Showing papers in "Information Research: An International Electronic Journal in 2020"

Leading factors that explain engagement in closed Facebook groups

Abstract: Introduction. Facebook groups are a popular way to communicate and exchange information. This is reinforced when membership of the particular group forms an important part of that member’s identity. Method. The authors joined closed Facebook groups and studied the factors that enhance engagement from within. This study used a mixed method: 1) the level of engagement in closed Facebook groups was coded for 274 group members over a two-month period: the number of posts, comments and ‘likes’ were counted for each participant; 2) an online survey was answered by these participants, containing demographic questions, a group importance questionnaire, an offline activity measure and a Big5 personality questionnaire. Analysis. The data were collected into Excel, with a sheet for each participant, and then transferred to SPSS for statistical analyses. Results. There is a positive relationships between engagement, group importance, and offline activity. Women and stable, older participants tended to engage more in group discussions. A partial, positive relationship between extroversion and engagement was found. Conclusion. The findings give groups’ managers and members tools to enhance higher engagement in Facebook groups, which may sustain the online community as a dynamic social group, where all members have equal rights to engage.

Development of online travel Web scraping for tourism statistics in Indonesia

Abstract: Introduction. This research aims to study a novel approach to producing tourism statistics, especially accommodation statistics, in Indonesia using scraping of online travel agent Websites. Method. Accommodation data (e.g., room availability and price) were gathered from two of the largest online travel agencies in Indonesia. All data were collected automatically from the sites’ URLs listed in the sitemap. Analysis. The data were collected daily from 6 March to 27 July 2019. Datasets from the two Websites were merged. The room occupation rate (ROR) for each province was calculated and compared with the official statistics from Statistics Indonesia. Results. The results show that the online room occupancy rates and official statistics have a similar pattern indicating the use of the Web scraping technique provides valuable information, to measure the room occupation rate with an advantage in terms of cost and collection time. Conclusions. It is feasible to use big data as a proxy of or a complement to official statistics, especially in tourism statistics. By using the Web scraping technique, the indicator that usually requires significant time and cost can be done in real-time and less cost. This new approach would improve the quality of tourism statistics produced by BPS Statistics Indonesia.

Dialogue processes in online information seeking and sharing: a study of an asynchronous discussion group

Abstract: Introduction. This study elaborates the picture of dialogical information interaction by examining asynchronous dialogue processes constitutive of information seeking and sharing in online forums. Method. Descriptive quantitative analysis and qualitative content analysis of fifty discussion threads with 1326 messages downloaded from Google Groups uk.d-i-y forum. Analysis. To examine the dialogue processes, eleven categories of dialogue acts were defined. These acts include, for example, initial fact question, initial opinion answer, specifying opinion question, complementary fact answer and disagreement. Based on the temporally sensitive nature of such acts, the dialogue process was approached in two phases: initiation and elaboration. Results. The dialogue process at the initiation phase occurs in two ways: responding the initial question, and clarifying the initial question before answering. The elaboration phase is based on a more complex interplay of specifying questions, complementary answers, as well as answer agreements and disagreements. Due to this characteristic, the degree of dialogicality is higher at the elaboration phase. Conclusions. Dialogue is a fundamental constituent of information interaction. Due to its protean nature, the dynamics of asynchronous dialogue processes are difficult to capture in detail. The empirical research settings may be elaborated further by drawing on the potential of novel methods such as digital conversation analysis.

Talking to imagined citizens? Information sharing practices and proxies for e-participation in hyperlocal democratic settings

Abstract: Introduction. Prior research in Information Science often uses constructs from Social Exchange Theory to explain online information sharing. Exchange theories have a strong focus on reciprocity, yet in some communities, such as elected democratic representatives at hyperlocal level, it is observed that information is shared online for little visible return. This raises questions as to the extent to which existing models of online information sharing based on the tenets of exchange are applicable across a full range of contexts. In the case of hyperlocal representatives, this also prompts consideration of their motivations for online information sharing, and their response to apparent non-participation or ‘lurking’ in this process on the part of citizens. In this paper an information sharing practice-based approach is deployed to explore the means by which hyperlocal representatives in Scotland handle their information sharing role and address their relationship with their online ‘lurker’ audiences. Method. Hour long interviews were conducted in November and December 2016 with 19 representatives who serve on Scottish community councils. Analysis. Qualitative analysis of the interview data generated the results of the study. Results. Information sharing is regarded as an important duty of community councillors. It is largely practised as transmission or broadcast (rather than exchange) using a variety of channels, both online and face-to-face. Such efforts are, however, limited. This is due to restricted resources, a lack of familiarity with the information users (and non-users) that community councillors serve, and poor knowledge of tools for analysing online audiences. Attitudes towards online communities that largely comprise lurker audiences vary from frustration to resignation. Conclusions. While some of the findings articulate with extant knowledge and extend it further, others contradict the results of prior research, for example on online platforms as deliberative spaces. The practice-based approach as deployed in the study surfaces new contributions on proxies in information sharing. Amongst these, it adds to prior work on information seeking by proxy, and introduces the concept of information sharing by proxy.

