Finding communities: alternative viewpoints through weblogs and tagging

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss and test the claim that user‐based tagging allows for access to a wider variety of viewpoints than is found using other forms of online searching.

Design/methodology/approach

A general overview of the nature of weblogs and user‐based tagging is given, along with other relevant concepts. A case is then analyzed where viewpoints towards a specific issue are searched for using both tag searching (Technorati) and general search engine searching (Google and Google Blog Search).

Findings

The claim to greater accessibility through user‐based tagging is not overtly supported with these experiments. Further results for both general and tag‐specific searching goes against some common assumptions about the types of content found on weblogs as opposed to more general web sites.

Research limitations/implications

User‐based tagging is still not widespread enough to give conclusive data for analysis. As this changes, further research in this area, using a variety of search subjects, is warranted.

Originality/value

Although proponents of user‐based tagging attribute many qualities to the practice, these qualities have not been properly documented or demonstrated. This paper partially rectifies this gap by testing one of the claims made, that of accessibility to alternate views, thus adding to the discussion on tagging for both researchers and other interested parties.

Citation

Chopin, K. (2008), "Finding communities: alternative viewpoints through weblogs and tagging", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 64 No. 4, pp. 552-575. https://doi.org/10.1108/00220410810884075