This project examines personal blogging through the philosophy of Hannah Arendt and her understanding of public, private and social. Personal blogging is the latest in a long history of self-representational writing with each form taking on a more public overtone. By utlizing Hannah Arendt's philosophy in this manner, this project provides a venue for her work in the realm of today's mediated world. Hannah Arendt's understanding of public, private, and social allows us to better understand the need for boundaries and the need for both a public and private space in our lives. Utilizing several interpersonal communication theories, including Boundary Management and Parasocial Framework, to better understand how people navigate public, private, and social boundaries in communications.<br>Chapter One examines the evolution of self-representational writing. Looking at the diary, the journal and the personal blog, this chapter examines the similarities and differences of these genres. Chapter Two explains Hannah Arendt's philosophy of public, private and social more fully and applies thesm to the different genres of self-representational writing. Chapter 3 discusses the evolution of communicaiton technology and different theories of interpersonal communication including Boundary Management theory, the para-social framework extablished by Horton and Wohl, and the effect of technology on interpersonal communication. Chapter 4 looks at the evolution of personal blogs from their inception so that computer insiders could share new links on the Internet to today's personal journals and interest-driven content. Chapter 5 looks ahead. How can Arendt's philosophy be used to navigate not only personal blogs, but all computer-mediated communication today and in the future. / McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts; / Communication and Rhetorical Studies / PhD; / Dissertation;

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 308-327) Also available in print.

Yes / Blogs have proven to be a useful tool for academics as a tool for education and outreach in the Digital Age, with much written about their effectiveness in the classroom and as alternative means of publishing research. However, less consideration has been given to utilising the blog format for developing theory, particularly for graduate students and early career researchers. This paper will draw on both recent literature and personal experience to explore the potential of blogging as a means of introducing and developing unconventional and radical theory and research prior to more "formal" publication.

With the development of free and easy-to-use software programs, blogging has helped turn Web consumers into Web content providers. Blogging provides distinctive insight into comprehending e-consumer behavior explicitly with respect to social networking and information searching behaviors while facilitating a state of flow. The objectives of this study are to identify determinant dimensions of blogging motivations and flow, and to investigate the hypothesized relationships of the motivational blogging behavior. Analyzing data (n = 432) from a southwestern university, results reveal the critical dimensions of motivations, behaviors, and flow in blogging. Upon extending Hoffman and Novak's (1996) flow model, 14 out of 26 hypotheses were confirmed regarding the significant impacts of blogging motivations and flow on blogging behaviors. The findings revealed that the desire for information, enjoyment, and loyalty are the primary drivers for experiential blogging behavior. Specifically, information-seeking is the decisive motivation to urge experiential and e-shopping behavior concurrently. This study shows that indulgence and telepresence in flow might play pivotal mediating roles to promote the goal-oriented e-shopping behavior resulting enjoyment and loyalty-seeking motivations.

