scholarly journals The Social Impact of Digital Youth Work: What Are We Looking For?

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicja Pawluczuk ◽  
Gemma Webster ◽  
Colin Smith ◽  
Hazel Hall

Digital youth work is an emerging field of research and practice which seeks to investigate and support youth-centred digital literacy initiatives. Whilst digital youth work projects have become prominent in Europe in recent years, it has also become increasingly difficult to examine, capture, and understand their social impact. Currently, there is limited understanding of and research on how to measure the social impact of collaborative digital literacy youth projects. This article presents empirical research which explores the ways digital youth workers perceive and evaluate the social impact of their work. Twenty semi-structured interviews were carried out in Scotland, United Kingdom, in 2017. All data were coded in NVivo 10 and analysed using thematic data analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Two problems were identified in this study: (1) limited critical engagement with the social impact evaluation process of digital youth work projects and its outcomes, and (2) lack of consistent definition of the evaluation process to measure the social impact/value of digital youth work. Results of the study are examined within a wider scholarly discourse on the evaluation of youth digital participation, digital literacy, and social impact. It is argued that to progressively work towards a deeper understanding of the social value (positive and negative) of digital youth engagement and their digital literacy needs, further research and youth worker evaluation training are required. Recommendations towards these future changes in practice are also addressed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 485
Author(s):  
Blanca L. Díaz Mariño ◽  
Frida Carmina Caballero-Rico ◽  
Ramón Ventura Roque Hernández ◽  
José Alberto Ramírez de León ◽  
Daniel Alejandro González-Bandala

Understanding the value of research for society has become a priority, and several methodologies have been developed to assess the social impact of research. This study aimed to determine how productive interactions are developed during the execution of research projects. A retrospective study was conducted on 33 projects from 1999 to 2020. Semi-structured interviews with the technical managers were conducted to analyze how different actors of the project—researchers, government officials, and civil society and private sector stakeholders—were involved, illustrating how productive interactions occur in specific biodiversity contexts. The results revealed different levels and intensities of productive interactions; on the one hand, three projects involved all actors; eight involved researchers outside the institution; and 25 involved community members. The number of participants ranged from 2 to 37. All research evaluated had a disciplinary orientation. The type and time of interactions with other interested parties depended on the amount of funding, project type, project duration, and, significantly, on the profile of the technical manager. The importance of assessing and valuing productive interactions was identified as a fundamental element in promoting the social impact of research, as well as integrating inter- or multidisciplinary projects that impact the conservation of socio-ecological systems.


2009 ◽  
pp. 69-80
Author(s):  
Fausta Scardigno ◽  
Caterina Balenzano ◽  
Giuseppe Moro

- This paper suggests some considerations regarding the relationship between evaluation and making decision processes, through the description of an evaluation experience of some formative projects orientated towards unemployed young people living in Apulia Region. After the definition of evaluation question, made together with Educational Local Authority, we have preferred a qualitative research approach. Sharing a participative approach, we have chosen a multistakeholder research design as instrument to catch the representations of actors involved regarding the evolution of projects, the weak and strong aspects, through to focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews respectively administered to actuators and beneficiaries of these projects. Interviews have been analyzed first trough content analysis of relevance and in a second moment trough associations analysis between words, by the use of T-Lab software. Highlighting stakeholders' suggestions and recommendations and giving back them to the decision maker confirms the utility of evaluation as instrument to supporting making decision processes, with the aim of improving policies.Key words: partecipate evaluation, multistakeholder research design, utilization of evaluation Process