To share or not to share : an explorative study of health information non-sharing behaviour among Flemish adults aged fifty and over

Abstract: Introduction: This study explores health information non-sharing behaviour in everyday social settings and interactions. The novelty and relevance of the study lies in the fact that it explores a common yet understudied information behaviour, as very few studies have examined information non-sharing. Method: Forty qualitative in-depth interviews were held in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking northern part of Belgium, with adults between the ages of fifty and eighty. Analysis: A contextual framework was drawn from information studies and health information and communication research, consisting of the concepts of health orientation, information avoidance, uncertainty management, to help understand health information non-sharing. Thematic analysis was employed to identify reasons for non-sharing behaviour. Results: Seven key themes or reasons emerge for health information non-sharing behaviour; health as a non-topic, avoid being labelled as ill, individual responsibility, avoid burdening others, lack of trust in others, lack of trust in the internet, and avoiding information overload. Conclusions: This study is not only more nuanced than earlier work on sharing behaviour, but also leads to new questions about outcomes of health information non-sharing. The findings further illuminate'non-information behaviour' within information studies, while also offering insights relevant to health communication researchers and healthcare practitioners.

Understanding user satisfaction with Chinese government social media platforms

Abstract: Introduction. The purpose of this paper is to understand government social media from the perspective of user satisfaction and to evaluate it in the context of presentation, content and utility of the government affairs' microblogs in China. Method. Based on the comprehensive information theory, this study will generalise descriptions about the factors affecting the user satisfaction in the existing research. Analysis. Taking Chinese government affairs microblogs as examples, the paper utilises structural equation modelling to analyse an online survey study. Results. Its result indicates that presentation, content and utility have a positive influence on user satisfaction with Chinese government social media platforms. Conclusions. This study gets rid of the oversimplified description of the application of government social media, and could provide policy reference for subsequent adoption strategies of government social media.

Mixed methods data collection using simulated Google results: reflections on the methods of a point-of-selection behaviour study

Abstract: Introduction. A multi-institutional, grant-funded project employed mixed methods to study 175 fourth-grade through graduate school students’ point-of-selection behaviour. The method features the use of simulated search engine results pages to facilitate data collection. Method. Student participants used simulated Google results pages to select resources for a hypothetical school project. Quantitative data on participants’ selection behaviour and qualitative data from their think-aloud protocols were collected. A questionnaire and interviews were used to collect data on participants’ backgrounds and online research experiences. Analysis. This paper reflects on the data collection methods and highlights opportunities for data analysis. The ability to analyse data both qualitatively and quantitatively increases the rigor and depth of findings. Results. The simulation created a realistic yet controlled environment that ensures the comparability of data within and across a wide range of educational stages. Combining data on participants’ behaviour, thoughts and characteristics provides a more complete picture of factors influencing online resource selection. Conclusions. Using simulated results pages in combination with multiple data collection methods enables analyses that create deeper knowledge of participants' information behaviour. Such a complicated research design requires extensive time, expertise and coordination to execute.

A cross-discipline comparison of subject guides and resource discovery tools

Abstract: Introduction. Academic libraries invest considerable resources in creating disciplinary subject guides, but patron use of such guides is rarely quantified in the literature. We analyse access data for subject guides and other electronic resource discovery tools to investigate disciplinary differences in resource discovery behaviour. Method. We analysed access data for resource discovery tools and subject guides that was collected over five weeks in the first term of the academic year at a public teaching and research university. Analysis. We analysed unique page views for subject guides, then calculated and compared access to electronic resources originating from the following resource discovery tools: Summon, subject guides, Google Scholar, and the database index. Results. Disciplines with high unique page views for subject guides were more likely to use subject guides or specific databases for resource discovery, while disciplines with low subject guide unique page views were more likely to use Summon or Google Scholar for resource discovery. Conclusions. The low unique page views for most guides suggests providing guides for all disciplines may not be an effective method for supporting students in resource discovery. This study also indicates a need for subject guide use to be evaluated in relation to other resource discovery tools.