O presente estudo objetiva analisar a avaliação de acadêmicos de Enfermagem sobre blogs de cateterismo vesical de demora. Trata-se de uma investigação exploratória e descritiva com abordagem quantitativa, realizada na Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), com 98 estudantes matriculados na 5ª, 6ª ou 7ª etapa do curso, no período de 2014/2. Foram avaliados dois blogs sobre o tema e preenchido o formulário de avaliação. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) versão 21.0, com nível de significância de 5% (p≤0,05). O estudo foi aprovado pela Comissão de Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem (COMPESQ) e pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa da UFRGS (nº 648.653). A autoria dos blogs foi identificada por 96 estudantes (98%) no Blog 1 e por 13 (13%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001). Na identificação da formação profissional do autor do blog, 96 estudantes (98%) indicaram o Blog 1, ao passo que, no Blog 2, 1 estudante (1%) o fez (p<0,001). As indicações do procedimento foram identificadas por 70 estudantes (71,4%) no Blog 1 e por 14 (14,3%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001); em relação aos cuidados antes e após a realização do procedimento, 19 alunos (19,4%) os identificaram no Blog 1 e 8 (8,2%) no Blog 2 (0,013). Os comentários sobre a postagem do procedimento foram identificados por 8 (8,2%) no Blog 1 e por 31 (31,6%) no Blog 2, com significância p<0,001. Quanto à interface do blog, 19 estudantes (19,4%) identificaram o objetivo desta no Blog 1 e 10 estudantes (10,2%) no Blog 2 (p=0,035); 11 (11,2%) assinalaram que o Blog 1 indica links e hiperlinks sobre o procedimento e 30 (30,6%) sobre o Blog 2 (p=0,002). Quanto ao fato de possuir links publicitários, 46 estudantes (46,9%) os identificaram no Blog 1 e 86 (87,8%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001); o interesse comercial declarado foi identificado por 9 alunos (9,2%) no Blog 1 e por 38 (38,8%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001); declararam verificar conflitos de interesse 11 estudantes (11,2%) no Blog 1 e 27 (27,6%) no Blog 2; observaram a data das últimas atualizações 18 estudantes (18,4%) no Blog 1 e 47 (48%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001). Os estudantes consideram positiva a avaliação dos blogs quanto a interface e algumas variáveis do conteúdo, e mesmo assim não os indicam. A partir disto, pode-se afirmar que, apesar de os alunos acreditarem na adequação da estrutura e do conteúdo dos blogs, não os consideram confiáveis. / The objective of this study is to analyze the evaluation of Nursing students about blogs with posts describing indwelling catheterization. This is an exploratory and descriptive study with a quantitative approach, which was developed in the Nursing School of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), with 98 students registered in the 5th, 6th or 7th period of the course, in 2014/2. Two blogs about the subject were evaluated and a form for the evaluation was completed. Data were analyzed through the program Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0, with significance of 5% (p≤0.05). The study was approved by the Research Committee of the Nursing School (COMPESQ) and by UFRGS's Research Ethics Committee (n. 648.653). The authorship of the blogs was identified by 96 students (98%) in Blog 1 and by 13 (13%) in Blog 2 (p<0.001). Regarding the identification of the professional training of the blog's author, 96 students (98%) indicated Blog 1 while only 1 student (1%) indicated Blog 2. The indications for the procedure were identified by 70 students (71.4%) in Blog 1 and by 14 (14.3%) in Blog 2 (p<0.001); concerning care before and after the procedure, 19 students (19.4%) identified it in Blog 1 and 8 students (8.2%) in Blog 2 (0.013). The comments related to the post about the procedure were identified by 8 (8.2%) in Blog 1 and by 31 (31.6%) in Blog 2, with significance of p<0.001. Regarding the blogs' interface, 19 students (19.4%) identified the objective of it in Blog 1 and 10 students (10.2%) in Blog 2 (p=0.035); 11 (11.2%) said that Blog 1 presents links and hyperlinks about the procedure and 30 (30.6%) said the same about Blog 2 (p=0.002). About the fact of having advertising links, 46 students (46.9%) identified them in Blog 1 and 86 (87.8%) in Blog 2 (p<0.001); the declared commercial interest was identified by 9 students (9.2%) in Blog 1 and by 38 (38.8%) in Blog 2 (p<0.001); conflicts of interest were seen by 11 students (11.2%) in Blog 1 and by 27 (27.6%) in Blog 2; the last updates' dates were identified in Blog 1 by 18 students (18.4%) and in Blog 2 by 47 students (48%) (p<0.001). The students considered positive the blogs' evaluation regarding their interface and some content variables, yet they would not indicate the blogs. Considering that information, it is possible to say that, despite the students' belief in the appropriateness of the structure and content of the blogs, they do not consider them reliable. / Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la