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Dissertation Information for Hsia-Ching Chang

NAME:
- Hsia-Ching Chang

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- SUNY, Albany (USA) (2011)

ADVISORS:
- Hemalata Iyer

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Philip Eppard
- Terry Maxwell
- Kathleen Deloughery

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: Rehashing Information Architecture: Exploring Human-Information Interaction Of Collaborative Tagging Using Twitter Hashtags

Abstract: Considering Twitter and its hashtag function as innovations, this research applied diffusion of innovations (DoI) theory to understand Twitter adoption and hashtag diffusion. This study utilized a mixed-methods methodology, triangulating automatic data collection from the API platforms of Twitter applications, secondary data collection, and a comparative case study, to aggregate Twitter adoption and trend data. Three parallel individual empirical studies analyzing the data were conducted to explore the Web information architecture (IA) measurement issues in the context of Twitter adoption and hashtags diffusion. The three studies also served as empirical manifestations of the information interaction between Twitter users and hashtags. From a macro-perspective, the first study explored the role of diffusion models in predicting the growth of Twitter adoption and hashtags diffusion. Examining from a micro-perspective, the second and third studies were case studies of two contrasting use scenarios, addressing the relationship between hashtag uses and either static or dynamic Web IA. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis provided suggestions for integrating diffusion of innovations theory and Web information architecture with information interaction theory to examine collaborative tagging using Twitter hashtags. Such an integrated perspective contributed to building accessible bridges to an interdisciplinary inquiry of information technology/system adoption and diffusion.

The power of social contagion explained the rapid increase in Twitter adoption over the last five years, and the diffusion of Twitter hashtags defined trends. The imitation effect through word-of-mouth communication on hashtag diffusion was significant. Hashtag diffusion acted both directly on hashtag adoption and indirectly as interactive communication promoting hashtag awareness. The contexts of hashtag use significantly influenced the user information interaction experience and appeared driven by user goals. Similar to ad hoc categories, hashtags appear to assist users in describing goals related to their daily events or experiences. As wayfinding cues, Twitter hashtags helped signify shared content of interest to draw ttention to relevant tweets. Since the Library of Congress announced the decision to archive all public Twitter messages on April 14th 2010, DoI research on Twitter hashtag uuser ase can improve design considerations of hashtags as archival finding aids.

MPACT Scores for Hsia-Ching Chang

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2012-07-26 14:17:29

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