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Abstract ||
Acknowledgements ||
Introduction ||
Literature Review ||
Methodology ||
Data Collection Methods ||
Findings, Results, Interpretation ||
Conclusions, Recommendations ||
References ||
Appendices
Internet electronic mail lists provide a means for groups of individuals to communicate effectively, as well as providing an archive of messages for future analysis.
This dissertation examines one such electronic mail distribution list to identify the range of information that is contained in the metadata of the historical archive of the list. The dissertation quantitatively analyses the list archives to extract information to identify trends and to quantify the changes that have occurred during the list’s existence.
List activity, as expressed in terms of number of messages in a given time period, is shown to vary dramatically. Other measures of activity, including size of messages over time are examined and discussed.
The origins of the messages – by person, country, domain and nature of domain – are examined to extract the full range of details contained within the information stored with each message in the list archives.
Measures of individual activity are provided for the individuals who were the most active participants on the distribution list, as well as those members who only ever contributed one single message.
Information from the message headers and subject lines are examined and compared over the period of the list history. Other activity measures relating to the date and time of postings are examined to identify seasonal, weekly and daily trends in activity on the list. The domain of origin, and where able to be obtained, the country of origin, are determined and analysed to promote a further understanding of the changing nature of the list’s contributors.
The impact of moderation, the rejection and editing of some messages submitted, is analysed in terms of number, size and similar features.
Changes over time in the nature of the participants contributing to the list are quantified, supporting statements that over the twelve years of the list the proportion of scientists, educators and regulators on the list has reduced as the number of hobbyist and commercial beekeepers has increased. Changes in international participation on the list are also examined, with the conclusion that there has probably been a narrowing of participation after a peak in the late 1990's.
Abstract ||
Acknowledgements ||
Introduction ||
Literature Review ||
Methodology ||
Data Collection Methods ||
Findings, Results, Interpretation ||
Conclusions, Recommendations ||
References ||
Appendices