Building identity in online environments: An information science perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe research presented in this poster is concerned with the ways in which people use information to build identities for themselves online with reference to the themes of personal reputation management. To date these two themes have been under‐explored together in the research literature, both in general and from an information science perspective. The poster content shares findings related to three areas of identity building: (1) the creation and use of online personas and identities; (2) the use of anonymity and pseudonyms through information sharing – or concealment – practices; and (3) the blurring or merging together of participants’ private and professional selves. This study used participant diaries and in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with 45 UK‐based participants. The main finding presented here is that individuals present elements of their online persona or personality using online information, but that they do not do so with the intention of building identity. The findings explored in this presentation are contextualised with reference to identity building in the more formal setting of academic reputation management, i.e., through the use of citations.