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Online Communities and Social Cohesion

Online Communities and Social Cohesion. Sara Ferlander SCHEMA University of Stirling Scotland. Definitions. Computer-Supported Community Network (CSCN) - a Community Connected to an Intranet dealing with local issues

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Online Communities and Social Cohesion

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  1. Online Communities and Social Cohesion Sara Ferlander SCHEMA University of Stirling Scotland

  2. Definitions • Computer-Supported Community Network (CSCN) - a Community Connected to an Intranet dealing with local issues • Social Cohesion - existence of Support, Networks, Trust and Local Identity • Social Inclusion - Participation in the Community

  3. Research Question • To what extent can the use of C&IT (Communication and Information Technology) (re-)create social inclusion and cohesion in local communities?

  4. Literature • C&IT as a vehicle for enhancing Cohesion and Inclusion. • C&IT as a Threat to Cohesion and Inclusion.

  5. Literature • “Just as TV produces couch potatoes, so online culture creates mouse potatoes, people who hide from real life and spend their whole life goofing off in cyberspace.” (McClelland, 1994:10) • “People in virtual communities … exchange pleasantries and argue, engage in intellectual discourse, conduct, exchange knowledge, share emotional support, make plans, brainstorm, gossip, feud, fall in love, find friends and loose them, play games, flirt, create a little high art and a lot of idle talk. People in virtual communities do just about everything people do in real life, but we leave our bodies behind.” (Rheingold, 1993:3)

  6. Research Objects • Three levels: • Communities in Sweden and Scotland • Computer-Supported Community Networks • Local Residents

  7. Access • Availability - Connection at Home for everybody • Cost - as cheap as possible • Ease of Use - Set Top Boxes

  8. Research Aims • Who is the user and who is left out? • Is participation enhanced? • Are contacts and support increased?

  9. Research Methods • Methods: combination of quantitative and qualitative; survey, interviews and observation • Questionnaire: Swedish version in field; English (Scottish) translation to follow • Questions: looking at participation, support, identity, experience with C&IT

  10. Importance of the Study • Expansion of C&IT: emergence of the Information Society • Threats and Opportunities re Social Cohesion: new forms of Exclusion or Inclusion • How general are the effects: Cross-Cultural study is necessary

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