scholarly journals Deciphering the Signal From the Noise: Caregivers’ Information Appraisal and Credibility Assessment of Cancer-Related Information Exchanged on Social Networking Sites

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 107327481984160
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Gage-Bouchard ◽  
Susan LaValley ◽  
Julia A. Devonish
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Credibility Assessment ◽  
Cancer Communication ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Cancer Caregivers

With the rise in the use of the Internet for health-related purposes, social networking sites (SNSs) have become a prominent platform for cancer communication and information exchange. Studies of cancer communication on SNS have mostly focused on understanding the quantity, content, quality, and user engagement (eg, likes and comments) with cancer-related information on SNS. There is less of an understanding of when and why people coping with cancer turn to SNS for cancer-related information, and how users appraise the credibility of cancer-related information obtained on SNS. In this study, we use data from in-depth qualitative interviews with 40 primary caregivers of pediatric patients with cancer to examine how cancer caregivers engage in information appraisal and credibility assessment of cancer-related information obtained on SNS. Findings show that cancer caregivers turned to SNS for cancer-related information because information on SNS was immediate, targeted in response to specific caregiver questions and concerns, and tailored to the specific information needs of cancer caregivers. Cancer caregivers evaluated the credibility of cancer-related information obtained on SNS through assessment of the SNS user who posted the information, frequency the same information was shared, and external corroboration. Findings have important implications for cancer communication and information interventions and point to elements of SNS cancer communication that can be integrated into health professional–facilitated communication and cancer information strategies.

The use of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) by the faculty members of the School of Library & Information Science, PAAET, Kuwait

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 524-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Essam A. H. Mansour
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Training

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to describe the usage of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) by the faculty members of the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS), at the College of Basic Education, the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), Kuwait. Design/methodology/approach – A survey conducted to collect data from 33 faculty members of whom only 21 members were using SNSs, representing 63.6 per cent of the total sample, and 12 members were not using SNSs, representing 36.4 per cent of the total sample. This study revealed that SNSs are used moderately by the faculty members. Findings – This study showed that faculty members who were using SNSs tend to be males, aged between 41 and 50 years, PhD holders, ranked as assistant professors, full-time members, specialized in information technologies with a relatively new experience of teaching ranged from one to five years, and most of the faculty members who were not using SNSs tended to be also males, aged between 41 and 60 years, PhD holders, ranked as lecturers, full-time members specialized in organization of information with a teaching experience ranged from 16 to 20 years. More than half of the faculty members were using SNSs for three years to less than six years, and a large number of them were using SNSs several times a week and were accessing these sites more from their school office, home and school laboratory. There are no any statistical significant differences between the demographic data of participants (gender, age and education level) and either their use or non-use of SNSs. There are no significant differences between the academic rank, teaching status and teaching experience of faculty and their use of SNSs. However, there is a significant relation between the faculty’s area of teaching and their use of SNSs. Faculty members were interested in the use of SNSs. YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and blogs respectively were used mostly by faculty members, but Twitter, Facebook and YouTube were the most famous SNSs they have profiles on. Faculty members have adopted SNSs mainly for the purpose of communicating with others, finding and sharing information with peers and students as well. Tasks on SNSs made by faculty members were mostly to make communication, send/receive messages and find general and specific information. Faculty members’ profiles on SNSs were mostly on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blogs, wikis and podcasting respectively. Faculty members confirmed that the use of YouTube, Facebook, blogs, Twitter, wikis and podcasting respectively was at least effective and the use of YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and Wikis respectively was at least fairly useful fairly easy to them. Faculty members are in general agreement about the effectiveness of SNSs especially for disseminating and sharing information, communication and informal collaboration. The study showed also that there is no gender-related difference among the faculty in terms of their usage of SNSs. The study revealed also that the time was the most important barrier both SNSs users and non-users faced at PAAET’s SLIS. Other barriers like trust about SNSs, training and skills were significant to SNSs users in this study, and barriers like interests in SNSs, awareness of them and trust about them were respectively the most important barriers to SNSs non-users. The study recommended that a further research is needed to examine more additional aspects of using SNSs among faculty members that may affect their use like the technical, legal, ethical and intellectual aspects. More information is needed to investigate why some faculty members do not use SNSs especially for educational purposes. A qualitative study of the perception and opinions of faculty members would provide much important data about that. A further research is also needed to specify the relation between the use of these sites and each area of study separately. Due to the lack of awareness and knowledge about the use of SNSs, shortage of language skills and training, this study recommended that SNSs non-users should be provided with necessary assistance to foster their skills towards such usage. A future study is needed to compare experiences of faculty members and students regarding the use of SNSs in educational practices and may look at how communicational uses of these sites have influenced educational uses. Research limitations/implications – This study involved a single and certain academic institution, namely PAAET. Therefore, findings, conclusions and recommendations may not be applicable and reasonable to be generalized on all Kuwaiti academic institutions. Social implications – This paper provides valuable insight into the usage of SNSs by a very important client group. Originality/value – This study is the first one of its kind conducted about the usage of SNSs by faculty members at a library school of one of the two public academic institutions in the state of Kuwait to examine and investigate more specific information about SNSs and related innovative topics.

