Learning Portfolio 4 –
Q1) – The Importance of Evaluating Credibility in Websites –
Jacob Neilsen writes of the Web being “…the great Equaliser”(Nielsen, 2000, p. 92). By this he means that anyone has the right to put up a website and since 2000 the number of people doing just that has increased exponentially. The obvious problem is that it has become more difficult to judge the veracity of websites. In the academic world it is of primary importance that we use accurate information in our studies. Students now are much more likely to Google for answers than attend their college library (Kubiszewski, Noordewier, & Costanza, 2011, p. 659). It is essential that students should take all steps to verify the authenticity and accuracy of online material.
I find it interesting that Robins and Holmes find the link between site aesthetics and credibility to be compelling and the average time taken to judge a sites credibility, (based on aesthetic grounds) is 3.5seconds (Robins & Holmes, 2008, p. 394) – How many scholarly texts in the library would pass the aesthetic test? We should not be blinded by expert presentation in a website – even though this is the skilled designers object. The content should still be examined and checked against benchmark and referenced work.
Q2) – Why is Wikipedia not accepted as a credible resource for academic work?
Wikipedia is generally treated with scepticism by academia. We are told that is acceptable to use the website for initial investigation but not for serious study. Wikipedia is a web based, free content encyclopaedia which is openly editable : that is to say anyone can write articles and /or modify the same. Although some articles are well referenced, others are not. The contributors are not limited to academia. University education has traditionally been based on knowledge and research subject to peer review; that is review by fellow academics. Wikipedia obviously does not fulfil this criteria.
An interesting paper by Henk Eijkman claims that as the “public face of Web2.0+”, Wikipedia is seen as a threat to academias’ status as the gate keeper of knowledge (Eijkman, 2010). He argues that Wikipedia is an emblem of the new web based, collaborative learning model and constructive engagement is the desirable way forward.
Q3 – Anticipated Issues that may affect Perceived Web Credibility in the Future.
- Increasing user education and experience of web based issues. This is seen in the take up of on line shopping. A trouble free shopping experience and easy to navigate websites are encouraging the rapid take up of this form of retailing.
- Ever increasing bandwidth will result in greater use of the web for education and health solutions – more people will be exposed to the on line experience and so its credibility will become ever more crucial.
- Web darlings like Facebook, Google, and many others, own an increasing dossier of information about their users. This information is a tradeable commodity that subsidises a perceived- to- be free service. A large proportion of the general public seem happy to divulge their personal details to these corporations. The credibility of these providers is dependant on ethical and appropriate use of these records.
References-
Eijkman, H. (2010). Academics and Wikipedia: Reframing Web 2.0+as a disruptor of traditional academic power-knowledge arrangements. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 27(3), 173-185.
Kubiszewski, I., Noordewier, T., & Costanza, R. (2011). Perceived credibility of Internet encyclopedias. Computers & Education, 56(3), 659-667. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2010.10.008
Nielsen, J. (2000). Designing Web Usability. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA: New Riders Publishing.
Robins, D., & Holmes, J. (2008). Aesthetics and credibility in web site design. Information Processing & Management, 44(1), 386-399. doi: 10.1016/j.ipm.2007.02.003
Item 2 – Examples of Website Credibility
Presumed Credibility-
Cambridge is the third oldest surviving university in the world (founded in 1209). It has a long history of research in science and engineering. A massive 89 affiliates of the University have won Nobel Prizes since 1904. I would presume the website to be credible.
Screenshot – www.cam.ac.uk/univ/ – retrieved 2/11/2012.
Reputed Credibility –
As the national broadcaster, the ABC has earned a reputation for reliable, serious news coverage. The website (along with SBS) would be one of the first Australian broadcasters recommended.
Screenshot – http://www.abc.net.au – retrieved 2/11/2012
Surface Credibility –
The Daikin website is well laid out and pleasing to the eye. Home page has eye catching and legible links to information that the intended customer will require. Limited colours are used to good effect. Icon metaphors are used to good effect. The page looks authentic.Navigation is simple.
Screenshot – http://www.daikin.com.au/ – retrieved 2/11/2012.
Earned Credibility –
I have used the Emirates website a number over times over the last 5 years and for me it has earned credibility. Airline sites are often hard to navigate and in my experience often do not fulfill expectations of professionalism. This site allow for things like on-line check-in and advance allocation of seats in a straightforward way and, in my experience, it works.
Screenshot – http://www.emirates.com/ – retrieved 2/11/2012
Things I Like (and my CCA1108 Assignments!) 