evaluación de los estudiantes de Enfermería sobre los blogs de cateterismo vesical de demora. Se trata de una investigación exploratoria y descriptiva con un enfoque cuantitativo, realizado en la Escuela de Enfermería de la Universidad Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), con 98 estudiantes, matriculados en el 5ª, 6ª o 7ª etapa del curso, en el período de 2014/2. Se evaluaron dos blogs sobre el tema y se rellenó el formulario de evaluación. Los datos fueron analizados mediante el programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), versión 21.0, con un nivel de significación de 5% (p≤0,05). El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Investigación de la Escuela de Enfermería (COMPESQ) y por el Comité de Ética y Investigación de la UFRGS (nº 648.653). La autoria de los blogs fue identificada por 96 estudiantes (98%) en el Blog 1 y por 13 (13%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001). En la identificación de la formación del autor del blog, 96 estudiantes (98%) indicaron el Blog 1, mientras que en el Blog 2, 1 estudiante (1%) lo hizo (p<0,001). Las indicaciones para el procedimiento fueron identificadas por 70 estudiantes (71,4 %) en el Blog 1 y por 14 (14,3%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001). En los comentarios sobre la publicación del procedimiento, se identificaron 8 (8,2 %) en el Blog 1 y 31 (31,6%) en el Blog 2, con una significación de p<0,001. En lo que respecta a la interfaz del blog, 19 estudiantes (19,4%) identificaron el objetivo de esta en el Blog 1 y 10 estudiantes (10,2%) en el Blog 2 (p=0,035); en cuanto al hecho de que tiene enlaces de publicidad, 46 estudiantes (46,9%) lo identificaron en el Blog 1 y 86 (87,8%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001); el interés comercial declarada ha sido identificado por 9 estudiantes (9,2%) en el Blog 1 y por 38 (38,8%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001); declararon identificar conflictos de interés, 11 estudiantes (11,2%) en el Blog 1 y 27 (27,6%) en el Blog 2; observaron la fecha de las últimas actualizaciones, 18 estudiantes (18,4%) en el Blog 1 y 47 (48%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001). Los estudiantes consideran la evaluación de los blogs positiva en lo que respecta al interfaz y algunas variables del contenido, y aún así no lo indican. A partir de esto, se puede afirmar que, a pesar de que los estudiantes creen en la validez de la estructura e del contenido de los blogs, no los consideran fiables.

O presente estudo objetiva analisar a avaliação de acadêmicos de Enfermagem sobre blogs de cateterismo vesical de demora. Trata-se de uma investigação exploratória e descritiva com abordagem quantitativa, realizada na Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), com 98 estudantes matriculados na 5ª, 6ª ou 7ª etapa do curso, no período de 2014/2. Foram avaliados dois blogs sobre o tema e preenchido o formulário de avaliação. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) versão 21.0, com nível de significância de 5% (p≤0,05). O estudo foi aprovado pela Comissão de Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem (COMPESQ) e pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa da UFRGS (nº 648.653). A autoria dos blogs foi identificada por 96 estudantes (98%) no Blog 1 e por 13 (13%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001). Na identificação da formação profissional do autor do blog, 96 estudantes (98%) indicaram o Blog 1, ao passo que, no Blog 2, 1 estudante (1%) o fez (p<0,001). As indicações do procedimento foram identificadas por 70 estudantes (71,4%) no Blog 1 e por 14 (14,3%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001); em relação aos cuidados antes e após a realização do procedimento, 19 alunos (19,4%) os identificaram no Blog 1 e 8 (8,2%) no Blog 2 (0,013). Os comentários sobre a postagem do procedimento foram identificados por 8 (8,2%) no Blog 1 e por 31 (31,6%) no Blog 2, com significância p<0,001. Quanto à interface do blog, 19 estudantes (19,4%) identificaram o objetivo desta no Blog 1 e 10 estudantes (10,2%) no Blog 2 (p=0,035); 11 (11,2%) assinalaram que o Blog 1 indica links e hiperlinks sobre o procedimento e 30 (30,6%) sobre o Blog 2 (p=0,002). Quanto ao fato de possuir links publicitários, 46 estudantes (46,9%) os identificaram no Blog 1 e 86 (87,8%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001); o interesse comercial declarado foi identificado por 9 alunos (9,2%) no Blog 1 e por 38 (38,8%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001); declararam verificar conflitos de interesse 11 estudantes (11,2%) no Blog 1 e 27 (27,6%) no Blog 2; observaram a data das últimas atualizações 18 estudantes (18,4%) no Blog 1 e 47 (48%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001). Os estudantes consideram positiva a avaliação dos blogs quanto a interface e algumas variáveis do conteúdo, e mesmo assim não os indicam. A partir disto, pode-se afirmar que, apesar de os alunos acreditarem na adequação da estrutura e do conteúdo dos