Ann E. Williams

To Broadband or Not to Broadband: The Relationship Between High-speed Internet and Knowledge and Participation

This study tests 2 competing theoretical models that attempt to understand the roles that broadband Internet plays in society. The linear model posits that the gains or harms introduced by the Internet via narrowband will further increase with the adoption of broadband. On the contrary, the differential gains model proposes that changes stemming from advances to different stages of Internet connection technology should be unique to each technological advance. Findings show that support for these models was contingent upon the domain that each criterion variable represents. For hard engagement, such as political discussion, hard knowledge, and civic participation, there was support for the differential gains model, but for soft engagement, such as informal socializing and soft knowledge, the linear model was supported.

The Possibilities and Perils of Academic Social Networking Sites

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold: the first aim is theoretical – to review extant literature on academic social networks, while considering current limitations and potential avenues for future research; the second objective is practical – to introduce an illustrative comparison guide that researchers can use to identify and distinguish between the functionalities of popular academic social networking sites (ASNSs), including Academia.edu, Mendeley.com, ResearchGate.net, Zotero.org, and Google Scholar. Design/methodology/approach – The review of research is descriptive and conceptual. Findings – The overarching outcomes of the review suggest that research on academic social networks falls into two primary arenas – promises (i.e. potential benefits to the academic community) and perils (i.e. reservations expressed by scholars). The authors recommend that a greater focus on the unique characteristics and utilities of specific sites and a more robust understanding of scholars’ use preferences an...

News of Corporate Failure: Evaluating the Relationship Between Individual Assessments and Market Investments

Individuals’ comprehension of communication is shaped by the use of metaphor. This study illustrates how the use of metaphor in business and economic news coverage shapes individuals’ responsibility attributions in ways that can ultimately influence consumers’ investment decisions. In a randomized experimental design, participants were invited to read news articles that described the bankruptcy of a business. The treatment text narrated the bankruptcy using metaphor, while the control text narrated the same event without the use of metaphor. After exposure to the communication text narrated with metaphor, responsibility attributions and subsequent investment decisions were significantly altered. The findings suggest that individual responsibility attributions, particularly when employed in connection with exposure to metaphorical loss frames, have the ability to influence individuals’ economic decisions. The theoretical importance and prospects for future communication studies are considered.

Altmetrics: an overview and evaluation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview and critique of altmetrics, an understudied yet increasingly important arena of study for scholars, academics, and professional researchers. Design/methodology/approach The paper is organized into six parts: the first defines altmetrics; the second examines how altmetrics work; the third presents multiple typologies under which altmetrics can be classified and studied; the fourth details the technological capabilities of altmetrics; the fifth presents a critical evaluation of the “pros and cons” of altmetrics; and, the sixth outlines some directions for future and ongoing research. Findings The conclusions detail the strengths and limitations of altmetrics and point toward avenues for continued research and development. Originality/value This paper is among the first to provide a substantive review and evaluation of altmetrics for academics to consider when adopting, utilizing, and researching these tools.