The Evaluation of Web Contents by User 'Likes' Count: An Usefulness of hT-index for Topic Preference Measurement

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to suggest an appropriate index for evaluating preferences of Web contents by examining the h-index and its variants. It focuses on how successfully each index represents relative user preference towards topical subjects. Based on data obtained from a popular IT blog (engadget.com), subject values of the h-index and its variants were calculated using 53 subject categories, article counts and the ‘Likes’ counts aggregated in each category. These values were compared through critical analysis of the indices and Spearman rank correlation analysis. A PFNet (Pathfinder Network) of subjects weighted by hT values was drawn and cluster analysis was conducted. Based on the four criteria suggested for the evaluation of Web contents, we concluded that the hT-index is a relatively appropriate tool for the Web contents preference evaluation. The hT-index was applied to visually represent the relative weight (topic preference by user ‘Likes’ count) for each subject category of the real online contents after suggesting the relative appropriateness of the hT-index. Applying scientometric indicators to Web information could provide new insights into, and potential methods for, Web contents evaluation. In addition, information on the focus of users’ attention would help online informants to plan more effective content strategies. The study tries to expand the application area of the h-type indices to non-academic online environments. The research procedure enables examination of the appropriateness of the index and highlights considerations for applying the indicators to Web contents.