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Structure and flexibility in global research design Methodological choices in landscape study of public access in 25 countries

Structure and flexibility in global research design Methodological choices in landscape study of... Purpose – This paper aims to present the research methodology for the global study “Landscape of public access to ICT in 25 countries” (referred to as the Landscape study), a study conducted in 2007‐2009 by the University of Washington's Center for Information and Society, with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Design/methodology/approach – The study looked at public access venues (public libraries, telecenters, cybercafés, other) that offer public access to information, especially through information and communication technologies (ICT), in 25 countries around the world. Findings – The paper describes here the criteria for the country selection, selection of local research partners in each country, research design considerations, data analysis, and limitations of the study. Practical implications – The scope of the research undertook meant sacrificing some depth in exchange for breadth resulting in a broad blanket of understanding over a variety of topics, but not enough depth to really understand their intricacies, causes or effects. In future steps the authors intend to explore ways to adapt the research framework to apply it to in‐depth studies of a particular country or context. Originality/value – This paper presents a research methodology example that is transferrable to other multi‐national surveys. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Performance Measurement and Metrics Emerald Publishing

Structure and flexibility in global research design Methodological choices in landscape study of public access in 25 countries

Ricardo Gomez
Performance Measurement and Metrics , Volume 11 (3): 28 – Nov 30, 2010
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28 pages

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2010 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1467-8047
DOI
10.1108/14678041011098523
Publisher site
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Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to present the research methodology for the global study “Landscape of public access to ICT in 25 countries” (referred to as the Landscape study), a study conducted in 2007‐2009 by the University of Washington's Center for Information and Society, with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Design/methodology/approach – The study looked at public access venues (public libraries, telecenters, cybercafés, other) that offer public access to information, especially through information and communication technologies (ICT), in 25 countries around the world. Findings – The paper describes here the criteria for the country selection, selection of local research partners in each country, research design considerations, data analysis, and limitations of the study. Practical implications – The scope of the research undertook meant sacrificing some depth in exchange for breadth resulting in a broad blanket of understanding over a variety of topics, but not enough depth to really understand their intricacies, causes or effects. In future steps the authors intend to explore ways to adapt the research framework to apply it to in‐depth studies of a particular country or context. Originality/value – This paper presents a research methodology example that is transferrable to other multi‐national surveys.

Journal

Performance Measurement and Metrics – Emerald Publishing

Published: Nov 30, 2010

Keywords: Communication technologies; Public libraries; Information centres; Globalization

References

  • Beyond access to ICTs: measuring capabilities in the information society
    Alampay, E.A.
  • Conceptualizing a contextual measurement for digital divide/s: using an integrated narrative
    Barzilai‐Nahon, K.; Gomez, R.; Ambikar, R.
  • Social Sustainability of Telecentres from the Viewpoint of Telecentre Operators: A Case Study from São Paulo, Brazil
    Bossio, J.