Blog Users Research Articles

Relationship between Social Media and Academic Performance in Distance Education

The scope and method of imparting distance education to the learner has evolved over a period of time. Various models of distance education have been introduced over the years; the latest introduction is the use of Web 2.0 technologies to make distance learning more analytical, flexible, interactive, and collaborative for both the teacher and the taught. This research paper has assessed the purpose of usage of social media tools, specifically Facebook, Blogs, Google groups, SkyDrive and Twitter by the students for academic purposes. Further, the relationship between usage of Facebook and academic performance of students has been tested statistically. The study reveals that majority of the students access various social media tools for information sharing and personal interaction. The academic performance of the students is independent of the use of Facebook as a social media tool for academic purpose.

An Analysis of the Blog-User Attitude Employing Structural Equation Modeling Combine TAM and TPB Model

This paper examines key motivators for consumers attitude towards continuing the reception of existing blog services. Multiple theoretical perspectives are synthesized to hypothetically construct a model of continuance behavior, which is then empirically tested using a field survey of online blog users, and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) are the studys theoretical bases. The study uses Structure Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze users who have used blogs. The results indicated the blogs usefulness, ease to use, attitude, and subjective norm are positively affecting users behavior intention.

Blog user satisfaction: Gender differences in preferences and perception of visual design

The World Wide Web is now used by all generations and classes. In addition to fulfilling the Internet's broad purposes in society, interface designers increasingly recognize the importance of visual aesthetics and end-user preferences in improving user satisfaction. We investigated gender differences in blog user satisfaction. Participants were 268 undergraduate students. The results revealed no statistical difference according to gender in how information quality and navigation quality influenced the satisfaction of male and female participants. However, we found a gender-based difference in response according to visual stimulus: the more positive the attitude toward visual stimuli, the stronger the response to other components. Based on these findings, implications for blog design and satisfaction are discussed.

Analysis of the most frequented posts/comments on fertility lab insider blog reveals potential areas of improvement for patient counseling

Analysis of the most frequented posts/comments on fertility lab insider blog reveals potential areas of improvement for patient counseling

White stars and orange celebrities: the affective production of whiteness in humorous celebrity-gossip blogs

Bringing deconstructivist approaches of critical whiteness studies into dialogue with feminist writings on affect theory, this article asks how ideas about whiteness become produced and circulated through celebrity representations in humorous celebrity-gossip blogs. Through an affective reading of blog posts and user comments on the websites dlisted.com and perezhilton.com, I illustrate the ways in which celebrity online representations can be understood as affective interfaces through which ideas concerning idealised and ‘improper’ whiteness are negotiated. This article underscores the importance of understanding celebrity representations not only through the lens of ideology and discourse, but also through feelings, emotions and affect. Affects, together with the interactive, dynamic nature of blogs, encourage us to rethink these celebrity representations not as fixed images that mediate one dominant meaning – and in this sense which simply reiterate or challenge dominant ideas about whiteness – but rather as relational becomings that have the power to move us in sometimes contradictory and surprising ways.

A motivational model of blog usage

PurposeThere has been an explosive growth of blog usage recently. However, little research has explored the forces motivating people to engage in blog activities. The purpose of this paper is to suggest that the driving forces to engage in blog participation not only includes utilitarian motivation (i.e. perceived usefulness) and hedonic motivation (i.e. perceived playfulness) but also habitual behaviour and social identity (blog identification). The quality of the blog is included as an antecedent to perceived usefulness and perceived playfulness.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 225 valid questionnaires were collected from blog users. Structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypothesis.FindingsThe results show that blog users' intentions to participate in blogs are determined by all four key drivers: habit, perceived playfulness, blog identification, and perceived usefulness. Blog quality has an effect on perceived usefulness and perceived playfulness.Research limitations/implicationsPrevious studies emphasise the importance of perceived usefulness as the key determinant for user acceptance of technology. However, in the blog context this study finds habit, perceived playfulness, and blog identification have more significant effects on users' intention than perceived usefulness.Practical implicationsBlog hosts should encourage habitual blog usage (habit), pay more attention to the hedonic nature of the blog (perceived playfulness) and establish a stronger sense of blog identification among participants, in order to retain active users.Originality/valueThis study articulates and empirically validates a motivational research model of blog usage, helping researchers to better understand such behaviour.

