Editorial
Abstract
Introduction
Aims
Literature Review
Case Studies
Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Case Studies Index
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Review of graphical environments on the WWW as a means of widening public participation in social science research
Steve Carver, Richard Kingston & Ian Turton
School of Geography
University of Leeds
Leeds, LS2 9JT
United Kingdom
Email: steve@geog.leeds.ac.uk
This report is also available at: http://www.ccg.leeds.ac.uk/agocg
Abstract
The World Wide Web (WWW or 'web') is viewed as an increasingly important
resource for social science researchers that has the potential to provide
direct access to vast amounts of relevant data should they be prepared to
embrace the technology and the opportunities it represents. The key to the
web's attractiveness to the wider public audience is its highly graphical
nature and its multi-media content. Social scientists should be tapping into
this resource, not only as a means of presenting the results of their research
in an exciting and user-friendly format, but also as a new way of gathering
data from the information 'cyberspace' and directly from its growing population
of users.
This Case Study address the various technical and theoretical issues
surrounding the use of the WWW as a source of information and as a mechanism
for public participation in social science research. Five detailed examples of
selected participatory web sites together with a general overview of the state
of web design in relation to public participation in social science research
are used to generate discussion from which to draw conclusions and make
recommendations.
The main findings are:
- There is a great deal of discussion surrounding the potential
use of the WWW as a vehicle for social science research. However, with the
exception of a few on-line questionnaire surveys, very little of the discussion
has yet materialised into action.
- There is a great deal of social science relevant information on the web, but there are many difficult issues
surrounding both its use and accessibility, including problems of sample bias
and confidentiality.
- The main advantages of adopting a web-based approach to
social science research are increased sample size, targeted sample populations,
interactivity, multi-media presentation of surveys and results, and active
participation.
- The key role of the WWW in the social sciences is principally in
the dissemination of the results of social science research and in making data
and tools available for public use. This is important in closing the awareness
gap between academics and the public and in providing an end-user
service.
The main recommendations are:
- There is a basic need for education about the opportunities and
pit-falls which web-based surveys and systems can offer. A resource of software
tools and literature on best practice should be developed to give users the
best possible advice on how to undertake web-based social science research and
give assistance when and where required.
- There is a need to create examples of
well designed and innovative interfaces that encourage participation and use.
These could be used as models of good practice to encourage other social
science researchers to use similar approaches as appropriate.
- There is a need to
raise public awareness of the value of social science research through the
dissemination of research results and tools via the WWW. One way of ensuring
nation wide coverage may be through well advertised media events.
- There needs to
be a greater emphasis on the role that social science can play in providing a
WWW-based public service, both in access to datasets and graphics tools. Good
examples include the Friends of the Earth Chemical Release Inventory, the
Institute of Fiscal Studies' Be Your Own Chancellor model and the East St.
Louis Local Action Research Project and associated GIS-based East St. Louis
Geographic Retrieval System.
Future developments are likely to see further
experimental web-based social science research coming on-line in the next few
years, while the wider development of the WWW as an accepted information medium
will see improved public and political awareness of what is possible in this
growing field. The social science community as a whole needs to be aware of
these developments and exploit the new technology as
appropriate.
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