WIKINDX Resources
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Journal Article:
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ID no. (ISBN etc.): 0740-8188
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BibTeX citation key: savolainen.57
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Savolainen R. (2001). « "Living encyclopedia" or idle talk? Seeking and providing consumer information in an Internet newsgroup ». Library and Information Science Research, vol. 23, n° 1, p. 67–90.
Added by: Khatira Odin 2005-05-04 14:43:15 Last edited by: Laure Endrizzi 2005-05-04 14:43:15
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Abstract
The article investigates the character of the Internet newsgroups as fora of information seeking, and reviews the potentials of ''weak and strong ties'' proposed by Granovetter and the prospects of newsgroups as a ''living encyclopedia'' suggested by Rheingold. An empirical study in the field of consumer issues was conducted by focusing on a Finnish newsgroup sfnet.kuluttajat. The research questions deal with the nature of information needs and the ways in which the participants provided help regarding requests addressed to the group. About 9% of the 894 messages contained questions indicating explicit information needs. Attention was also paid to the sources and channels used by participants providing help to information seekers. About 24% of messages contained answers to questions. Help providers preferred their own experience as an information source. Both successful and unsuccessful attempts at information seeking were explored. Surprisingly, there was practically no dialogue between information seekers and providers, even though newsgroups provide opportunities for interaction.
Added by: Laure Endrizzi
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