Learning Portfolio 4 – (Week 13)
June 4, 2009Credibility and the World Wide Web
Websites are often constructed in a way that is used to persuade the thoughts and opinions of the viewer.
Assessing whether or not a website is creditable means researching the page and discovering whether or not the information provided is fact or fictional and also wther or not the sources of the information are viable and are likely to be creditable sources of information. (Nicholls.edu)
B.J Fogg , Ph.D of Stanford University reserached the issue of credibility of websites with his presentation “What makes a website creditable.” his 65 page presentation explores the elements behind creating a creditable website, understanding what a creditable website is, and also introducing the issue. (Fogg, pgs 1-4, 2006)
In order to establish whether or not a website is creditable, a reader must establish whether or not the website obtains information that is creditable, the authors are well known and also provide informtation that is viable.
As a student, how viable or creditable a website is, is extremely important when completely essays and assignments as it allows me to feel comfortable with the information I am providing in my work, and also allows me to feel confident with the work i am submitting as it is creditable by well known and viable authors and sources .
WIKIPEDIA
What is Wikipedia?
Wikipedia is a free-content online encyclopedia, that is available to edit by anyone. Its aim is to allow individuals to be knowledgable in all that they seek to know.
The reason behind wikipedia not being creditable in university assignments is due to the fact that wikipedia can be altered by members of the public. This means that although wikipedia can be accessed by proffessors and authors and their informatrion can be added to subjects and pages, it is also available to members of the public whom can add their own information and understanding on certain issues and subjects.
As a student myself, some things on wikipedia do appear to be creditable, yet the fact that it is able to be edited by any person(s) makes it harder to beleive and also is not a viable source of information.
Fogg’s Studies (1999-2002) Anticipated issues that may affect the users’ perceived Web credibility in future.
- Credibility is the believability of a website. With time, the information provided to websites will becme even more bias and will not be as credible.
- Sources will become less educated and websites will most likely become more like Wikipedia, and will be able to be edited by memebers of the general public.
- Levels of expertise behind answers on websites will decrease over the years, with less educated answers being provided.
- Websites will be vastly created and often will have information provided said to from credible sources, yet they may not be.
REFERENCES
Assessing Credibility of Websites. Retrieved on 31 May, 2009, From http://www.nicholls.edu/pt3/Hurricane/website_credibility.htm
Foggs, B.J. (2006) Web Credibility. Retrieved on 31 May, 2009, from http://www.slideshare.net/bjfogg/web-credibility-bj-fogg-stanford-university
Foggs, B.J. (2003). Persuasive Technology: Using Computers(pp. 122‐125). Amsterdam: Morgan KaufmannPersuasive Technology: Using Computers(pp. 147‐181). Amsterdam: Morgan Kaufmann
Fogg, B. J. (2003). Credibility and the World Wide Web. In Persuasive Technology. Using Computers to Change What We Think and Do (pg 122-125) Amsterdam: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.
ACTIVITY
Brochure (Assignment 1)
Pages 1 & 2
Pages 3 & 4
Pages 5 & 6
Assignment 2 -
Slideshow
Class Activities
Caricature:
Web Homepage Activity
homepage
Having studied persuasive technology for several years, I agree with many of the author’s assertions. In fact, the research underlying academic papers is becoming incestuous in many cases. Each author searches the web for resources. Since they are all searching the same web, and by extension the same publications ans studies, they are all using the same underlying information. Once they publish their results, they become yet another source on the web — a source that was based on other web sources. And round and round it goes!