A study of reviews and ratings on the internet

ABSTRACT

Many online sites use rating and review systems to attract new users by providing diverse opinions from their users. However, there is not much research on how to design these types of systems better. In this research, we explore how people perceive reviews and ratings on the Internet in order to inform the design of rating and review systems. In this ongoing project, we have conducted preliminary user studies to uncover the ways people use and perceive reviews and ratings on the Internet. Our initial findings show some interesting insights about different personal interpretation and utilization of ratings and reviews in different contexts. We conclude by listing recommendations for designers of online rating and review systems.

REFERENCES

• 1: Masum, Hassan, and Yi-Cheng Zhang. 2004. Manifesto for the Reputation Society. First Monday 9 (7).
• 2: Paul Resnick , Ko Kuwabara , Richard Zeckhauser , Eric Friedman, Reputation systems, Communications of the ACM, v.43 n.12, p.45-48, Dec. 2000 [doi>10.1145/355112.355122]
• 3: ebay.com {Website} cited 12/11/04. Available from www.ebay.com.
• 4: Epinions.com {Website} cited 12/12/04. Available from www.epinions.com.
• 5: Google.com {Website} cited 12/12/04. Available from www.google.com.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.m Miscellaneous

Keywords:
feedback, rating, review, the internet