The Blogging Brigade

Why do people blog? This question has been posted on blog-related websites and has been the topic of discussions and theme of many blog entries. However, the exact motive behind blogging remains elusive. And so, the hunt for the answer to this question continues.

Dan Li (http://blog.lidan.net) is a second-year graduate student of mass communication at the College of Communication, Marquette University, Milwaukee. He has conducted a pilot study on “Blogging motives, uses and gratifications” with the assistance of his professor, Dr Robert Griffin. This scribe got hold of his study through the “Bloggers” community on Orkut (http://www.orkut.com), where bloggers from around the world were invited to fill out a detailed questionnaire, which, among other things, asks you to specify the number of blogs one has and the frequency of updates, etc. Participants were also asked to explain why they blog and that question had around 113 different options — one could select as many as were applicable.

The results were pretty interesting. But as there were only 75 respondents, it’s hard to say if they apply to all bloggers. Nevertheless, they make for some interesting observations of blogging trends.

For instance, results of the study showed that:

— 31 per cent of bloggers use their real name on blogs, while 69 per cent use an alias.

— 45 per cent have put up a photograph of themselves on their blog.

— 98.67 per cent bloggers allowed readers to comment.

— 44 per cent used trackback.

— 84 per cent of the respondents leave their emails on blogs.

— 45.3 per cent use guest books.

— 2.7 per cent use shoutboxes.

— 5.3 per cent don’t provide contact information on blogs.

Regarding the content of the blog, most respondents’ entries covered personal experience only, while others expanded the range of issues they wrote about, such as news, political issues, technology, hobbies, professions, academics and entertainment.

This writer got in touch with the student behind the study. When asked why he chose this topic for his study, Li said, “I am personally interested in the interaction of people and the internet. I first learned about blogs from http://blog.cnblog.org/, a community blog maintained by a group of people who introduced the concept in China. The more I go into the blogosphere, the more I want to delve into it from the perspective of communication. Compared to other forms of computer-mediated communication such as instant messengers, BBS, IRC, the concept of blog fits better into the definition of mass communication.” Li feels that blogs are a challenging subject and it is perhaps for this reason that not many studies have been conducted on the subject. “I believe studies on blog would be a key branch in the realm of computer-mediated communication but some fundamental studies are needed to pave the road for the future research. I want to be in the camp of explorers and apply what I learn in class into the real world. That’s why I did the survey on the topic,” he adds.

According to Li, there are five basic reasons why more and more people are choosing to blog — self-expression, storage of information, interpersonal communication, technical convenience and practical reasons. “Blogs are exclusive personal columns to publish ideas and comment on news. Theoretically, an average person can have his/her voice heard by millions of people and that doesn’t cost a lot.” Then there are others who use blogs to tell friends and families about their lives, especially when they are away from family. Li feels the “built-in functions like comments and trackbacks make blogs more resemble call-in radio shows. Bloggers broadcast like emcees and audiences have the options to comment on certain topics and have a conversation with emcees. Furthermore, some people blog to practice writing; some do it to make some money; and some use it to organize thoughts.”

Interestingly enough, Li’s study hardly included group and website blogs into account. “I do notice the rise of community blogs and think they would promote a sense of community among bloggers. However, I deliberately avoided such blogs in my survey in consideration of the operalization of my research. I hypothesize that bloggers from group blogs would be different from those maintaining single blogs in terms of motivations and would expect studies conducted from the perspective of organizational communication,” he said, when asked about this phenomenon.

So there you have it — another attempt to define the motives and uses of blogging. It remains to be seen whether or not there will be similar studies in future. But the fact that these studies are being carried out reflects the increasing importance of studying the trends in the blogosphere, along with maintaining one’s own blog.

Mean Std. deviation

Because it is fun 4.04 .796

Because I just want to do it 4.04 .667

I can write things at my own pace 4.07 .777

To record my thoughts and opinions 4.04 .706

To find someone of similar interests 3.32 1.029

4: Agree 5: Strongly Agree

Webwatch

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http://www.mediabrains.com/client/chemcyclop/BG1/search.asp

This website has totally eliminated the need to spend hours in the library, laboriously poring over pages of an encyclopaedia. The online chemistry encyclopaedia features all the information you need about chemicals, chemical products, polymers, pharmaceuticals and industrial chemical substances.

