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On the validity of client‐side vs server‐side web log data analysis

Gi Woong Yun (Department of Telecommunications, School of Communication Studies, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA)
Jay Ford (Center for Health Systems Research and Analysis, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin, USA)
Robert P. Hawkins (School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin, USA)
Suzanne Pingree (Department of Life Sciences Communication, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin, USA)
Fiona McTavish (Center for Health Systems Research and Analysis, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin, USA)
David Gustafson (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin, USA, and)
Haile Berhe (Center for Health Systems Research and Analysis, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin, USA)

Internet Research

ISSN: 1066-2243

Article publication date: 1 October 2006

990

Abstract

Purpose

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This paper seeks to discuss measurement units by comparing the internet use and the traditional media use, and to understand internet use from the traditional media use perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

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Benefits and shortcomings of two log file types will be carefully and exhaustively examined. Client‐side and server‐side log files will be analyzed and compared with proposed units of analysis.

Findings

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Server‐side session time calculation was remarkably reliable and valid based on the high correlation with the client‐side time calculation. The analysis result revealed that the server‐side log file session time measurement seems more promising than the researchers previously speculated.

Practical implications

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An ability to identify each individual user and low caching problems were strong advantages for the analysis. Those web design implementations and web log data analysis scheme are recommended for future web log analysis research.

Originality/value

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This paper examined the validity of the client‐side and the server‐side web log data. As a result of the triangulation of two datasets, research designs and propose analysis schemes could be recommended.

Keywords

Citation

Woong Yun, G., Ford, J., Hawkins, R.P., Pingree, S., McTavish, F., Gustafson, D. and Berhe, H. (2006), "On the validity of client‐side vs server‐side web log data analysis", Internet Research, Vol. 16 No. 5, pp. 537-552. https://doi.org/10.1108/10662240610711003

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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