Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This study employed an online survey to examine the extent to which blog users judge different types of blogs as credible. More specifically, this study examines the extent to which blog users judge general information, media/journalism, war, military, political, corporate and personal blogs as credible. The study will also examine the degree to which reliance on blogs for war information predicts their credibility after controlling for demographic and political factors. War and military blogs were judged the most credible.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: “Blogging,” the act of writing and maintaining an on-line journal, is an increasingly popular form of political expression among elites and non-elites alike. Indeed, recent studies of blogging suggest that there may be as many as 1 million political “blogs” on the internet. Despite this increasing popularity, however, political blogs have received very little attention in the political science literature. This paper attempts to address this oversight by doing three things. First, I discuss the growth and evolution of the political blogging phenomenon and attempt to offer an efficient and reliable operational definition of political blogs. Second, with this operational definition of political blogging in mind, I identify four questions that are likely to be of interest to political scientists: (1) how political blogging effects political bloggers? (2) which factors influence an individual’s decision to engage in political blogging? (3) what impact the political blogosphere has on social level variables? (4) what independent variables explain the content of political blogs? Finally, I attempt to shed some light on these questions by selecting a random sample of political blogs on the internet and engaging in a systematic content analysis of their texts. In the end, I conclude that a combination of content analysis of political blogs and surveys of political bloggers is the best method for understanding the who’s, what’s and why’s of political blogging.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Employing data collected in an online survey targeting individuals who maintain blogs focused on politics in American states, this study examines the question of who blogs and why in state capitals around the country. Grounded in the literature of political communication and democratic engagement, this study offers a profile of state-level bloggers. Discussion includes consideration of blogger responses concerning political engagement, political cynicism, media criticism and political engagement. Results suggest that state-focused bloggers look much like their counterparts at the national level, with a few noteworthy differences.

Publication Type: Invited Paper
Abstract: The ever-growing collection of travel and tourism blogs gives onlookers an opportunity to learn about different locales without leaving their homes. The exchange afforded through these outlets creates a “small world” effect that unites searchers with a common goal--exploration. My talk will focus on how blogs are an outlet for travel and tourism communication. Additionally, the discussion will include how other Web 2.0 applications—wikis, podcasts—are filling the travel and tourism niche.

Publication Type: Proceeding