A Study on the Effect of Blog Characteristics on Satisfaction and Word- Of-Mouth Intention - Focusing on the Moderating Effect of Consumer Knowledge -

Blog has been as influential as TV and radio as a source of information in the speed of information spread, as well as the diversity of information and the quality of content. Once people recognize the importance of blog as a means of personal and day-to-day communication, there have been various studies on motivation of blog user, their using patterns, the ways of information delivery and sharing, the activity of the specific group and the effects on satisfaction with blog and word-of-mouth. Previous studies on blog were usually to investigate the fragmentary relationship. However, we derived new factor of blog characteristics and examined how it can affect satisfaction and word of mouth intention. Accordingly, we researched domestic and foreign theses, journal papers, books, research reports and established hypothesis and finally derived the results through the verification of the hypothesis after performing empirical research to achieve the purpose of the study. The implications of this study drawn from major issues are as follows. First, previous studies on the use of blog were macroscopic approaches which were related to satisfaction and word-of-mouth intention but you could also see the details by using factor analysis and multiple regression analysis in this paper. Second, fame of blog shows the least effect on satisfaction so the influence of power bloggers has been reduced. Third, The increasing user's satisfaction with blog is the way to increase the word-of-mouth intention in that satisfaction and word-of-mouth intention typically occurs sequentially with time. Fourth, companies need to regard online word-of-mouth information which is created by consumers as a competitive factor of more differentiated internet site. It is asked to subdivide and customize the range and scope of word-of-mouth information to improve the interaction with customers. Fifth, operating blog focusing on contents and interaction is an effective ways of wordof-mouth marketing and it is also recommended to use power bloggers.

The effects of perceived relevance of travel blogs’ content on the behavioral intention to visit a tourist destination

The tourism industry is characterized by ever-increasing competition, causing destinations to seek new methods to attract tourists. Traditionally, a decision to visit a destination is interpreted, in part, as a rational calculation of the costs/benefits of a set of alternative destinations, which were derived from external information sources, including e-WOM (word-of-mouth) or travelers’ blogs. There are numerous travel blogs available for people to share and learn about travel experiences. Evidence shows, however, that not every blog exerts the same degree of influence on tourists. Therefore, which characteristics of these travel blogs attract tourists’ attention and influence their decisions, becomes an interesting research question. Based on the concept of information relevance, a model is proposed for interrelating various attributes specific to blog’s content and perceived enjoyment, an intrinsic motivation of information systems usage, to mitigate the above-mentioned gap. Results show that novelty, understandability, and interest of blogs’ content affect behavioral intention through blog usage enjoyment. Finally, theoretical and practical implications are proposed.

Continuance intention of blog users: the impact of perceived enjoyment, habit, user involvement and blogging time

The purpose of this study is to understand factors that affect continuance intention of a popular hedonic information system, blogs. The expectation-confirmation theory (ECT) is adapted with perceived enjoyment, habit and user involvement. Data was collected via an online survey. A total of 430 valid responses were collected. The research model was assessed by structural equation modelling (SEM). The results show that continuance intention of blog use was predicted collectively by user involvement, satisfaction and perceived enjoyment. Habit, however, exhibited no strong relationship with satisfaction and use intention. Users' satisfaction with blog use was predicted primarily by perceived enjoyment, followed by users' confirmation of expectation and user involvement. Perceived enjoyment was predicted by users' involvement and users' confirmation of expectation. Blogging time significantly moderates the effect of habit on perceived enjoyment, but not on satisfaction and continuance intention. The integrated model explains 65% of the satisfaction and 57% of continuance intention. The results suggest that integrating perceived enjoyment and user involvement into the ECT provides better insights into continuous use in the blog context.

