an article by Annie Sorbie (University of Edinburgh, UK) published in Evidence and Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice Volume 16 Number 2 (May 2020)
Abstract
In this article I respond to the tendency of the law to approach ‘the public interest’ as a legal test, thereby drawing the criticism that this narrow notion of what purports to be in the public interest is wholly disconnected from the views of actual publics, and lacks social legitimacy.
On the other hand, to simply extrapolate outputs from public engagement work into policy (or indeed law) is equally problematic, and risks being at best ineffective and at worst reinforcing existing inequalities.
Given this apparent disconnect between these conceptions of the public interest, and the shortfalls inherent in each, this article scrutinises this disjuncture.
I argue that the application of a processual lens to the construction of the legal and regulatory role of the public interest sheds light on how legal notions of the public interest, and attitudes of actual publics towards data sharing, might be reconciled. I characterise this processual approach as being iterative and flexible, specifically drawing attention to the way that multiple actors, processes and interests interact, change and evolve over time in the health research endeavour.
This approach is elaborated through two case studies that illustrate how the public interest appears in law (broadly conceived). Its application provides novel insights into the ways in which the public interest can be crafted within and beyond the law to better inform the development of health research regulation.
Full text (PDF 17pp)
Labels:
data, health, processual, public_interest,
Sunday, 28 June 2020
Saturday, 27 June 2020
Behind the screen of Facebook: Identity construction in the rehearsal stage of online interaction
an article by Hannah Ditchfield (University of Sheffield, UK) published in New Media and Society Volume 22 Issue 6 (June 2020)
Abstract
Social media platforms such as Facebook have been understood to present new possibilities for interaction. Yet, there have been concerns surrounding the reducing quality of our interaction and conversation. Such debates, however, have not considered the pre-post dimension of online environments: that is, the preparatory work that occurs to online posts before they are shared with their audience.
Based on real-time recordings of Facebook Messenger interactions, this article asks what the pre-post perspective tells us about the quality of our interactions online. The analysis is theoretically informed by Goffman and methodologically by conversation analysis and addresses this question with a specific focus on processes of identity construction and face.
In presenting innovative screen capture data, this article argues against claims that our interaction online is declining in quality instead showing the ways users perfect their online posts by elaborating a new stage of online communication: the ‘rehearsal’ stage.
Labels:
conversation_analysis, face, Facebook, Goffman, identity, screen_capture, social_interaction,
Abstract
Social media platforms such as Facebook have been understood to present new possibilities for interaction. Yet, there have been concerns surrounding the reducing quality of our interaction and conversation. Such debates, however, have not considered the pre-post dimension of online environments: that is, the preparatory work that occurs to online posts before they are shared with their audience.
Based on real-time recordings of Facebook Messenger interactions, this article asks what the pre-post perspective tells us about the quality of our interactions online. The analysis is theoretically informed by Goffman and methodologically by conversation analysis and addresses this question with a specific focus on processes of identity construction and face.
In presenting innovative screen capture data, this article argues against claims that our interaction online is declining in quality instead showing the ways users perfect their online posts by elaborating a new stage of online communication: the ‘rehearsal’ stage.
Labels:
conversation_analysis, face, Facebook, Goffman, identity, screen_capture, social_interaction,
Friday, 26 June 2020
Why feelings trump facts: anti-politics, citizenship and emotion
an article by Matthew Flinders (University of Sheffield, UK) published in Emotions and Society Volume 2 Number 1 (May 2020)
Abstract
This article seeks to explore and emphasise the role of emotions as a key variable in terms of understanding both the rise of anti-political sentiment and its manifestation in forms of ethno-populism.
It argues that the changing emotional landscape has generally been overlooked in analyses that seek to comprehend contemporary social and political change.
This argument matters, not only due to the manner in which it challenges dominant interpretations of the populist signal but also because it poses more basic questions about the limits of knowledge and evidential claims in an increasingly polarised, fractious and emotive contemporary context. The core argument concerning the existence of an emotional disconnection and why ‘feelings trump facts’ is therefore as significant for social and political scientists as it is for politicians and policy makers.
