Researchers peep into the bloggers' world
Blogging is the latest fad on the web. And for the first time, researchers have peeped into the wonderful world of bloggers.
By PTI |
NEW YORK: Blogging is the latest fad on the web. And for the first time, researchers have peeped into the wonderful world of bloggers.
Previous studies about blogs typically have centred on blog writers, largely overlooking those who log online to read, comment and participate.
Now, the researchers from the University of California have provided new insight into blog readers' online habits and experiences, as well as how they perceive their roles in the blog-based communities.
According to lead researcher Eric Baumer, a better understanding of the reader-blogger connection could lead to new, advanced features that would enable richer interactions between the two groups.
In their study, the researchers examined in-depth the blog-reading habits of a group of 15 participants of various ages to determine how they consume content and interact with blogs and blog writers.
They found that some readers frequently post comments, while in others "lurk", or visit without commenting.
In fact, readers have diverse opinions of what makes a blog a blog. Though academic definitions refer to blogs as frequently modified web pages with dated entries in reverse chronological order, the participants identified a variety of characteristics in what they considered to be blogs.
These included both technical aspects like Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds and trackback links, as well as social aspects, including the presence of conversation or personal content.
Previous studies about blogs typically have centred on blog writers, largely overlooking those who log online to read, comment and participate.
Now, the researchers from the University of California have provided new insight into blog readers' online habits and experiences, as well as how they perceive their roles in the blog-based communities.
According to lead researcher Eric Baumer, a better understanding of the reader-blogger connection could lead to new, advanced features that would enable richer interactions between the two groups.
In their study, the researchers examined in-depth the blog-reading habits of a group of 15 participants of various ages to determine how they consume content and interact with blogs and blog writers.
They found that some readers frequently post comments, while in others "lurk", or visit without commenting.
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In fact, readers have diverse opinions of what makes a blog a blog. Though academic definitions refer to blogs as frequently modified web pages with dated entries in reverse chronological order, the participants identified a variety of characteristics in what they considered to be blogs.
These included both technical aspects like Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds and trackback links, as well as social aspects, including the presence of conversation or personal content.
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