Determinants of information retweeting in microblogging

an article by Zhiming Liu, Lu Liu,and Hong Li (Beihang University, Beijing, China) published in Internet Research Volume 22 Issue 4 (2012)

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model to investigate the determinants of information retweeting in microblogging based on Heuristic-Systematic Model.
Design/methodology/approach
Microblogging data about emergency events from Sina microblogging (http://weibo.com) are collected and analyzed with text mining technology. The proposed hypotheses are tested with logistic and multiple linear regressions.
Findings
The results show that source trustworthiness, source expertise, source attractiveness, and the number of multimedia have significant effects on the information retweeting. In addition, source expertise moderates the effects of user trustworthiness and content objectivity on the information retweeting in microblogging.
Practical implications
This study provides an in-depth understanding of what makes information about emergency events in microblogging diffuse so rapidly. Based on these findings the emergency management organizations in China can apply the microblogging to spread useful information, and these findings also provide practical implications for microblogging system designers.
Originality/value
The primary value of this paper lies in providing a better understanding of information retweeting in microblogging based on Heuristic-Systematic Model. Organizations that would like to adopt the microblogging platform in emergency situations to improve the ability of emergency response can benefit from the findings of this study.

Hazel’s comment:
This is probably of less relevance to careers practitioners than it is to librarians. Twitter abounds in librarians, most careers professionals using social media seem to be using LinkedIn.

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An experimental system for measuring the credibility of news content in Twitter

an article by Hend S. Al-Khalifa and Rasha M. Al-Eidan (King Saud University, Riyadh) published in International Journal of Web Information Systems Volume 7 Issue 2 (2011)

Abstract

Purpose
Owing to the large amount of information available on Twitter (a micro blogging service) that is not necessarily true or believable, credibility of news published in such an electronic channel has become an important area for investigation in the field of web credibility. This paper aims to address this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
A system was developed to measure the credibility of news content published in Twitter. The system uses two approaches to assign credibility levels (low, high and average) to each tweet. The first approach is based on the similarity between Twitter posts (tweets) and authentic (i.e. verified) news sources. The second approach is based on the similarity with verified news sources in addition to a set of proposed features.
Findings
The evaluations of the two approaches showed that assigning credibility levels to Twitter tweets for the first approach has a higher precision and recall. Additional experiments showed that the linking feature has its impact on the second approach results.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed system is experimental; thus further experiments are needed to prove these findings.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the research on web credibility. It is believed to be the first which provides a proposed system to evaluate the credibility of Twitter news content automatically.

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Do we lose the past by moving forward?

I read blog postings (skim through most and really read the minority) using a reader. Most of the time, therefore, I'm only looking at one item at a time and not going to the actual weblog site and reading sidebars, comments etc. Even for the "I really need to read this" ones I don't always go to the site before taking some action:

• email link to Dawn to make a decision as to whether to include the item in Members' Update
• email link to myself because it's to do with something that I'm interested in on a personal level maybe some learning opportunity e.g. a "how-to" (either work or pleasure), it could be a new application that I want to study in more depth or even an exhortation to work smarter not harder/longer
• grab the details for using in one of ADSET's weblogs -- it's either "careersy" or it's "businessy" and that defines which of the two blogs it goes to ... but

... what do I do with a piece which came to me via Library Link of the Day entitled "Cultural past of the digital age"? It's on the BBC News site. Bill Thompson, in what is more of a short essay than a news report, asks whether books and film have a place in the modern world.
Short answer is, I put it here and just hope that you have the time to go and read it. I believe that we are in danger of losing our cultural past by moving headlong into a digital future -- and if we're not careful we'll be losing that past more and more rapidly as our culture becomes more ephemeral.

Library + Information Show (2)

Excuses, excuses, excuses! I suppose that they're better than lies, damned lies and statistics - probably not much but at least I can now bring you the link for the presentations I went to. That's one excuse, next one ... ?

I managed to get to four seminars over the two days - three of them on Wednesday (yes, I know that was a week ago)

Information literacy (IL), a subject which many of you know is very dear to my heart, was ably covered by Professor Sheila Corrall Professor of Librarianship & Information Management at the University of Sheffield. She had titled her presentation "Developing Information Literacy: Our Mission for the 21st Century" and concentrated on taking a broader perspective of IL than is usually the case -- most commentators talk about IL within a formal education setting but this talk was about education at a societal level.
Professor Corral's PowerPoint presentation is here

After lunch it was Credible and Credited - The Changing Face of a News Library
Richard Nelsson, Information Manager, Guardian News & Media (GNM) Seminar Details, spoke about his work in a news library and the changes that have been seen over the past 40 years. Once seen principally as a cuttings service GNM's Research and Information department now offers a pro-active research service to over 700 editorial staff.
PPT presentation is here

followed by

Blogs, Wikis and RSS: Key Technologies for Information Provision and Gathering
Karen Blakeman, Director, RBA Information Services, went quickly but effectively given the time constraints through what these "things" are and that many people are using them without realising it. Whilst, for me, there was nothing that I didn't already "know" it was a very useful reminder that I don't always do as I should. Karen is very professional but friendly in her presentation style - and for those who are interested "yes, the photo on her blog is a good likeness." The PPT presentation contains a substantial list of useful addresses etc.

then on Thursday the "biggie" in terms of improving my personal knowledge

The Gowers Review of Intellectual Property –Implications for Libraries and Access to Knowledge
Barbara Stratton, CILIP's Senior Copyright Advisor and Secretary to LACA (The Libraries and Archives Copyright Alliance, told delegates that HM Treasury’s Gowers Review Report, published December 2006, included significant proposals concerning copyright and libraries in the digital age in the context of explicit acceptance of the need for a balanced intellectual property regime which respects the wider interests of society. Ms Stratton provided a very slick presentation which updated us on progress towards achievement of Andrew Gowers' recommendations.
The presentation notes are not available to non-attenders.

I have a feeling that I should sign off here and talk about the stands I visited on Thursday as a separate posting - this seems to be getting a bit "wordy".