Labels:
anchorage, anti-politics, citizenship, emotions, imagination, populism,
Abstract
This article seeks to explore and emphasise the role of emotions as a key variable in terms of understanding both the rise of anti-political sentiment and its manifestation in forms of ethno-populism.
It argues that the changing emotional landscape has generally been overlooked in analyses that seek to comprehend contemporary social and political change.
This argument matters, not only due to the manner in which it challenges dominant interpretations of the populist signal but also because it poses more basic questions about the limits of knowledge and evidential claims in an increasingly polarised, fractious and emotive contemporary context. The core argument concerning the existence of an emotional disconnection and why ‘feelings trump facts’ is therefore as significant for social and political scientists as it is for politicians and policy makers.
Labels:
anchorage, anti-politics, citizenship, emotions, imagination, populism,
Thursday, 25 June 2020
Career, Family, and Workforce Mobility: An Interdisciplinary Conversation
an article by Wendy Patton and Catherine Doherty (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia) published in Journal of Career Development Volume 47 Issue 3 (June 2020)
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to synthesise conceptual and empirical work from the fields of both sociology and career development to explore how issues of career, family, and workforce mobility are necessarily interrelated.
The use of work from sociology and career development demonstrates that the complexities of family solutions to career mobility undo the apparent simplicity of delivering a worker to a new worksite.
Although organisations and governments work to develop policies that incentivise mobility, including transport infrastructure, housing, employment conditions, and tax incentives, these will not necessarily address the private concerns and priorities of families.
This article argues for an interdisciplinary approach to better understand the intersubjective complexities implicated in the growing phenomenon and expectation of worker mobility and suggests both areas and design strategies for further research.
Labels:
career, workforce_mobility, family, interdisciplinarity,
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to synthesise conceptual and empirical work from the fields of both sociology and career development to explore how issues of career, family, and workforce mobility are necessarily interrelated.
The use of work from sociology and career development demonstrates that the complexities of family solutions to career mobility undo the apparent simplicity of delivering a worker to a new worksite.
Although organisations and governments work to develop policies that incentivise mobility, including transport infrastructure, housing, employment conditions, and tax incentives, these will not necessarily address the private concerns and priorities of families.
This article argues for an interdisciplinary approach to better understand the intersubjective complexities implicated in the growing phenomenon and expectation of worker mobility and suggests both areas and design strategies for further research.
Labels:
career, workforce_mobility, family, interdisciplinarity,
Wednesday, 24 June 2020
Are machines stealing our jobs?
Andrea Gentili (Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma, Italy), Fabiano Compagnucci (Gran Sasso Science Institute, L’Aquila, Italy), Mauro Gallegati (Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy) and Enzo Valentini (Università degli Studi di Macerata, Italy) published in Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society Volume 13 Issue 1 (March 2020)
Abstract
This study aims to contribute empirical evidence to the debate about the future of work in an increasingly robotised world.
We implement a data-driven approach to study the technological transition in six leading Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
First, we perform a cross-country and cross-sector cluster analysis based on the OECD-STAN database.
Second, using the International Federation of Robotics database, we bridge these results with those regarding the sectoral density of robots.
We show that the process of robotisation is industry- and country-sensitive. In the future, participants in the political and academic debate may be split into optimists and pessimists regarding the future of human labour; however, the two stances may not be contradictory.
JEL Classification: E24, E66, J24
Full text (PDF 21pp)
Labels:
robotisation, labour_dislocation, cluster_analysis,
Abstract
This study aims to contribute empirical evidence to the debate about the future of work in an increasingly robotised world.
We implement a data-driven approach to study the technological transition in six leading Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
First, we perform a cross-country and cross-sector cluster analysis based on the OECD-STAN database.
Second, using the International Federation of Robotics database, we bridge these results with those regarding the sectoral density of robots.
We show that the process of robotisation is industry- and country-sensitive. In the future, participants in the political and academic debate may be split into optimists and pessimists regarding the future of human labour; however, the two stances may not be contradictory.
JEL Classification: E24, E66, J24
Full text (PDF 21pp)
Labels:
robotisation, labour_dislocation, cluster_analysis,
Monday, 22 June 2020
Choice and control in social care: Experiences of older self‐funders in England
an article by Kate Baxter and Yvonne Birks (University of York, UK) and Emily Heavey (University of Huddersfield, UK) published in Social Policy and Administration Volume 54 Issue 3 (May 2020)
Abstract
This paper considers the experiences of older self‐funders in England in the context of policies promoting choice and control.
