. The way a website is set up visually and the experience an individual has when trying access information affects their future choices. Individuals may have increased or decreased confidence based on how successful they in accessing the information they need. How a webpage is set up can affect user success. For example; by having consistent looking links and clear verbal indicators users may have an easier time finding what they are looking for because they know what visual clues to engage. “Best practices in site search design, such as the BBC search results page, match the natural pattern of states users move through while seeking information. Manual recommendations also represent a best practice for site search because they can aid in reducing uncertainty,” (Kalbach 2006).
Discussion about how the two articles relate to my topic:
Doing this research has helped me refine what I am looking for even more than last week. I feel that I was able to narrow down my research and found some interesting articles that brought a different perspective to how the internet influences the way that we process, access and find information online. There are a lot of factors that influence these three points. I want to know more about how the user interfaces with the internet, how technology evolution influences the user process and how they react to ever changing and advancing resources online. Like one of the articles I read for this week said the evolution, design, timing and relevancy have a large impact on the user’s experiences and how they then make choices while online. It is by being increasingly innovative, present and easy to use that certain companies attract a lot of traffic. By putting a lot of administrative and everyday functions online companies cut costs and draw people to their website (Gallaugher 2007). This article also points out that global firms have never been built faster and at such a low cost, then when the internet was used (Gallaugher 2007). This article provided me with evidence to start proving my thesis.
I thought the article about how emotions influence user choices online brought an entirely new idea to the mix. What I am finding out is that there are clues to how people might change their thinking processes, but right now it seems hard to measure and pinpoint this adaptation of different behavior. A more realistic approach might be to look at outcomes of certain behaviors that can be measured, such as access, process and what is found on the internet based on the process. The idea that people’s emotions influence their navigation and user choices online is fascinating. The thought that user success of finding what they are looking for influences their user choices, has huge implications. Websites can be designed and focused to target user success and build user confidence of how people access information, what websites they go to and what information they process. An interesting study would use some sort of a rubric or way to measure user choices and what influences these choices. This article provided good information about what specifically might influence people to access, process and find what they are looking for. I feel like I am on my way to narrowing things down and I think the information that I am finding is really interesting.
For my research paper I am exploring how people have changed the way they process, access and find information on the internet as technology has evolved. Do people read online differently then in print? Do people use the internet different as technology evolves? Do people change their expectations of how they use the internet? Do people use different key words, web pages, and different kinds of search tools? Are they successful in finding the information they are looking for?
Refined thesis:
It is believed that by using the internet users have changed the way they process, access and find information to be more efficient.
Summary:
The article “Strategic positioning and resource-based thinking: cutting through the haze of punditry to understand factors behind sustainable, successful internet businesses” looks at three major factors in successful companies and their online interfaces and components. The article emphasizes the importance of not only implementing cutting edge technology and innovation, but doing so in a timely way. “During Yahoo’s period of search innovation dormancy, Google was able to leverage its technical lead to create brand, grow market share, and this generate scale,” (Gallaugher 2007). In addition to these key points an organization must have strategic and nimble interfaces both online and internally to make everything function at a high capacity and maintain market place value. The use of advertising, branding and taking action towards a strategic plan increased successful internet organizations. “Through advertising and most notably PR, Yahoo grabbed media attention ahead of its rivals,” (Gallaugher 2007).
The article “I’m Feeling Lucky”: The Role of Emotions in Seeking Information on the Web” looked at how individuals emotions affected their choices and actions when searching for information online. The way a website is set up visually and the experience an individual has when trying access information affects their future choices. Individuals may have increased or decreased confidence based on how successful they in accessing the information they need. How a webpage is set up can affect user success. For example; by having consistent looking links and clear verbal indicators users may have an easier time finding what they are looking for because they know what visual clues to engage. “Best practices in site search design, such as the BBC search results page, match the natural pattern of states users move through while seeking information. Manual recommendations also represent a best practice for site search because they can aid in reducing uncertainty,” (Kalbach 2006).
Discussion about how the two articles relate to my topic:
Doing this research has helped me refine what I am looking for even more than last week. I feel that I was able to narrow down my research and found some interesting articles that brought a different perspective to how the internet influences the way that we process, access and find information online. There are a lot of factors that influence these three points. I want to know more about how the user interfaces with the internet, how technology evolution influences the user process and how they react to ever changing and advancing resources online. Like one of the articles I read for this week said the evolution, design, timing and relevancy have a large impact on the user’s experiences and how they then make choices while online. It is by being increasingly innovative, present and easy to use that certain companies attract a lot of traffic. By putting a lot of administrative and everyday functions online companies cut costs and draw people to their website (Gallaugher 2007). This article also points out that global firms have never been built faster and at such a low cost, then when the internet was used (Gallaugher 2007). This article provided me with evidence to start proving my thesis.
I thought the article about how emotions influence user choices online brought an entirely new idea to the mix. What I am finding out is that there are clues to how people might change their thinking processes, but right now it seems hard to measure and pinpoint this adaptation of different behavior. A more realistic approach might be to look at outcomes of certain behaviors that can be measured, such as access, process and what is found on the internet based on the process. The idea that people’s emotions influence their navigation and user choices online is fascinating. The thought that user success of finding what they are looking for influences their user choices, has huge implications. Websites can be designed and focused to target user success and build user confidence of how people access information, what websites they go to and what information they process. An interesting study would use some sort of a rubric or way to measure user choices and what influences these choices. This article provided good information about what specifically might influence people to access, process and find what they are looking for. I feel like I am on my way to narrowing things down and I think the information that I am finding is really interesting.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Post 6
Refined topic:
For my research paper I am exploring how people have changed the way they process, access and find information on the internet as technology has evolved. Do people read online differently then in print? Do people use the internet different as technology evolves? Do people change their expectations of how they use the internet? Do people use different key words, web pages, and different kinds of search tools? Are they successful in finding the information they are looking for?