Acceptance of enterprise blog for service industry

PurposeThe rapid growth of blogs over the Internet has gradually attracted the attention of enterprises that want to engage in business and develop their online communication channels for customer relationships. The study aims to develop and examine the determinants of enterprise blog (E‐Blog) adoption for the service industry. Organization size is used as a moderating factor to disclose its influence on the effects of the variables.Design/methodology/approachThe research model of the empirical study integrates three composites: social exchange theory, innovation diffusion theory, and organization dynamics. For the results, data are analyzed by using factor analysis to derive the actual composites and structural equation model to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe main results show the following findings. First, social exchange via E‐Blog fosters enterprise reputation. Second, enterprises are doubtful whether they can build online relationships via E‐Blog with their customers and E‐Blog visitors. Third, virtual trust and the unknown virtual social structure are barriers for enterprises in using E‐Blog. Fourth, E‐Blog adopters are likely to be purpose‐sensitive as the numbers of blog type increase.Practical implicationsThe research findings reveal that E‐Blog vendors and agents should emphasize reputation development to attract the attention of their customers (enterprises). In addition, small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises prefer the relative advantages and simplicity of E‐Blogging. In contrast, large enterprises are more concerned with competition pressure and market dynamics involved in the adoption attitude. These findings would be useful for E‐Blog service providers to analyze the requirements of their customers. In addition, E‐Blog vendors and agents should persuade enterprises adopting E‐Blog to ease competition pressure, particularly for large firms who have not adopted the technology. Finally, E‐Blog platforms and vendors should emphasize that E‐Blog can help increase reputation by attracting the attention of enterprises to adopt E‐Blogging.Originality/valueIn the virtual socialization process, the blog has been developing its own characteristics that are linked to social behaviour. This link explains social change and stability in cyberspace from the social psychology and sociology points of view. The research findings differ from those of previous research because early studies focused on individual Internet user blog participation without placing emphasis on the adoption intention of enterprises. The findings of this study will be helpful for both E‐Blog service providers and enterprises.

Developing Students As Global Learners

This case study investigates the use of online blogs as a teaching tool. A collaborative blog was implemented in parallel classes on group processes in the United States and Germany. Our goal was to connect American and German graduate students by helping them to talk about group communication and meeting behaviors. Collected data included transcripts of the messages, as well as students’ evaluations of the blog (collected at the end of the project). Quantitative analyses assessed students’ participation rates and the content of their postings. Qualitative analysis examined the use of the blog as a teaching and learning tool. The results showed that students interacted more on the blog than was required by the instructor. Students valued blogging as a new learning experience. We discuss the pedagogical implications of blog usage for teaching about groups and provide recommendations for instructors interested in using blogs in their own courses.

Sociability and Support in Online Eating Disorder Communities: Evidence from Personal Networks

We study how people select their social support ties from their broader personal networks, taking into account the interplay of web-based and face-to-face interactions. Focus is on users of websites, blogs and forums on eating disorders, often dubbed 'pro-ana' and 'pro-mia'. Despite widespread fears that they contribute to maintaining and spreading these disorders, these sites may also channel mutual assistance, advice, and psychological and emotional support, with ultimate benefits for health.We use data from an online survey of users of French- and English-language ‘ana-mia’ websites, providing information on the composition and structure of their personal networks both online and face-to-face, and their health-related support networks, for two types of health issues. We find that different health-related needs call for different types of support, which can be accessed from different parts of one’s personal network; specifically, online groups provide distinctive sources of help. To an extent, participation in web-based eating disorder communities compensates for perceived shortcomings in healthcare services, though members do not overwhelmingly reject standard health systems and norms. Web-based groups thus appear as an important element in the understanding of social support, and a potential resource for enhanced public health services provision.