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http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/

There is a lot available on the evolution of mathematics, which you can read at this website. Learn all about who made history with which discovery, the famous theories and how they were conceived. Besides that, important dates and events, birthplaces, anniversaries and glossaries are some of the features available on the site.

Tech encyclopaedia

http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/

If scientific publications or news items confuse you, then make sure you bookmark this encyclopaedia for quick reference. Simply enter the word which sounds alien and the explanation this website offers will help you understand the concept. You can also browse through terms and definitions by categories.

Stephen Hawking pages

http://www.psyclops.com/hawking/

Stephen Hawking’s work is mind-boggling, to say the least. This website attempts to make his endeavours a little easier for you. You can also get the latest news about Stephen Hawking and read his lectures and papers. There is also a forum which you can use to get in touch with other Hawking fans.

Webwatch

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http://www.fishbase.org/

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http://webbook.nist.gov/

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http://www.mathtools.net/

This site contains a host of links to other resources related to mathematics. Whether you want to learn a programming language, access forums, find out more about the latest software or look for reference material, this is the website for you. If you have an interesting website to share, you can add it here.

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http://www.giant-panda.com/

If you’re interested in the giant panda, then this website will satiate you. With some very elaborate photographs along with text, you can learn all there is to know about the giant panda, including its classification, habitat, feeding habits and physiology.

Webwatch

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http://wwwppds.ihep.su:8001/discovery.html

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Virtual biology

http://www.seoulin.co.kr/Up/

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http://netvet.wustl.edu/e-zoo.htm

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http://www.bagheera.com/

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Webwatch

Hubble Site

http://hubblesite.org/
Does astronomy fascinate you? If it does, then take a look at this website. Many of the latest news and images from the Hubble telescope are featured here, along with a Sci-tech Centre. There is an extensive reference section where you can find out all facts and figures related to the Hubble mission and also a fun-and-games section if you want to relax.


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http://www.alchemylab.com/
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http://www.cryptozoologicalrealms.com/
Yeah, so you’ve heard of zoology, but what is cryptozoology? According to this website, it is the “scientific study of hidden animals.” And if you’re wondering what these hidden animals are, then pay a visit to this website. Information has been neatly indexed so that you can easily access whatever interests you.


Chemistry galore

http://chemmistry.tk
Developed by a young Pakistani student, this website offers some useful study material for students of chemistry. Featured here are brief notes, graphics and animations on a wide range of topics, including atoms, fractional distillation, chemical bonding and the extraction of iron and steel.

Gender Action Reform Plan

THE approval of the gender action reform plan initiated with the assistance of the ADB is no doubt a welcome step as far as elimination of gender discrimination at workplace and more facilities for working women are concerned.

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Webwatch

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http://www.wyp-ptm.org/

“Physics for the Third Millennium” was a conference organized by Marshall Space Flight Centre’s Science Directorate in which leading physicists participated to share their views on various issues. You can read through the conference agenda, find out more about the different speakers, listen to the various lectures and also view poster presentations.

Physics research
http://www.physorg.com/

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Einstein@Home
http://www.physics2005.org/events/einsteinathome/index.html

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Living the year of physics
http://interactions.org/quantumdiaries/

This website provides a closer look at what the world’s prominent physicists are doing during the course of the World Year of Physics. Their blogs and journal entries give you a peek into their lives as they attend seminars, write research papers, and so on.

Physics blog
http://www.physics.uiuc.edu/blog.htm

As weblogs catch on fast with all kinds of online communities, physicists are not to be left behind. This blog is the ultimate proof. From news and events to recent developments and newsletters, every part of this blog is worth a read.

Physics students
http://www.iaps.info/index.php

The International Association of Physics Students brings together students from around the globe to “promote collaboration among them”. You can browse through their forum and view their publications. There is a separate section dedicated to news and another one to the World Year of Physics.