Bruce D'Arcus writes:
"No, but there's an issue here's I've been wondering/worrying about:
>
> Traditional publication outlets don't accept previously published
> work. One might imagine--and I have heard some people* in fact argue
> this--that work posted on blogs is in fact published."
Surely information can be used from blogs with proper referencing style and
a citation of the source? In this sense it is no different from any
published source.
Ian Cook asked:
"Has anyone had any experience - or know of any examples - of academic
papers
>> that have been put together from contributions to a blog?"
Not experience as such, but for some time now I have been thinking about the
value of blogsites as a source of opinions on particular subjects to do with
my own interests. I think they have a potential use in analyses of an
emotive-qualitative nature. Perhaps it goes without saying, however, that as
with any research which relies on data derived from organisations and
informants/ participants, a difficulty arises in determining the nature/
slant/ agenda of the blogsite as well as that of its bloggers (most of whom
guard their anonymity - although this may make the analysis easier in some
ways!?).
Many who contribute to blogs have a certain opinion and want to make it
known. But, are they a good representative sample and how balanced are the
views generally on the site? I suppose that a study over a period of time
(if it is a well-established site) may give us an adequate idea of the
nature of the site and its contibutors.
If one is simply trying to analyse the range of reactions which are "out
there" to a particular issue, then I believe there is some validity in
mining blogsites. In this sense, is it that much different from using
"letters to the editor" as potential resources? But, we must always be aware
of the need to find alternative viewpoints and a balanced perspective. And
where do we find these? Other blogsites? Interviews?
Just some ideas ... opinions!!!!
Paul.
Paul B. Williams, MPhil (Cardiff), PhD (Queen's)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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