blogs, não os consideram confiáveis. / The objective of this study is to analyze the evaluation of Nursing students about blogs with posts describing indwelling catheterization. This is an exploratory and descriptive study with a quantitative approach, which was developed in the Nursing School of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), with 98 students registered in the 5th, 6th or 7th period of the course, in 2014/2. Two blogs about the subject were evaluated and a form for the evaluation was completed. Data were analyzed through the program Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0, with significance of 5% (p≤0.05). The study was approved by the Research Committee of the Nursing School (COMPESQ) and by UFRGS's Research Ethics Committee (n. 648.653). The authorship of the blogs was identified by 96 students (98%) in Blog 1 and by 13 (13%) in Blog 2 (p<0.001). Regarding the identification of the professional training of the blog's author, 96 students (98%) indicated Blog 1 while only 1 student (1%) indicated Blog 2. The indications for the procedure were identified by 70 students (71.4%) in Blog 1 and by 14 (14.3%) in Blog 2 (p<0.001); concerning care before and after the procedure, 19 students (19.4%) identified it in Blog 1 and 8 students (8.2%) in Blog 2 (0.013). The comments related to the post about the procedure were identified by 8 (8.2%) in Blog 1 and by 31 (31.6%) in Blog 2, with significance of p<0.001. Regarding the blogs' interface, 19 students (19.4%) identified the objective of it in Blog 1 and 10 students (10.2%) in Blog 2 (p=0.035); 11 (11.2%) said that Blog 1 presents links and hyperlinks about the procedure and 30 (30.6%) said the same about Blog 2 (p=0.002). About the fact of having advertising links, 46 students (46.9%) identified them in Blog 1 and 86 (87.8%) in Blog 2 (p<0.001); the declared commercial interest was identified by 9 students (9.2%) in Blog 1 and by 38 (38.8%) in Blog 2 (p<0.001); conflicts of interest were seen by 11 students (11.2%) in Blog 1 and by 27 (27.6%) in Blog 2; the last updates' dates were identified in Blog 1 by 18 students (18.4%) and in Blog 2 by 47 students (48%) (p<0.001). The students considered positive the blogs' evaluation regarding their interface and some content variables, yet they would not indicate the blogs. Considering that information, it is possible to say that, despite the students' belief in the appropriateness of the structure and content of the blogs, they do not consider them reliable. / Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la evaluación de los estudiantes de Enfermería sobre los blogs de cateterismo vesical de demora. Se trata de una investigación exploratoria y descriptiva con un enfoque cuantitativo, realizado en la Escuela de Enfermería de la Universidad Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), con 98 estudiantes, matriculados en el 5ª, 6ª o 7ª etapa del curso, en el período de 2014/2. Se evaluaron dos blogs sobre el tema y se rellenó el formulario de evaluación. Los datos fueron analizados mediante el programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), versión 21.0, con un nivel de significación de 5% (p≤0,05). El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Investigación de la Escuela de Enfermería (COMPESQ) y por el Comité de Ética y Investigación de la UFRGS (nº 648.653). La autoria de los blogs fue identificada por 96 estudiantes (98%) en el Blog 1 y por 13 (13%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001). En la identificación de la formación del autor del blog, 96 estudiantes (98%) indicaron el Blog 1, mientras que en el Blog 2, 1 estudiante (1%) lo hizo (p<0,001). Las indicaciones para el procedimiento fueron identificadas por 70 estudiantes (71,4 %) en el Blog 1 y por 14 (14,3%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001). En los comentarios sobre la publicación del procedimiento, se identificaron 8 (8,2 %) en el Blog 1 y 31 (31,6%) en el Blog 2, con una significación de p<0,001. En lo que respecta a la interfaz del blog, 19 estudiantes (19,4%) identificaron el objetivo de esta en el Blog 1 y 10 estudiantes (10,2%) en el Blog 2 (p=0,035); en cuanto al hecho de que tiene enlaces de publicidad, 46 estudiantes (46,9%) lo identificaron en el Blog 1 y 86 (87,8%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001); el interés comercial declarada ha sido identificado por 9 estudiantes (9,2%) en el Blog 1 y por 38 (38,8%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001); declararon identificar conflictos de interés, 11 estudiantes (11,2%) en el Blog 1 y 27 (27,6%) en el Blog 2; observaron la fecha de las últimas actualizaciones, 18 estudiantes (18,4%) en el Blog 1 y 47 (48%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001). Los estudiantes consideran la evaluación de los blogs positiva en lo que respecta al interfaz y algunas variables del contenido, y aún así no lo indican. A partir de esto, se puede afirmar que, a pesar de que los estudiantes creen en la validez de la estructura e del contenido de los blogs, no los consideran fiables.

