Re: Another Elsevier marketing program gone astray

[Philip Davis <pmd8@cornell.edu>]

Not to defend Elsevier here, but gaming the review system at 
Amazon (and other online shops that feature recommender systems) 
is more common than you think. Other recommender systems, like 
Ratemyprofessor.com are gamed by professors themselves.

A very good article, done by Shay David and Trevor Pinch is worth 
the read:

David, S., & Pinch, T. (2006). Six degrees of reputation: The use 
and abuse of online review and recommendation systems. First 
Monday, 11(3). 
http://firstmonday.org/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/1315/1235

Abstract:

This paper reports initial findings from a study that used 
quantitative and qualitative research methods and custom-built 
software to investigate online economies of reputation and user 
practices in online product reviews at several leading e-commerce 
sites (primarily Amazon.com). We explore several cases in which 
book and CD reviews were copied whole or in part from one item to 
another and show that hundreds of product reviews on Amazon.com 
might be copies of one another. We further explain the strategies 
involved in these suspect product reviews, and the ways in which 
the collapse of the barriers between authors and readers affect 
the ways in which these information goods are being produced and 
exchanged. We report on techniques that are employed by authors, 
artists, editors, and readers to ensure they promote their 
agendas while they build their identities as experts. We suggest 
a framework for discussing the changes of the categories of 
authorship, creativity, expertise, and reputation that are being 
re-negotiated in this multi-tier reputation economy.

--Phil Davis

Joseph Esposito wrote:

> Another disturbing story about marketing practices at Elsevier:
>
> http://bit.ly/526uy
>
> You really have to wonder if nobody is minding the store.
>
> Joe Esposito