Why do we blog? From the perspectives of technology acceptance and media choice factors

Blogs, or weblogs, have rapidly grown in recent years. Blogs are easy to use, possess interactive features and attract widespread use, leading them to be recognised as a communication medium in web-based information technology. However, why do so many people use blogs? The purpose of this study is to incorporate the technology acceptance model (TAM) with media choice factors to explain and predict blog acceptance behaviours. The media choice factors include media richness, critical mass, social influence (SI) and media experience (ME). This study conducted an online field survey and applied the structure equation modelling method to investigate the empirical strength of the relationships in the proposed model. In this study, 521 experienced blog users were surveyed to examine this model. The results strongly support the proposed hypotheses, indicating that technology acceptance and media choice factors influence blog acceptance behaviours. This article provides implications and recommendations resulting from the study.

Extracting news blog hot topics based on the W2T Methodology

Although topic detection and tracking techniques have made great progress, most of the researchers seldom pay more attention to the following two aspects. First, the construction of a topic model does not take the characteristics of different topics into consideration. Second, the factors that determine the formation and development of hot topics are not further analyzed. In order to correctly extract news blog hot topics, the paper views the above problems in a new perspective based on the W2T (Wisdom Web of Things) methodology, in which the characteristics of blog users, context of topic propagation and information granularity are investigated in a unified way. The motivations and features of blog users are first analyzed to understand the characteristics of news blog topics. Then the context of topic propagation is decomposed into the blog community, topic network and opinion network, respectively. Some important factors such as the user behavior pattern, opinion leader and network opinion are identified to track the development trends of news blog topics. Moreover, a blog hot topic detection algorithm is proposed, in which news blog hot topics are identified by measuring the duration, topic novelty, attention degree of users and topic growth. Experimental results show that the proposed method is feasible and effective. These results are also useful for further studying the formation mechanism of opinion leaders in blogspace.

The Antecedents and Consequences of Blogging Behavior

The rapid growth of weblog (blog) services has induced Internet users to share their feelings and information via blogs. Few researchers are currently investigating why people blog. In this study, we explored the antecedents and consequences of blogging behaviors. We collected 613 valid responses to an online survey from blog users. Factor analysis was conducted to confirm 3 antecedents of using blogs as social motivations, goal orientation, and entertainment orientation. We identified 3 key blogging behaviors of basic journaling, more advanced publishing, and interactive feedback. Social and information return were identified as the 2 major effects of blogging behaviors. The results of structural equation modeling showed that social motivations and entertainment orientation had significant impacts on all 3 blogging behaviors and goal orientation positively influenced advanced publishing and interactive feedback. Implications and limitations are discussed.

Generational differences in content generation in social media: The roles of the gratifications sought and of narcissism

This study examines the roles of the gratifications sought and of narcissism in content generation in social media and explores the generational differences in motivations and in narcissistic personalities when predicting the usage of Facebook, blogs, and forums. Data were gathered from a probability sample of 596 social media users through a telephone survey in 2010. Factor analysis results showed that content generation using social media was satisfying five socio-psychological needs: showing affection, venting negative feelings, gaining recognition, getting entertainment, and fulfilling cognitive needs. In particular, people who used social media to meet their social needs and their need for affection tended to use Facebook and blogs. In contrast, when users wanted to air out discontent, they often turned to forums. Results also showed that exhibitionists seemed to use social media to show affection, express their negative feelings, and achieve recognition. The study found no generational differences in using Facebook and blogs as a means to satisfy social needs or the need for affection. However, differences in patterns of social media usage were found among Baby Boomers with different narcissistic personalities. The paper includes a discussion of the study’s limitations and suggestions for future research.

