2009 Awards for Excellence

2009 Awards for Excellence

Article Type: Awards for Excellence From: Journal of Documentation, Volume 65, Issue 6

The following article was selected for this year's Outstanding Paper Award for

Journal of Documentation

"Credibility on the internet: shifting from authority to reliability''

R. David Lankes

School of Information Studies, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA

Purpose – This paper seeks to understand how users determine credibility in the internet environment from a conceptual level and the implications of these new methods of credibility determination on internet tools (primarily software) and services. Design/methodology/approach – The author first examines the underlying reasons for increased dependence on the internet for information, using electronic commerce as a starting-point. The central concept of ``information self-sufficiency'' is introduced and then examined through the lens of the internet and conversation theory. Findings – The author finds that users are shifting from more traditional ``authority'' methods of credibility determination, where users cede determinations to trusted third parties, to a ``reliability'' approach where users seek commonalities and coherence among multiple information sources. This has led to an increased pressure for participation and openness at all levels of the internet. Research limitations/implications – Studies on users and credibility must better account for often invisible technical factors. Practical implications – Libraries must take into account a greater need for participation and technical fluency when dealing with patrons, particularly in information literacy programs and instruction. Originality/value – The paper presents a large-scale conceptual approach to credibility on the internet. It seeks to inform current approaches to the subject nested in communications and instruction with the unique technical environment of the internet. Keywords Information science, Internet, Library users, Trust, User studieswww.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/00220410810899709

This article originally appeared in Volume 64 Number 5, 2008, pp. 687-96, Journal of Documentation

The following articles were selected for this year's Highly Commended Award

"Negotiations on information-seeking expertise: a study of web-based tutorials for information literacy''

Olof Sundin

This article originally appeared in Volume 64 Number 1, 2008, Journal of Documentation

"Yield sequences as journal attractivity indicators: `pay back times' for science and nature''

Liming Liang

Ronald Rousseau

This article originally appeared in Volume 64 Number 2, 2008, Journal of Documentation