scholarly journals The Preferences of Patients With Cancer Regarding Apps to Help Meet Their Illness-Related Information Needs: Qualitative Interview Study

10.2196/14187 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. e14187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Richards ◽  
Paul Kinnersley ◽  
Kate Brain ◽  
John Staffurth ◽  
Fiona Wood
Keyword(s):  
Information Exchange ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Related Information ◽  
App Development ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Question Prompt List

Background The shift from inpatient to outpatient and community cancer care means that more patients with cancer need to manage their condition at home, without the direct supervision of their clinician. Subsequently, research has reported that many patients with cancer have unmet information needs during their illness. Mobile devices, such as mobile phones and tablet computers, provide an opportunity to deliver information to patients remotely. Before designing an app intervention to help patients with cancer to meet their information needs, in-depth qualitative research is required to gain an understanding of the views of the target users. Objective We aimed to develop an app intervention to help patients meet their illness-related information needs in noninpatient settings. This study explored the information needs of patients with cancer and their preferences for an app and desired app features. Specifically, the perceived acceptability of an app, desired app features, and the potential benefits and disadvantages of, and barriers to, an app were explored. Methods Qualitative, one-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted with patients with urological, colorectal, breast, or gynecological cancers (N=23) across two hospitals in South Wales. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results Findings indicated that barriers to information exchange and understanding in consultations, and identification of reliable information sources between consultations, appeared to contribute to patients’ unmet information needs. Consequently, app feature suggestions included a question prompt list, a glossary of cancer terms, a resources feature, and a contacts feature. Anticipated benefits of this type of app included a more informed patient, improved quality of life, decreased anxiety, and increased confidence to participate in their care. The anticipated barriers to app use are likely to be temporary or can be minimized with regard to these findings during app development and implementation. Conclusions This study highlights the desire of patients with cancer for an app intervention to help them meet their information needs during and between consultations with their clinicians. This study also highlights the anticipated acceptability and benefits of this type of intervention; however, further research is warranted.

Q&A participation and behavioral patterns on academic social networking sites: a comparative study of academic, corporate and government institutions on ResearchGate

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiwei Yan ◽  
Wanying Deng ◽  
Xiaorui Sun ◽  
Zihao Wang
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Question Answering ◽  
Behavioral Patterns ◽  
Power Law Distribution ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Government Institutions

PurposeThis paper aims to explore question and answer (Q&A) participation and behavioral patterns on academic social networking sites (ASNSs) from the perspective of multiple subjects such as academic, corporate and government institutions.Design/methodology/approachFocused on the Q&A service of ASNSs, this study chooses ResearchGate (RG) as the target ASNS and collects a large-scale data set from it, involving a sample of users and a Q&A sample about academic, corporate and government institutions. First, it studies the law of Q&A participation and the distribution of the type of user according to the sample of users. Second, it compares question-asking behavior and question-answering behavior stimulated by questions among the three types of institutions based on the Q&A sample. Finally, it discusses the Q&A participation and behavioral patterns of the three types of institutions in academic Q&A exchanges with full consideration of institutional attributes, and provides some suggestions for institutions and ASNSs.FindingsThe results show that these three types of institutions generally have a low level of participation in the Q&A service of RG, and the numbers of questions and answers proposed by institutional users conform to the power-law distribution. There are differences in Q&A participation and Q&A behavioral patterns among academic, corporate and government institutions. Government and academic institutions have more users participating in the Q&A service and their users are more willing to ask questions, while corporate institutions have fewer users who participate in the Q&A service and their users are inclined to provide answers. Questions from corporate institutions attract much more attention than those from the other two types of institutions.Originality/valueThis study reveals and compares the Q&A participation and the behavioral patterns of the three types of institutions in academic Q&A, thus deepening the understanding of the attributes of institutions in the academic information exchange context. In practice, the results can help guide different institutions to use the Q&A service of ASNSs more effectively and help ASNSs to better optimize their Q&A service.