O presente estudo objetiva analisar a avaliação de acadêmicos de Enfermagem sobre blogs de cateterismo vesical de demora. Trata-se de uma investigação exploratória e descritiva com abordagem quantitativa, realizada na Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), com 98 estudantes matriculados na 5ª, 6ª ou 7ª etapa do curso, no período de 2014/2. Foram avaliados dois blogs sobre o tema e preenchido o formulário de avaliação. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) versão 21.0, com nível de significância de 5% (p≤0,05). O estudo foi aprovado pela Comissão de Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem (COMPESQ) e pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa da UFRGS (nº 648.653). A autoria dos blogs foi identificada por 96 estudantes (98%) no Blog 1 e por 13 (13%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001). Na identificação da formação profissional do autor do blog, 96 estudantes (98%) indicaram o Blog 1, ao passo que, no Blog 2, 1 estudante (1%) o fez (p<0,001). As indicações do procedimento foram identificadas por 70 estudantes (71,4%) no Blog 1 e por 14 (14,3%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001); em relação aos cuidados antes e após a realização do procedimento, 19 alunos (19,4%) os identificaram no Blog 1 e 8 (8,2%) no Blog 2 (0,013). Os comentários sobre a postagem do procedimento foram identificados por 8 (8,2%) no Blog 1 e por 31 (31,6%) no Blog 2, com significância p<0,001. Quanto à interface do blog, 19 estudantes (19,4%) identificaram o objetivo desta no Blog 1 e 10 estudantes (10,2%) no Blog 2 (p=0,035); 11 (11,2%) assinalaram que o Blog 1 indica links e hiperlinks sobre o procedimento e 30 (30,6%) sobre o Blog 2 (p=0,002). Quanto ao fato de possuir links publicitários, 46 estudantes (46,9%) os identificaram no Blog 1 e 86 (87,8%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001); o interesse comercial declarado foi identificado por 9 alunos (9,2%) no Blog 1 e por 38 (38,8%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001); declararam verificar conflitos de interesse 11 estudantes (11,2%) no Blog 1 e 27 (27,6%) no Blog 2; observaram a data das últimas atualizações 18 estudantes (18,4%) no Blog 1 e 47 (48%) no Blog 2 (p<0,001). Os estudantes consideram positiva a avaliação dos blogs quanto a interface e algumas variáveis do conteúdo, e mesmo assim não os indicam. A partir disto, pode-se afirmar que, apesar de os alunos acreditarem na adequação da estrutura e do conteúdo dos blogs, não os consideram confiáveis. / The objective of this study is to analyze the evaluation of Nursing students about blogs with posts describing indwelling catheterization. This is an exploratory and descriptive study with a quantitative approach, which was developed in the Nursing School of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), with 98 students registered in the 5th, 6th or 7th period of the course, in 2014/2. Two blogs about the subject were evaluated and a form for the evaluation was completed. Data were analyzed through the program Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0, with significance of 5% (p≤0.05). The study was approved by the Research Committee of the Nursing School (COMPESQ) and by UFRGS's Research Ethics Committee (n. 648.653). The authorship of the blogs was identified by 96 students (98%) in Blog 1 and by 13 (13%) in Blog 2 (p<0.001). Regarding the identification of the professional training of the blog's author, 96 students (98%) indicated Blog 1 while only 1 student (1%) indicated Blog 2. The indications for the procedure were identified by 70 students (71.4%) in Blog 1 and by 14 (14.3%) in Blog 2 (p<0.001); concerning care before and after the procedure, 19 students (19.4%) identified it in Blog 1 and 8 students (8.2%) in Blog 2 (0.013). The comments related to the post about the procedure were identified by 8 (8.2%) in Blog 1 and by 31 (31.6%) in Blog 2, with significance of p<0.001. Regarding the blogs' interface, 19 students (19.4%) identified the objective of it in Blog 1 and 10 students (10.2%) in Blog 2 (p=0.035); 11 (11.2%) said that Blog 1 presents links and hyperlinks about the procedure and 30 (30.6%) said the same about Blog 2 (p=0.002). About the fact of having advertising links, 46 students (46.9%) identified them in Blog 1 and 86 (87.8%) in Blog 2 (p<0.001); the declared commercial interest was identified by 9 students (9.2%) in Blog 1 and by 38 (38.8%) in Blog 2 (p<0.001); conflicts of interest were seen by 11 students (11.2%) in Blog 1 and by 27 (27.6%) in Blog 2; the last updates' dates were identified in Blog 1 by 18 students (18.4%) and in Blog 2 by 47 students (48%) (p<0.001). The students considered positive the blogs' evaluation regarding their interface and some content variables, yet they would not indicate the blogs. Considering that information, it is possible to say that, despite the students' belief in the appropriateness of the structure and content of the blogs, they do not consider them reliable. / Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la evaluación de los estudiantes de Enfermería sobre los blogs de cateterismo vesical de demora. Se trata de una investigación exploratoria y descriptiva con un enfoque cuantitativo, realizado en la Escuela de Enfermería de la Universidad Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), con 98 estudiantes, matriculados en el 5ª, 6ª o 7ª etapa del curso, en el período de 2014/2. Se evaluaron dos blogs sobre el tema y se rellenó el formulario de evaluación. Los datos fueron analizados mediante el programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), versión 21.0, con un nivel de significación de 5% (p≤0,05). El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Investigación de la Escuela de Enfermería (COMPESQ) y por el Comité de Ética y Investigación de la UFRGS (nº 648.653). La autoria de los blogs fue identificada por 96 estudiantes (98%) en el Blog 1 y por 13 (13%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001). En la identificación de la formación del autor del blog, 96 estudiantes (98%) indicaron el Blog 1, mientras que en el Blog 2, 1 estudiante (1%) lo hizo (p<0,001). Las indicaciones para el procedimiento fueron identificadas por 70 estudiantes (71,4 %) en el Blog 1 y por 14 (14,3%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001). En los comentarios sobre la publicación del procedimiento, se identificaron 8 (8,2 %) en el Blog 1 y 31 (31,6%) en el Blog 2, con una significación de p<0,001. En lo que respecta a la interfaz del blog, 19 estudiantes (19,4%) identificaron el objetivo de esta en el Blog 1 y 10 estudiantes (10,2%) en el Blog 2 (p=0,035); en cuanto al hecho de que tiene enlaces de publicidad, 46 estudiantes (46,9%) lo identificaron en el Blog 1 y 86 (87,8%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001); el interés comercial declarada ha sido identificado por 9 estudiantes (9,2%) en el Blog 1 y por 38 (38,8%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001); declararon identificar conflictos de interés, 11 estudiantes (11,2%) en el Blog 1 y 27 (27,6%) en el Blog 2; observaron la fecha de las últimas actualizaciones, 18 estudiantes (18,4%) en el Blog 1 y 47 (48%) en el Blog 2 (p<0,001). Los estudiantes consideran la evaluación de los blogs positiva en lo que respecta al interfaz y algunas variables del contenido, y aún así no lo indican. A partir de esto, se puede afirmar que, a pesar de que los estudiantes creen en la validez de la estructura e del contenido de los blogs, no los consideran fiables.