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Buchanan ◽  
Zamzam Husain

PurposeThe purpose is to provide insight into the social media related information behaviours of Muslim women within Arab society, and to explore issues of societal constraint and control, and impact on behaviours.Design/methodology/approachThe study conducted semi-structured interviews with Muslim women resident within the capital city of a nation within the Arabian Peninsula.FindingsSocial media provides the study participants' with an important source of information and social connection, and medium for personal expression. However, use is constrained within sociocultural boundaries, and monitored by husbands and/or male relatives. Pseudonym accounts and carefully managed privacy settings are used to circumvent boundaries and pursue needs, but not without risk of social transgression. The authors provide evidence of systematic marginalisation, but also of resilience and agency to overcome. Self-protective acts of secrecy and deception are employed to not only cope with small world life, but to also circumvent boundaries and move between social and information worlds.Research limitations/implicationsFindings should not be considered representative of Muslim women as a whole as Muslim women are not a homogenous group, and Arabian Peninsula nations variously more conservative or liberal than others.Practical implicationsFindings contribute to the authors’ practical and conceptual understanding of digital literacy with implications for education programmes including social, moral and intellectual aspects.Originality/valueFindings contribute to conceptual and practical understanding of information poverty, evidencing structural inequalities as a major contributory factor, and that self-protective information behaviours, often considered reductive, can also be expansive in nature.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 8270
Author(s):  
Qi Peng ◽  
Geoff Dickson ◽  
Nicolas Scelles ◽  
Jonathan Grix ◽  
Paul Michael Brannagan

Esports is a rapidly growing industry. However, the unidentifiable governance structure of the industry has contributed to a number of integrity-eroding activities. By exploring esports stakeholder dynamics, this paper answers the question, “Is the esports governance model sustainable?” Data were sourced from documentation, focus groups (N = 3) and semi-structured interviews (N = 6). Thematic analysis was conducted using Nvivo. The findings suggest that (1) the current esports governance framework features some attributes of the “lead organisation-governed network”, with the power residing mainly in game publishers; (2) the rising power of other stakeholders in the network seeking to address integrity issues has caused fragmentation of the esports governance framework; (3) esports governance is evolving towards a network administration organisation (NAO) model. Such evolution has a few challenges—most notably, the compliance of game publishers. Given the social impact of the integrity issues, governments should play a main role in facilitating a NAO model.


2002 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Kay ◽  
Suzanne Laberge

Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of field, this paper explores the particular stakes and struggles that animate both the relationships among adventure racing (AR) participants and the competition among race organizers in order to highlight the social dynamic and power structure of this new “lifestyle” sport. Our investigation relies on a diversity of qualitative data, namely semi-structured interviews with 37 AR participants. Adventure Racing Association Listserve discussion, and participant observation of Eco-Challenge Argentina 1999. Our analysis demonstrates that what is at stake in the AR field is both the definition of the sport practice’s legitimate form as well as its orientation with respect to two dominant delineating forces: “authenticity” and “spectacularization” of the adventure. These two forces currently constitute the specific forms of capital (sources of prestige) that define the AR field.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leticia Werner Rêgo ◽  
Gisele Martins ◽  
Cristiane Feitosa Salviano

