Dichotomous and continuous views of deception: A reexamination of deception ratings in information manipulation theory

Several recent theoretical approaches, including Information Manipulation Theory (IMT), propose that deceptive messages are best understood as varying along two or more dimensions. At the same time, researchers have increasingly moved from dichotomous deception judgments to continuous deception ratings. This paper questions the validity of scaling degrees of deceptiveness along a single dimension, and argues that gradations in message features do not necessarily translate into degrees of deceit. Most conceptual definitions of deception treat deception as a binary construct, and the continuous scaling of perceptions of deceptiveness may confound perceptions of measure features, degrees of moral condemnation, and judgmental confidence with perceptions of deception. A study (N = 194) is reported that replicates previous tests of IMT with both continuous and dichotomous measures of deception. The results show that the data remain consistent with IMT when dichotomous judgments are examined. However, comparing the results from dichotomous and continuous measures, and examining of the distributions of continuous deception ratings qualify previous IMT findings. The implications for measuring deception are discussed.     

Network technologies for information warfare and manipulation of public opinion

This paper explores the impact of new information technologies on the development of social communication and social systems. The properties and features of the modern information environment are analyzed. The factors and technologies of information warfare and confrontation are investigated. The role of information communication technologies in the operation of social-network movements is demonstrated. The means and methods of the mass media, social networks, and destructive network technologies that are applied to manipulate group behavior and to transform public opinion are exposed. The potential of sociodynamics as a new instrument of targeted impact on social systems is explored. Possible risks and threats that face the development of telecommunication systems and networks are assessed. Conclusions and relevant activities are formulated to prevent the rise of information confrontations and to mitigate hidden impacts and threats to the country’s social-economic, scientific, and technological development.     

Modeling score distributions in information retrieval

We review the history of modeling score distributions, focusing on the mixture of normal-exponential by investigating the theoretical as well as the empirical evidence supporting its use. We discuss previously suggested conditions which valid binary mixture models should satisfy, such as the Recall-Fallout Convexity Hypothesis, and formulate two new hypotheses considering the component distributions, individually as well as in pairs, under some limiting conditions of parameter values. From all the mixtures suggested in the past, the current theoretical argument points to the two gamma as the most-likely universal model, with the normal-exponential being a usable approximation. Beyond the theoretical contribution, we provide new experimental evidence showing vector space or geometric models, and BM25, as being ‘friendly’ to the normal-exponential, and that the non-convexity problem that the mixture possesses is practically not severe. Furthermore, we review recent non-binary mixture models, speculate on graded relevance, and consider methods such as logistic regression for score calibration.     

The properties of the activities of regional information and analytical services

The problems of the state’s reformation and changing of technologies of administrative management and municipal government are considered using the example of the Novgorod Region, the nature and difficulties of analytical support in regional administration are distinguished, and the role of technologies of situation control and the importance of managers of analytical structures are shown.     

论期刊影响因子人为操纵的识别

近年来,期刊影响因子的人为操纵受到学术界广泛关注,期刊过度自引成为人为操纵影响因子的重要手段.期刊自引率是识别影响因子人为操纵的敏感指标,但对小集团内部期刊互引和其他形式人为操纵的识别却无能为力.在该研究中,深度挖掘了自引率、扩散因子、被引半衰期、开放因子和互引指数在期刊影响因子人为操纵识别中的应用.     

Understanding the psychometric properties of the humor assessment instrument through an analysis of the relationships between teacher humor assessment and instructional communication variables in the college classroom

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the newly developed Humor Assessment (HA) instrument. Previous research (Wrench & McCroskey, 2001) noted a construct validity problem with the Humor Orientation (HO) scale created by M. Booth‐Butterfield and S. Booth‐Butterfield (1991). This study examined the relationships between the HA, which corrects the construct validity problem seen in the HO, and affective learning, nonverbal immediacy, cognitive learning, learning loss, student motivation, and teacher credibility.     

Latitude of attitude in ratings of dialect variations

Linguistic attitudes toward dialect patterns were examined through methodological refinements in the use of the semantic differential. Subjects rated their stereotypes and the actual language of children on modified semantic differential scales designed to elicit latitudes of acceptance, rejection, and noncommitment as well as best estimate position. Results validated the two factor model of confidence‐eagerness and ethnicity‐nonstandardness. Three specific research questions regarding the modified technique are discussed.     

The properties of information support and the program-technological complex for preparing an Internet-Encyclopedia on Ecology

The technology for creating an Internet-Encyclopedia on Ecology is described. The Encyclopedia consists of two main functional blocks: the block for preparing the encyclopedia database for publication on the Internet and the block providing a user access to the materials of the Encyclopedia that are placed on a website. The block for preparing ensures the input, accumulation, and storage of encyclopedia articles, their editing, provision with illustrations, cross references, and also data for realizing search mechanisms and auxiliary information. The second block ensures service opportunities when using the encyclopedia in the Internet.The preparation for the edition of “The Russian Ecological Encyclopedia” in the printed form has been started in parallel with realizing this project for an internet-encyclopedia.     

信息技术的发展对信息弱势群体信息行为的影响

文章通过问卷调查和随机访谈的方法,获取柳州市信息弱势群体的信息行为的相关数据,利用质性和量化的方法进行实证分析,揭示了在信息技术快速发展的环境下信息弱势群体一些具有重要意义的信息行为特征,为优化信息弱势群体的信息服务提供定量依据和帮助。     

信息商品化对信息公平的影响

从分析信息商品的特殊性入手,阐述了信息商品化的现状,着重从建立社会信息公平的角度出发,论述信息商品化存在的问题和应采取的决策导向。     

Health information seeking in the information society

This article is the second student contribution to the Dissertations into Practice feature. It reports on a study that investigated the everyday health information-seeking practices of a small group of the 'general public' and the implications for information-seeking theory and health information provision. The first student article, about the implementation of radio frequency identification (RFID) in a hospital library, was very different, and the two articles illustrate the broad spectrum of possible subjects for the Dissertations into Practice feature. This study was conducted in summer 2011 by Abir Mukherjee for his MSc dissertation in the Library and Information Sciences programme at City University London. Further information and copies of the full dissertation may be obtained from Abir Mukherjee or David Bawden. AM.     

The indices of scientific productivity and ratings of domestic universities

This paper discusses the different worldwide ratings of universities, viz., the British, Shanghai, Taiwanese, and Russian ratings. The indices of scientific productivity and citation of the teaching staff (teaching staff) of universities, reflected in the Web of Science, Essential Science Indicators, Journal Citation Reports, or SCOPUS DBs, are noted to be an important component of these ratings. It is emphasized that the structure of domestic science significantly differs from the structure of science in other countries of the world, where science is carried out predominately at universities. The increasing necessity for domestic universities to be found in global ratings imposes a number of new tasks on the librarian and scientific-information service of teaching staffs.     

Predicting attitude from desirability and likelihood ratings of rhetorical propositions

This report focuses on two antecedent variables, dogmatism and need for social approval of the receivers. The study tested whether either antecedent variable would affect the relationship between message strategy and resistance to persuasion.     

论信息构建与企业信息空间

信息构建(IA)在协助人们有效组织和利用信息方面起着重要作用。文章在简要介绍信息构建的基础上,分析了企业信息空间的构成,将信息构建的应用扩展到企业信息空间,探讨了在优化企业信息空间过程中信息构建的作用和实施原则。