Effective Internet Research closure
Finally its the end of the module
It was really an intensive course to learn about the uses and how to use the internet effectively while searching for a particular topic
It has been very useful for me when i'm doing my research for my Major Project
I've learnt to extract information from varied sources including invisible web databases, which i might not have the luxury of using when i go out to work.
However, it has been a pleasant experience to learn about the internet which i wasn't properly taught how to use it. I'm greatful that i attended this course which expanded my knowledge of the use of the internet. I would continue to use the knowledge i've learnt in the future.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Day 12
Wiki Compilation
Wiki is a form of sharing and compiling information on a website.
It is essentially useful for gathering user's perspective and views on a certain topic.
Wiki is useful for users to gather an overall view and to gain an understanding of the topic. Information is properly categorised and organised into headers, which facilitates users to find what they are looking for with more convenience.
However, wiki could be improved by having a panel of qualified judges in the area or editors to vet through the information being put up on the website. This would ensure that the information given is accurate and valid for other users to use.
Wiki is a form of sharing and compiling information on a website.
It is essentially useful for gathering user's perspective and views on a certain topic.
Wiki is useful for users to gather an overall view and to gain an understanding of the topic. Information is properly categorised and organised into headers, which facilitates users to find what they are looking for with more convenience.
However, wiki could be improved by having a panel of qualified judges in the area or editors to vet through the information being put up on the website. This would ensure that the information given is accurate and valid for other users to use.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Day 11
YouTube case study
YouTube has an influenced my life in terms of providing the video resources for both leisure and academic pursuits. It is my first choice facilitiy when it comes to searching for video resources. It is simliar to a database or a collection of videos that users could put up for public viewing.
The pull factor of YouTube is that it provides video resources of a wide variety of genres and almost anything and everything under the sun, for example of "how to" and personal videos to news abstracts. This caters to a very wide spectrum of viewers as they can find anything of their favourite on the site.
As described earlier, YouTube provides a wide variety of resources, thus, a user is able to search for particular resources for example, if a user is looking for solutions to his mountain trekking trip, he could find personal home made or organisation's videos from veteran trekkers that provide useful tips and solutions that will help aid and improve the way the user can trek. This way it is a form of research and some of the sources are from organisations which are creditable.
However, the negative factor is that the most of the videos posted do not have a proper system of citing the sources, thus, the user might face problems of discerning and evaluating the effectiveness of the source.
YouTube has an influenced my life in terms of providing the video resources for both leisure and academic pursuits. It is my first choice facilitiy when it comes to searching for video resources. It is simliar to a database or a collection of videos that users could put up for public viewing.
The pull factor of YouTube is that it provides video resources of a wide variety of genres and almost anything and everything under the sun, for example of "how to" and personal videos to news abstracts. This caters to a very wide spectrum of viewers as they can find anything of their favourite on the site.
As described earlier, YouTube provides a wide variety of resources, thus, a user is able to search for particular resources for example, if a user is looking for solutions to his mountain trekking trip, he could find personal home made or organisation's videos from veteran trekkers that provide useful tips and solutions that will help aid and improve the way the user can trek. This way it is a form of research and some of the sources are from organisations which are creditable.
However, the negative factor is that the most of the videos posted do not have a proper system of citing the sources, thus, the user might face problems of discerning and evaluating the effectiveness of the source.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Day 10
Evaluating a chosen site
There are several criteria to evaluating a site whether it is effective or not in facilitating and helping the user to research on the topic. Some of the criteria are accuracy, currency, authority, coverage, propose, presentation and arrangement.
Because as discussed in earlier posts, website have different categories and the first thing when evaluating a site is to identify the type of website, whether if its an organisational, entertainment, personal or advocacy website. This is because an organisational website is more likely to be accurate than a personal website as the users of the organisational website may be experts in the areas of concern. Organisational websites also need to uphold the reputation
Being accurate means that the information provided is exact, properly documented and backed up. With this, information is more established and more reliable for the user. This is also a form of ethics because providing people with proper information is only right and inaccurate information would only mislead users and might produce negative results.