Self‐funders are people who are not state‐funded; they pay for social care from their own resources. Choice and control have been operationalised through personal budgets, based on the assumption that managing resources enhances ability to access appropriate care and support.
This paper uses data from 40 qualitative interviews with self‐funders and their relatives, and 19 with professionals. It explores the impact of the financial and social capital that self‐funders are assumed to have and asks how older self‐funders experience choice and control.
The study found that older self‐funders drew on personal experiences, family, and friends for information; were reluctant to spend their wealth on care due to competing priorities; and felt they had more control over the timing of decisions than people who were state‐funded.
Personal wealth appears to be perceived differently to funds “gifted” to people through cash for care schemes.
Full text (PDF 15pp)
Labels:
self-funders, choice_and_control, social_care, older_people,
Abstract
This paper considers the experiences of older self‐funders in England in the context of policies promoting choice and control.
Self‐funders are people who are not state‐funded; they pay for social care from their own resources. Choice and control have been operationalised through personal budgets, based on the assumption that managing resources enhances ability to access appropriate care and support.
This paper uses data from 40 qualitative interviews with self‐funders and their relatives, and 19 with professionals. It explores the impact of the financial and social capital that self‐funders are assumed to have and asks how older self‐funders experience choice and control.
The study found that older self‐funders drew on personal experiences, family, and friends for information; were reluctant to spend their wealth on care due to competing priorities; and felt they had more control over the timing of decisions than people who were state‐funded.
Personal wealth appears to be perceived differently to funds “gifted” to people through cash for care schemes.
Full text (PDF 15pp)
Labels:
self-funders, choice_and_control, social_care, older_people,
Sunday, 21 June 2020
Different platforms for different patients’ needs: Automatic content analysis of different online health information platforms
an article by Remco Sanders, Annemiek J. Linn, Theo B. Araujo, Rens Vliegenthart and Julia C.M. van Weert (University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands) and Mies C. van Eenbergen (Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, Utrecht, the Netherlands) published in International Journal of Human-Computer Studies Volume 137 (May 2020)
Highlights
Abstract
Prior online health research has mainly focused on the predictors or outcomes of online health information, leaving online health information itself understudied.
Therefore, online health information has remained an umbrella term encompassing different platforms (expert- vs. peer-generated). A hybrid method that combines qualitative and computational methods is used to identify different topics discussed on these different platforms, and an initial model of patients’ social support needs was developed and applied to data obtained from the hybrid method.
Using topic modelling (Nposts = 52.990), topics on two expert- and two peer-generated platforms were identified.
Differences between and within platforms were found.
While peer-generated platforms mainly covered interaction on emotional support topics, expert-generated platforms covered informational topics. Within peer-generated platforms, patients used their experiences differently.
Labels;
information_seeking_behaviour, online_health_information, information_needs, cancer, automatic_content_analysis, model_of_patients’_social_support_needs,
Highlights
- Peer-generated platforms mostly contain content on affective support needs whereas expert-generated platforms mostly contain content on cognitive support needs.
- Coupling topic modelling and a-priori defined theoretical models in a hybrid method proof to be useful in analysing online health information data.
- In line with the optimal matching model, patients should be referred to, or seek out, specific platforms depending on their needs.
Abstract
Prior online health research has mainly focused on the predictors or outcomes of online health information, leaving online health information itself understudied.
Therefore, online health information has remained an umbrella term encompassing different platforms (expert- vs. peer-generated). A hybrid method that combines qualitative and computational methods is used to identify different topics discussed on these different platforms, and an initial model of patients’ social support needs was developed and applied to data obtained from the hybrid method.
Using topic modelling (Nposts = 52.990), topics on two expert- and two peer-generated platforms were identified.
Differences between and within platforms were found.
While peer-generated platforms mainly covered interaction on emotional support topics, expert-generated platforms covered informational topics. Within peer-generated platforms, patients used their experiences differently.
Labels;
information_seeking_behaviour, online_health_information, information_needs, cancer, automatic_content_analysis, model_of_patients’_social_support_needs,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