scholarly journals INNOVATIVE CONSUMERS OF THE DIGITAL AGE: OPINION SEEKING ON INSTAGRAM

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 609-628
Author(s):  
Sibel AYDOĞAN ◽  
Özge GÜVENDİK ◽  
Bahadır AYAR
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Mass Communication ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Good Time ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Opinion Seeking

Nowadays the internet, social media, and mobile technologies are indispensable for our daily lives. During the past decade, online social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and their social media apps like Instagram have been caused profound changes in the communication and interaction of people. In addition, social networking sites have become the focus of interest for everyone who has access to the Internet and who can use computers, tablets or smartphones.  Especially, youth and university students use the internet and social media as a mass communication vehicle with easy and fast access at an increasing frequency rate for their academic and/or other purposes. These tools are no longer just a good source of information but they have become a good reference guide for social interaction, games, information exchange and other purposes at the same time. People, -due to their nature- seek for entertainment, in order to have a good time and obtain information. Modern consumers use these social networking platforms as well to meet their needs to gather information on many subjects. This research aims to determine the effect of Instagram usage attitude on opinion seeking and the mediator effect of consumer innovativeness on this relationship. The results of this study reveal that consumers use Instagram as an information source about brands, products, and services. Moreover, Instagram usage attitude has a positive effect on opinion seeking.

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF EXCHANGE IN CUSTOMER LOYALTY OF SOCIAL NETWORK SITES

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dudi Anandya
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Social Network Sites ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Exchange Information ◽  
The Subject

Exchange has been known as the subject matter of Marketing. In this decade, Internet has enabled people to connect and exchange information to others, regardless of time and space. This condition leads to a new phenomenon, known as social networking through social network sites. In social network sites members find new kinds of exchange, which is information exchange. Memberships in many social network sites are free, which means that everyone is free to join or leave it. In that case social network providers must ensure that members keep using their site. The aim of this study is to test and analyze the direct and indirect effect of exchange to loyalty. The Unit of analysis in this study were members of social networking sites Friendster and Facebook. There are 256 respondents participate in this research. The result shows if community members keep exchange activity, they will loyal to the community. Direct effect has greater impact on loyalty than indirect effect. This means that social network company must encourage their member to exchange information actively.

scholarly journals The preferences of patients with cancer regarding an app to help them to meet their illness-related information needs: a qualitative interview study. (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Richards ◽  
Paul Kinnersley ◽  
Kate Brain ◽  
John Staffurth ◽  
Fiona Wood
Keyword(s):  
Information Exchange ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Related Information ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Inpatient Settings ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Question Prompt List

BACKGROUND The shift from inpatient to outpatient and community cancer care means that more patients with cancer are required to manage their condition at home, without the direct supervision of their clinician. Subsequently, research has reported that many patients with cancer have unmet information needs during their illness. Mobile devices, such as mobile phones and tablet computers, provide an opportunity to deliver information to patients remotely. We aimed to develop an app intervention to help patients to meet their illness-related information needs in non-inpatient settings. In-depth qualitative research was required in order to gain an understanding of the views of the target users prior to design of the intervention. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the information needs of patients with cancer and their preferences for an app and desired app features. Specifically, the perceived acceptability of an app, desired app features and the potential benefits and disadvantages of, and barriers to, an app were explored. METHODS Qualitative, one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients with urological, colorectal, breast or gynecological cancers (n=23) across two hospitals in South Wales. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Findings indicated that barriers to information exchange and understanding in consultations, and identification of reliable information sources between consultations, appeared to contribute to patients’ unmet information needs. Consequently, app feature suggestions included a question prompt list, glossary of cancer terms, resources feature and a contacts feature. Anticipated benefits of this type of app included a more informed patient, improved quality of life, decreased anxiety and increased confidence to participate in their care. The anticipated barriers to app use are likely to be temporary or can be minimized with consideration of these findings during app development and implementation. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights cancer patients’ desire for an app intervention to help them to meet their information needs during and between consultations with their clinicians. This study also highlights the anticipated acceptability and benefits of this type of intervention, however further research is warranted.

scholarly journals Rare, epilepsy-related disorder including intellectual disability – A scoping review of caregivers’ identified information needs

2021 ◽  
pp. 174462952110023
Author(s):  
Merete Kristin Tschamper ◽  
Silje Systad
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Related Disorder ◽  
Formal Caregivers

