| Web Science (2008) | |||||||||
Abstract | |||||||||
| Our understanding of the Web has not kept pace with its development. It is engineered using formally specified languages and protocols, but has large scale effects on society. Certain human activities – including education – have been altered irretrievably. This article argues for the development of the discipline of Web Science, to understand the reciprocal relationship between the Web and society at a number of scales, from technical protocols to emergent social behaviour, to ensure that the Web’s growth will continue, and will benefit society. The need for both analysis and engineering demands an inherently interdisciplinary approach. With this in mind, a new Web Science Research Initiative is briefly described. | |||||||||
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