Refined thesis:
It is believed that by using the internet users have changed the way they process, access and find information.
Summary:
The article “Strategic positioning and resource-based thinking: cutting through the haze of punditry to understand factors behind sustainable, successful internet businesses” looks at three major factors in successful companies and their online interfaces and components. The article emphasizes the importance of not only implementing cutting edge technology and innovation, but doing so in a timely way. “During Yahoo’s period of search innovation dormancy, Google was able to leverage its technical lead to create brand, grow market share, and this generate scale,” (Gallaugher 2007). In addition to these key points an organization must have strategic and nimble interfaces both online and internally to make everything function at a high capacity and maintain market place value. The use of advertising, branding and taking action towards a strategic plan increased successful internet organizations. “Through advertising and most notably PR, Yahoo grabbed media attention ahead of its rivals,” (Gallaugher 2007).
The article “I’m Feeling Lucky”: The Role of Emotions in Seeking Information on the Web” looked at how individuals emotions affected their choices and actions when searching for information online. The way a website is set up visually and the experience an individual has when trying access information affects their future choices. Individuals may have increased or decreased confidence based on how successful they in accessing the information they need. How a webpage is set up can affect user success. For example; by having consistent looking links and clear verbal indicators users may have an easier time finding what they are looking for because they know what visual clues to engage. “Best practices in site search design, such as the BBC search results page, match the natural pattern of states users move through while seeking information. Manual recommendations also represent a best practice for site search because they can aid in reducing uncertainty,” (Kalbach 2006).
Discussion about how the two articles relate to my topic:
Similarly to last week, doing this research has helped me refine what I am looking for even more. I feel that I was able to narrow down my research and found some interesting articles that brought a different perspective to how the internet influences the way that we process, access and find information online. There are a lot of factors that influence these three points. I want to know more about how the user interfaces with the internet, how technology evolution influences the user process and how they react ever changing and advancing resources online. Like one of the articles I read for this week said the evolution, design, timing and relevancy have a large impact on the user’s experiences and how they then make choices while online. I thought the article about how emotions influence user choices online brought an entirely new idea to the mix. What I am finding out is that there are clues to how people might change their thinking processes but right now it seems hard to measure and pinpoint this adaptation of different behavior. A more realistic approach might be to look at outcomes of certain behaviors that can be measured, such as access, process and what is found on the internet based on the process and access. I feel like I am on my way to narrowing things down and I think the information that I am finding is really interesting.
For my research paper I am exploring how people have changed the way they process, access and find information on the internet as technology has evolved. Do people read online differently then in print? Do people use the internet different as technology evolves? Do people change their expectations of how they use the internet? Do people use different key words, web pages, and different kinds of search tools? Are they successful in finding the information they are looking for?
Refined thesis:
It is believed that by using the internet users have changed the way they process, access and find information.
Summary:
The article “Strategic positioning and resource-based thinking: cutting through the haze of punditry to understand factors behind sustainable, successful internet businesses” looks at three major factors in successful companies and their online interfaces and components. The article emphasizes the importance of not only implementing cutting edge technology and innovation, but doing so in a timely way. “During Yahoo’s period of search innovation dormancy, Google was able to leverage its technical lead to create brand, grow market share, and this generate scale,” (Gallaugher 2007). In addition to these key points an organization must have strategic and nimble interfaces both online and internally to make everything function at a high capacity and maintain market place value. The use of advertising, branding and taking action towards a strategic plan increased successful internet organizations. “Through advertising and most notably PR, Yahoo grabbed media attention ahead of its rivals,” (Gallaugher 2007).
The article “I’m Feeling Lucky”: The Role of Emotions in Seeking Information on the Web” looked at how individuals emotions affected their choices and actions when searching for information online. The way a website is set up visually and the experience an individual has when trying access information affects their future choices. Individuals may have increased or decreased confidence based on how successful they in accessing the information they need. How a webpage is set up can affect user success. For example; by having consistent looking links and clear verbal indicators users may have an easier time finding what they are looking for because they know what visual clues to engage. “Best practices in site search design, such as the BBC search results page, match the natural pattern of states users move through while seeking information. Manual recommendations also represent a best practice for site search because they can aid in reducing uncertainty,” (Kalbach 2006).
Discussion about how the two articles relate to my topic:
Similarly to last week, doing this research has helped me refine what I am looking for even more. I feel that I was able to narrow down my research and found some interesting articles that brought a different perspective to how the internet influences the way that we process, access and find information online. There are a lot of factors that influence these three points. I want to know more about how the user interfaces with the internet, how technology evolution influences the user process and how they react ever changing and advancing resources online. Like one of the articles I read for this week said the evolution, design, timing and relevancy have a large impact on the user’s experiences and how they then make choices while online. I thought the article about how emotions influence user choices online brought an entirely new idea to the mix. What I am finding out is that there are clues to how people might change their thinking processes but right now it seems hard to measure and pinpoint this adaptation of different behavior. A more realistic approach might be to look at outcomes of certain behaviors that can be measured, such as access, process and what is found on the internet based on the process and access. I feel like I am on my way to narrowing things down and I think the information that I am finding is really interesting.
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