Persons with rare, epilepsy-related disorders often have intellectual disability and need long-term care. Informal and formal caregivers need information in order to care for the persons in a safe way. Aims: The aims of this review were: (1) to obtain an overview of caregiver-reported information needs; and (2) to investigate if there are information needs that are unique for caregivers of persons with rare epilepsies. Method: We followed the scoping review framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley and the preferred reporting items outlined by PRISMA. Results: Among the 17 articles that met the inclusion criteria, 5 included caregivers of persons with rare epilepsies. Categories of information needs: (1) Medical information; (2) Information on how to cope with emotional distress; (3) Experiential information from peers; and (4) Interdisciplinary information exchange. The need for disorder-specific information seemed particularly important for caregivers of persons with rare epilepsies. Conclusion: There is a need for further studies, particularly on formal caregivers’ information needs.

scholarly journals Positive vs. Negative Framing of Scientific Information on Facebook Using Peripheral Cues: An Eye-Tracking Study of the Credibility Assessment Process

10.28945/4369 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 081-103
Author(s):  
Aviad Rotboim ◽  
Arnon Hershkovitz ◽  
Eddie Laventman
Keyword(s):  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Message Framing ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Credibility Assessment ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Peripheral Cues ◽  
Assessment Skills

Aim/Purpose: To examine how positive/negative message framing – based on peripheral cues (regarding popularity, source, visuals, and hyperlink) – affects perceptions of credibility of scientific information posted on social networking sites (in this case, Facebook), while exploring the mechanisms of viewing the different components. Background: Credibility assessment of information is a key skill in today's information society. However, it is a demanding cognitive task, which is impossible to perform for every piece of online information. Additionally, message framing — that is, the context and approach used to construct information— may impact perceptions of credibility. In practice, people rely on various cues and cognitive heuristics to determine whether they think a piece of content is true or not. In social networking sites, content is usually enriched by additional information (e.g., popularity), which may impact the users' perceived credibility of the content. Methodology: A quantitative controlled experiment was designed (N=19 undergraduate students), collecting fine grained data with an eye tracking camera, while analyzing it using transition graphs. Contribution: The findings on the mechanisms of that process, enabled by the use of eye tracking data, point to the different roles of specific peripheral cues, when the message is overall peripherally positive or negative. It also contributes to the theoretical literature on framing effects in science communication, as it highlights the peripheral cues that make a strong frame. Findings: The positively framed status was perceived, as expected from the Elaboration Likelihood Model, more credible than the negatively framed status, demonstrating the effects of the visual framing. Differences in participants' mechanisms of assessing credibility between the two scenarios were evident in the specific ways the participants examined the various status components. Recommendations for Practitioners: As part of digital literacy education, major focus should be given to the role of peripheral cues on credibility assessment in social networking sites. Educators should emphasize the mechanisms by which these cues interact with message framing, so Internet users would be encouraged to reflect upon their own credibility assessment skills, and eventually improve them. Recommendation for Researchers: The use of eye tracking data may help in collecting and analyzing fine grained data on credibility assessment processes, and on Internet behavior at large. The data shown here may shed new light on previously studied phenomena, enabling a more nuanced understanding of them. Impact on Society: In an era when Internet users are flooded with information that can be created by virtually anyone, credibility assessment skills have become ever more important, hence the prominence of this skill. Improving citizens' assessment of information credibility — to which we believe this study contributes — results on a greater impact on society. Future Research: The role of peripheral cues and of message framing should be studied in other contexts (not just scientific news) and in other platforms. Additional peripheral cues not tested here should be also taken into consideration (e.g., connections between the information consumer and the information sharer, or the type of the leading image).

scholarly journals LuluLemon's Instragram strategy: a qualitative content analysis using uses and gratifications theory

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise Moore
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Uses And Gratifications ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Uses And Gratifications Theory ◽  
Corporate Marketing ◽  
Related Information

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) have become increasingly integral to corporate marketing in recent years. Instagram is a newer platform that corporations have added to their digital media marketing presence. The aim of this MRP is to investigate Lululemon Athletica’s presence on Instagram by examining the specific techniques they employ to satisfy users’ Uses and Gratifications. 10 Lululemon Instagram posts were sampled for this study. From these posts, the first 50 comments were collected and coded using Whiting and Williams’ (2013) coding schema. This study highlights the value in (1) brands sharing useful brand and product-related information, and (2) interacting with consumers by responding to their comments and posing Socratic questions to spur dialogue and further engagement.

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