Thesis advisor: Lad Tobin / This study examines the emergence of place blogging as an online genre designed to foster a deeper sense of place and to share local knowledge. Focusing on a period between 2003 and 2006, it spotlights a transitional moment in web culture when the relationship between online life and offline life is undergoing an important shift. The bloggers highlighted in this study offer a ground-level view of how ordinary writers and readers participate in the transition to what Eric Gordon calls "network locality," a condition in which the experience of place is increasingly mediated by networked technologies. Because networked life creates an information-saturated environment in which place must compete with everything else for an increasingly scarce resource--human attention--place bloggers redefine blogging as a way to more deliberately and regularly invest attention in place. To do so, they remediate older genres to create a blogging style that differs from the political and technology blogs that were popular at the time: some draw on nature writing and diary writing (essayistic place bloggers) while others tend to draw more heavily on genres of local journalism (journalistic place bloggers). A rhetorical analysis reveals how genre remediation offers place bloggers a range of strategies for managing the flow of attention between self, place, and audience as they interact around digital objects in the network. These insights offer important contributions to scholarly conversions interested in examining how online forms of rhetoric continue to evolve and how our ideas about place are adapting to life in a networked society. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2009. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: English.

This study of forty-nine Christian blogs explores how groups of bloggers in two case studies resist and/or perpetuate hegemonic gender ideologies online and where these bloggers draw authority from for these views. The findings reveal that bloggers are most likely to cite texts as sources of authority and are more likely to affirm authority (78.1%) than to challenge it (25.7%). The bloggers in my sample, who were majority male, use an array of strategies in their efforts to resist hegemonic gender norms. These included, but are not limited to, debating God’s gender, emphasizing women’s roles in the Bible, privileging equality in theological interpretations, redefining masculinity and employing satire and images to delegitimize hegemonic power.

Abstract of the research: What does Dancing Have to Do with Blogging? A  Study of Verbal and Non-verbal Communication among Dance Bloggers Dance, in its essence can be seen as a form of social interaction. Unique role of dancing is the recurrent motif in dance-related theories which underline that dance should not be approached only from the perspective of physical exercise but also interpreted within its social context.  In other words, dance is a symbol of a changing society Dance is can be also seen as a non-verbal expression of emotions. These are projected from the inner subjective world of an individual onto the audience. Non-verbal communication through movement and gestures, as well as spatial arrangement of bodies predominates but the recent trends show the development of a ‘verbal’ dancing occurring online via specialized blogs and social networks. The growing popularity of dance blogs implies a great diversity within the communicative methods used by dancers. The traditional view of dance as a representative of non-verbal interaction will be challenged in this paper and hypothesis stating that the verbal and non-verbal communication are strictly interrelated will be suggested. Moreover, the paper will concentrate on the impact that online blogging communities have on socialization and identity formation among dancers. The research question revolves around the idea that dance blogging demonstrates the need to use verbal signs to complete the predominantly non-verbal communication. Furthermore, the reasons motivating bloggers to write about dance will be analyzed. This will be done in order to demonstrate how attitudes to dancing and communicating as well as dancers’ distinctive ways of socialization are reflected by their belongingness to the blogging community. The investigation attempts at identifying the mechanism behind online interactions among dancers and the ways in which the Internet influences socialization and formation of dancer’s identity. The theories used in study are rooted in both macro- and micro-sociology and their aim is to clarify concepts such as communication, meaning and identification within a group. The data will be collected through interviews conducted with dance bloggers and through the observations of thirty dance blogs. Content analysis of such data will, hopefully, demonstrate how significant blogging is for the online and offline communication processes.