Blogs - the new source of data analysis

Blogs are a new and intriguing form of communication and personal expression. Researchers are

only just beginning to realise the value that these media present as sources of data for research.

This paper begins to unveil the untapped potential that the blogosphere provides for research. The

paper begins by introducing blogs, explaining their evolution and the important role they play in

society.

A major contribution to knowledge comes from the papers analysis of the motivation behind

blogging - providing a framework of seven different motivational schemes. Building on this, the

paper explores why blogs are a valuable and reliable source of data for analysis. The paper illustrates

how blogs can be used for analysis, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of their

use. The paper concludes with a brief note on some of the ethical considerations of using blogs

for research.