Library 102 Fourth Class Session

 

 

 

 

Web Evaluation:

Blogs and Wikis

 

Blogs:​ Wikis:​

Blog: (weblog) A web site that contains an online 
personal journal with reflections, comments, and
often hyperlinks. ​

Wiki: A web site that lets visitors add, remove and
 edit content.​

News oriented​ Topic oriented​
Postings by date in reverse chronological order​ Normal web page appearance​
Readers can comment on individual postings​ Separate comments section​
Postings often personal​ Less personal​
Typically maintained by an individual​ Usually maintained by many contributors​
Can't access the history of edits​ Can access the history of edits​
Identity of maintainer usually easier to ascertain​ Usually more difficult to ascertain identity
 of authors/editors​
 

 

Blogs

Positive characteristics of a reputable blog:

  • Discussion of issues rather than personal activities

  • Signed by an author

  • Comments stay on topic

  • Postings are cited on other blogs

  • New postings appear regularly

Wikis

Positive characteristics of a reputable wiki:

  • Sponsors of the wiki can be identified

  • Is appropriate for your research

  • Can determine the expertise of those who can edit or contribute

  • Sources are cited

  • Contributors must follow guidelines

  • The wiki is monitored and monitors are identifiable

  • Currency of the edits ¹

¹Evaluating Web Content - Blogs and Wikis. University Libraries University at Albany. n.d.Web. 25 Jan. 2011.

 

 

 
Last Updated: 5/7/2012 11:35 AM