The slides from my UBC presentation on the fundamental of blogging for health researchers.

1. Fundamentals of
journalism:
Blogging
Alfred Hermida
UBC Graduate School of
Journalism
March 26 2010

2. First BBC live blogger
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/annabelb/

3. Agenda
Blogs, eh?
Why blog
Blogging tips
Examples of science blogs
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinprick/

4. What is a blog?
A frequently updated website consisting of
personal observations, excerpts from other
sources, etc., typically run by a single person, and
usually with hyperlinks to other sites; an online
journal or diary.
Oxford English Dictionary

5. What is a blog?
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lij/

6. What is a blog?
A blog is a website, usually maintained by an
individual with regular entries of commentary,
descriptions of events, or other material such as
graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed
in reverse-chronological order.
Many blogs provide commentary or news on a
particular subject; others function as more
personal online diaries. A typical blog combines
text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages,
and other media related to its topic.
Wikipedia

7. What is a blog?
Photo:http://www.flickr.com/photos/barnett/

8. Blog qualities
Most recent post at the top
Often personal or subjective writing
style, generally informal and
conversational tone
Brevity – short, to the point, posts,
rather than rambling entries
Links
Ability of readers to leave comments

9. Types of blogs
Vanity blogs
Expert blogs
Professional blogs
Corporate blogs
Project blogs
Blogs can overlap, evolve,
change
Photo:http://www.flickr.com/photos/minifig/

10. Blogging examples

11. Why blog?
Outreach to broaden science
communication
Demythologise science
Make science accessible
Discuss science politics
Engage in a conversation about
science
Become part of a community
Personal profile
Photo:http://www.flickr.com/photos/shellysblogger/

12. Costs of blogging
Time commitment
Dealing with trolls
Institutional factors
Photo:http://www.flickr.com/photos/dunechaser/

13. Tips for a successful blog
Have a focus
A place for critical thinking
Value to the audience
Engage with the community
Make it personal
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cibergaita/

14. Jennifer Gardy
http://www.globecampus.ca/
blogs/nerd-girl/

15. Jennifer Jacquet
http://scienceblogs.com/guiltyplanet/

16. Science blogs
http://scienceblogs.com/

17. http://scienceblogs.com/
Nature blogs
http://blogs.nature.com/

18. I want a blog. What now?
http://blogs.ubc.ca/

19. I want a blog. What now?
Wordpress.com
MovableType.org
Blogger.com
Tumblr.com
Posterous.com

20. Clive Thompson: Contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine, columnist
for Wired magazine and blogger at http://www.collisiondetection.net/

21. Clive Thompson: Contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine, columnist
for Wired magazine and blogger at http://www.collisiondetection.net/

22. Thank you
@hermida
alfred.hermida@ubc.ca
http://reportr.net

23. Thank you
@hermida
alfred.hermida@ubc.ca
http://reportr.net

24. Blogging @ the BBC
Often it is as far from
journalism as it is possible to
get, with unsubstantiated
rumour, prejudice and gossip
masquerading as informed
opinion. Without editors to
correct syntax, tidy up the
story structure or check facts,
it is generally impossible to rely
on anything one finds in a blog
without verifying it somewhere
else. (BBC News website, 2003)

25. Blogging @ the BBC
Dissemination of information
is great, but how much of it is
trustworthy? They are an
interesting phenomenon, but I
don't think they will be as
talked about in a year's time.
Mike Smartt, former editor in
chief, BBC News Online, 2003