Interaction on the Web: Scholars' Judgment of Information Quality and Cognitive Authority

A study of scholars’ judgments of information quality and cognitive authority when interacting with information in the World Wide Web found that the subjects made two kinds of judgments: before they looked at some web pages (predictive judgment) and after they look at it (evaluative judgment).

Abstract

This paper reports on a study of scholars ’ judgments of information quality and cognitive authority when interacting with information in the World Wide Web. This is the second in a series of studies on information quality and cognitive authority in the Web. The first study obtained data through retrospective accounts, and this study collected the data based on actual searching behaviors. Multiple data collection methods were utilized, combining verbal protocols during the searches, search logs, and post-search interviews. The scholars, recruited from diverse discipline areas, conducted four searches regarding four different tasks: research project, travel, medicine, and computer price. It was found that the subjects made two kinds of judgments: before they looked at some web pages (predictive judgment) and after they looked at it (evaluative judgment). Their judgments were analyzed in terms of facets indicating information quality, cognitive authority, topical interests, aesthetic aspects, and affective aspects. The factors influencing each judgment of quality and authority were identified, including major categories in characteristics of information objects, characteristics of sources, knowledge, and situation.