The effects of blogger recommendations on customers’ online shopping intentions

PurposeBlogging has become part of a consumer's decision making process when shopping online; however, the understanding of blog recommendation's effect on consumer purchase decision is still vague. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the blog reader's trusting belief in the blogger is significant in relation to the perceived usefulness of the blogger's recommendations; and how the blog reader's perceptions influence his/her attitude and purchasing behavior online. The moderating effect of blogger's reputation on readers’ purchasing intentions is also tested.Design/methodology/approachBased on various theories, a model was proposed in this study. A survey involving 327 blog readers as participants was analyzed in the empirical study to investigate whether the usefulness of bloggers’ recommendations and trusting beliefs toward blogger had influence on consumers’ attitudes and behavioral intentions toward online shopping.FindingsThe results indicated that perceived usefulness of bloggers’ recommendations and trust had significant influential effect on blog users’ attitude towards and intention to shop online. Moreover, the findings showed that different determinants affected the users of perceived‐high‐reputation and perceived‐low‐reputation blogs.Originality/valueThe findings suggest bloggers’ electronic word‐of‐mouth (eWOM) to be a promising marketing strategy for increasing sales. The marketers should provide free trial products and services to the perceived‐high‐reputation bloggers who, as valued opinion leaders, will influence and prompt others to shop online through a trusting effect. As for perceived‐low‐reputation bloggers, the marketing strategists should strive to emphasize the usefulness of products and services being marketed, so these perceived‐low‐reputation bloggers can focus more on describing the advantages and benefits of products or services discussed in their blogs.

Skateboarding Women

This article reconsiders the Skirtboarders’ blog, produced by a crew of female skateboarders, as a space where crew members attempt to reflexively start a movement and, in doing so, construct and circulate a wider collective identity (Taylor & Whittier, 1992). Through a discourse analysis of blog comments and user interviews, we attempt to understand how young women who visit the blog interpret (re)presentations of female skateboarders and whether they become engaged in the movement to promote skateboarding among women. Do they adopt this collective subjectivity? While the analysis suggests that they do feel part of the movement, it raises the issue of blog user access to the more specific “Skirtboarder” identity.

Effet de la précontrainte des transplants dans la reconstruction du ligament croisé antérieur, une étude en microscopie électronique à balayage

Recently there has been much interest in electronic commerce applications that use data mining techniques to explore datasets in the social media context. However, most of the applications have already been developed in an ad hoc manner, mainly, due to the lack of adequate tools, yielding difficulties in customizing applications and requesting high time consuming for constructing and maintaining these applications. This work addresses these problems and proposes a software framework for building Web mining applications in the blog world. The architecture of the proposed framework combines the use of blog crawling and data mining algorithms, in order to provide a complete and flexible solution for building general-purpose Web mining applications. The framework flexibility allows some important customizations, such as the construction of adapters for reading text from different blogs, and the use of different pre-processing techniques and data mining algorithms. In order to improve the efficacy of information extraction from blogs, ontology is used in the blog’s description. For this, there are software agents responsible for tracking and indexing blogs related to a specific tag and for mining blog datasets. Moreover, web services are used for encapsulating existing tools and maximize reuse.This framework has been instantiated in order to be applied for helping the blog users to effectively find out relevant information in the blog world. The focus of this paper is on describing the novel software architecture of the general framework (blog crawling and data mining) providing detailed information about the data mining sub-framework, which uses the semantic web services technology for automating service composition and consists on the main research contribution. A case study of an e-commerce application for analyzing the user’s sentiment regarding specific products is reported and its results considers the effort reduction when creating a web mining application by using the proposed integrated frameworks and existing data mining tools, as well as a qualitative analysis related to quality aspects of the developed application, such as the evolution impact.

Gratification Opportunities, Self-Esteem, and Loneliness in Determining Usage Preference of BBS and Blogs Among Teenagers in China

Results from a convenient sample of 301 teenagers found three gratification opportunities for bulletin board systems (BBS; synchroneity, personalization, and circulation) and four gratification opportunities for web logs (blogs; multifunction, stability, circulation, and message management). Discriminant analysis showed that blog users placed more value on the ability of being able to personalize content and to be easily accessible by a group of known friends and interested visitors, whereas BBS users preferred the open, diverse, and larger audience size of BBS for debate and discussion. Data supported the idea that those who scored low in self-esteem tended to be heavy bloggers, whereas loneliness had no effect on preference and level of use. In short, this study further strengthens the notion that it is the attributes of media or the gratification opportunities, rather than the attributes of users, that help explain the level and preference of computer-mediated communication use.