If the website is current and constantly updated, it shows that the website is contently active and the information is up to date. For the user, this would also mean that the information they extract would still be reliable and relevant.
If the website allows users to post articles and other forms of information, the profile and the background of the users should be provided. This would give other users and readers a brief idea of the authors and to allow them to evaluate if the authors are trustworthy or not.
Having a wide coverage of information would give users a better understanding and other relevant information on the topic. The depth and details of the information is also important as it provides more for the user to understand and comprehend.
Normally advocacy sites trnd to have a stronger purpose than the other sites. Its main objective is to convince or influence users to do or purchase something.
Having an organised and neat interface for the website would also mean that the website is well maintained this could be seen through the presentation and arrangement of the information.
There are several criteria to evaluating a site whether it is effective or not in facilitating and helping the user to research on the topic. Some of the criteria are accuracy, currency, authority, coverage, propose, presentation and arrangement.
Because as discussed in earlier posts, website have different categories and the first thing when evaluating a site is to identify the type of website, whether if its an organisational, entertainment, personal or advocacy website. This is because an organisational website is more likely to be accurate than a personal website as the users of the organisational website may be experts in the areas of concern. Organisational websites also need to uphold the reputation
Being accurate means that the information provided is exact, properly documented and backed up. With this, information is more established and more reliable for the user. This is also a form of ethics because providing people with proper information is only right and inaccurate information would only mislead users and might produce negative results.
If the website is current and constantly updated, it shows that the website is contently active and the information is up to date. For the user, this would also mean that the information they extract would still be reliable and relevant.
If the website allows users to post articles and other forms of information, the profile and the background of the users should be provided. This would give other users and readers a brief idea of the authors and to allow them to evaluate if the authors are trustworthy or not.
Having a wide coverage of information would give users a better understanding and other relevant information on the topic. The depth and details of the information is also important as it provides more for the user to understand and comprehend.
Normally advocacy sites trnd to have a stronger purpose than the other sites. Its main objective is to convince or influence users to do or purchase something.
Having an organised and neat interface for the website would also mean that the website is well maintained this could be seen through the presentation and arrangement of the information.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Day 9
Evalutaion of a dream holiday website
After evaluating www.talkingcock.com , we have yet another evaluation exercise to analyse and comment on a website of our dream holiday.
As LEGO is the fuel of my passion, obviously i would like to visit a LEGOLAND for at least once in my life. And what better place to visit than the origins of the product, Demark. i've managed to get to the LEGOLAND website (http://www.legoland.dk/?lc=en) through a link from the main LEGO website (http://www.lego.com/). Despite it being a themed park for young children, i would still like to visit it because it brings me memories when i was a child.
Because the main site is based in Demark, the language used is Danish however, there is a function that allows users to change to their prefered language at the top left hand corner. There are other features such as the help, sitemap and search function that allows users to easily get to their prefered location on the website.
From the inital home page, there are images that are featured quick links to the newest attraction and promotions that are currently active. they act as a form of advertisement and for marketing purposes.
The navigation bar includes the park attractions, plan packages, business functions and employment links.
After evaluating www.talkingcock.com , we have yet another evaluation exercise to analyse and comment on a website of our dream holiday.
As LEGO is the fuel of my passion, obviously i would like to visit a LEGOLAND for at least once in my life. And what better place to visit than the origins of the product, Demark. i've managed to get to the LEGOLAND website (http://www.legoland.dk/?lc=en) through a link from the main LEGO website (http://www.lego.com/). Despite it being a themed park for young children, i would still like to visit it because it brings me memories when i was a child.
Because the main site is based in Demark, the language used is Danish however, there is a function that allows users to change to their prefered language at the top left hand corner. There are other features such as the help, sitemap and search function that allows users to easily get to their prefered location on the website.
