Using a psychotechnological perspective, this study discuss the current model of information ranking by search engines, based on quantitative Web Popularity (WP), that binds the user to a cognitive adaptation on the rank-system restrictions. This heterodirected adaptation transposes the “rich-get-richer” effect from technologies to reality. By changing a known popularity ranking through the introduction of an accessibility factor, it is possible to prove that this transformation allows a qualitative rearrangement, without modifying or weighing on the properties of rank. To further this conceptual enlargement, it must ground on two development factors: the analysis of accessibility through specific tools and the employment of this analysis within all components used to build up the ranking. The results show that is important to reconsider the WP not only as a property that is attributed to a website when it is well widespread on Internet by the means of inbound and outbound links, but also when the information is accessible for all users, and when users esteem the website use as efficient, effective, and satisfactory.
Web Popularity: An Illusory Perception of a Qualitative Order in Information
FEDERICI, Stefano;BORSCI, SIMONE;MELE, MARIA LAURA;
2010
Abstract
Using a psychotechnological perspective, this study discuss the current model of information ranking by search engines, based on quantitative Web Popularity (WP), that binds the user to a cognitive adaptation on the rank-system restrictions. This heterodirected adaptation transposes the “rich-get-richer” effect from technologies to reality. By changing a known popularity ranking through the introduction of an accessibility factor, it is possible to prove that this transformation allows a qualitative rearrangement, without modifying or weighing on the properties of rank. To further this conceptual enlargement, it must ground on two development factors: the analysis of accessibility through specific tools and the employment of this analysis within all components used to build up the ranking. The results show that is important to reconsider the WP not only as a property that is attributed to a website when it is well widespread on Internet by the means of inbound and outbound links, but also when the information is accessible for all users, and when users esteem the website use as efficient, effective, and satisfactory.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