From the inital home page, there are images that are featured quick links to the newest attraction and promotions that are currently active. they act as a form of advertisement and for marketing purposes.
The navigation bar includes the park attractions, plan packages, business functions and employment links.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Day 8
Today in class, we're being taught how to evalute websites
in the exercise we're required to evaluate a local website http://www.talkingcock.com
Talkingcock.com is a local site that discusses current affairs and allows a platform for the local community to exercise freedom of speech. Because it allows any Singaporean citizen to register and express their opinions, the coverage of the contents varies and covers a wide scope of topics.
However, the because of the content and the issues discussed, it is to be taken light heartedly and as a form of comical relief.
From the main page of the website, it provides quick links to the newest and latest articles written by the registered users. the posts here are very current and up to date, dating back to only the previous day.
The site also contains quick navigational links to forums, articles, columns written by resident writers and it even includes a search engine function for searching particular keywords within the site.
However, if i were to view this website as the Prime Minister i would be concerned as to the fact that what factors are actually causing these citizens to have such unhappiness and issues towards the country's policies and the government. And i would actually be brainstorming for counter measutres to try and please and address the current issues.
As a Singaporean viewing the site, i am able to relate to the jokes and humour. It is actually a form of comic relief and that it should not be taken seriously. However, i would be concerned that if young readers or people who do not understand the facts behind the posts and articles, would have a negative opinon and it would form a bad influence and misunderstandings.
If i were a foreigner in Singapore viewing this site, i would not understand 90% of the jokes but as for what i would understand would be that majority of the posts are related to the government and the ministers and that many of it do not speak very well of them. This would form a negative perception on the citizens of Singapore.
in the exercise we're required to evaluate a local website http://www.talkingcock.com
Talkingcock.com is a local site that discusses current affairs and allows a platform for the local community to exercise freedom of speech. Because it allows any Singaporean citizen to register and express their opinions, the coverage of the contents varies and covers a wide scope of topics.
However, the because of the content and the issues discussed, it is to be taken light heartedly and as a form of comical relief.
From the main page of the website, it provides quick links to the newest and latest articles written by the registered users. the posts here are very current and up to date, dating back to only the previous day.
The site also contains quick navigational links to forums, articles, columns written by resident writers and it even includes a search engine function for searching particular keywords within the site.
However, if i were to view this website as the Prime Minister i would be concerned as to the fact that what factors are actually causing these citizens to have such unhappiness and issues towards the country's policies and the government. And i would actually be brainstorming for counter measutres to try and please and address the current issues.
As a Singaporean viewing the site, i am able to relate to the jokes and humour. It is actually a form of comic relief and that it should not be taken seriously. However, i would be concerned that if young readers or people who do not understand the facts behind the posts and articles, would have a negative opinon and it would form a bad influence and misunderstandings.
If i were a foreigner in Singapore viewing this site, i would not understand 90% of the jokes but as for what i would understand would be that majority of the posts are related to the government and the ministers and that many of it do not speak very well of them. This would form a negative perception on the citizens of Singapore.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Day 7
Using invisible web resources for research purposes
Today we learnt about using invisible web databases
these databases differ from the conventional databases in the sense where is requires the user to actually pay to access the database and the resources that are available in the invisbile web. Examples of invisbile web resources are "lexxis nexus" and "factiva". Both resources contain a variety of the types of resources from web documents to articles. Most of the time these kinds of databases are used by large corporations and academic facilities. This might be due to the cost and the need to pay for these resources. These databases are useful because it is a collection and archives of resources.
Today we learnt about using invisible web databases
these databases differ from the conventional databases in the sense where is requires the user to actually pay to access the database and the resources that are available in the invisbile web. Examples of invisbile web resources are "lexxis nexus" and "factiva". Both resources contain a variety of the types of resources from web documents to articles. Most of the time these kinds of databases are used by large corporations and academic facilities. This might be due to the cost and the need to pay for these resources. These databases are useful because it is a collection and archives of resources.
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