Objetivo: compreender o impacto social da doença renal crônica em adolescentes submetidos à hemodiálise. Método: trata-se de estudo qualitativo, descritivo, com adolescentes dos 12 aos 18 anos, que realizavam hemodiálise na unidade hospitalar de Terapia Renal Substitutiva, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada. Analisaram-se os dados segundo o método de pesquisa de narrativas e figura. Resultados: identificaram-se três categorias temáticas: Modificações causadas pela hemodiálise que interferem na rotina; Sentimentos do adolescente associados à doença e à hemodiálise; Sentimentos da família associados à doença e à hemodiálise na perspectiva do adolescente. Conclusão: concluiu-se que o adolescente passa por modificações importantes em seu cotidiano, tanto pelas restrições necessárias para o controle da doença quanto pelas alterações fisiológicas. Revela-se, além disso, que sentimentos como tristeza e medo também permeiam o atendimento a este paciente. Descritores: Insuficiência Renal Crônica; Diálise Renal; Rede social; Adolescente; Família.Abstract Objective: to understand the social impact of chronic kidney disease in adolescents undergoing hemodialysis. Method: this is a qualitative, descriptive study with adolescents from 12 to 18 years old, who underwent hemodialysis in the hospital unit of Renal Replacement Therapy, through semi-structured interviews. Data was analyzed according to the narrative and figure research method. Results: three thematic categories were identified: Modifications caused by hemodialysis that interfere in the routine; Adolescent feelings associated with the disease and hemodialysis; Family feelings associated with the disease and hemodialysis from the adolescent's perspective. Conclusion: it was concluded that the adolescent undergoes important changes in their daily life, both due to the restrictions necessary to control the disease and physiological changes. Moreover, feelings such as sadness and fear also permeate the care of this patient. Descriptors: Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Renal Dialysis; Social Networking; Adolescent; Family. Resumen Objetivo: comprender el impacto social de la enfermedad renal crónica en adolescentes sometidos a hemodiálisis. Método: se trata de un estudio cualitativo y descriptivo con adolescentes de 12 a 18 años que se sometieron a hemodiálisis en la unidad hospitalaria de Terapia de Reemplazo Renal, a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los datos se analizaron de acuerdo con el método de investigación de narrativas y figura. Resultados: se identificaron tres categorías temáticas: modificaciones causadas por hemodiálisis que interfieren en la rutina; Sentimientos adolescentes asociados con la enfermedad y la hemodiálisis; Sentimientos de la familia asociados con la enfermedad y la hemodiálisis desde la perspectiva del adolescente. Conclusión: se concluyó que el adolescente sufre cambios importantes en su vida diaria, tanto por las restricciones necesarias para controlar la enfermedad como por cambios fisiológicos. También se revela que sentimientos como la tristeza y el miedo también impregnan el cuidado de este paciente. Descriptores: Insuficiencia Renal Crónica; Diálisis Renal; Red Social; Adolescente; Familia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Theodoros Sakellaropoulos ◽  
Varvara Lalioti ◽  
Nikos Kourachanis

The present article sheds light on the implementation of the ‘Social Solidarity Income’ (SSI) in Greece, an example of a guaranteed minimum income (GMI). Drawing on the findings of 40 semi-structured interviews carried out in five selected municipalities, the article focuses on the ‘social impact’ of the SSI. More specifically, it investigates two inter-related themes: a) the social situation of beneficiaries and the survival strategies they used before and after receiving the SSI; and b) aspects of the SSI that should be improved at the implementation stage. It is argued that, despite certain positive elements of the SSI, such as the monetary allowance, which is a key component of the SSI and assists beneficiaries in covering their basic needs, the impact of the SSI on the lives of individuals is relatively small and a large proportion of the beneficiaries continue to rely on the survival strategies they used before implementation of the SSI


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 98-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Hermens ◽  
Sabina Super ◽  
Kirsten Verkooijen ◽  
Maria Koelen

Research shows that participation in sport is positively related to self-esteem, self-regulation skills, and social inclusion. As socially vulnerable youngsters participate less frequently in sports activities than their average peers, youth work organisations try to guide their clients (i.e., socially vulnerable youngsters) to local sports clubs and inclusive sports activities. Inclusive sports activities, however, cannot be provided by youth work organisations alone. Therefore, in the Netherlands, intersectoral action involving both youth work organisations and local sports clubs has emerged. Because youth workers and stakeholders in local sports clubs are not used to collaborating with each other, we explored the factors that contribute to the quality and performance of such intersectoral actions. On the basis of five open interviews with youth workers and three focus groups with stakeholders in local sports clubs, we described factors relating to the organisation of intersectoral action among youth workers and local sports clubs that are preconditions for the success of this specific type of intersectoral action.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Bellucci ◽  
Carmela Nitti ◽  
Serena Franchi ◽  
Enrico Testi ◽  
Luca Bagnoli

PurposeThis study aims to assess the effectiveness of social return on investment (SROI) as a measure of the social impact produced by non-profit organisations and social enterprises that support family-centred care, an approach that focuses on the pivotal role of families in paediatric health care.Design/methodology/approachThe study offers an analytical evaluation of the SROI created by the Italian branch of the Ronald McDonald House Charities and highlights (a) the participatory analysis of stakeholders and outcomes; (b) the measurement of inputs; (c) the definition of outputs and proxies for the measurement of outcomes; (d) the calculation of the SROI ratio; and (e) the results of a sensitivity analysis.FindingsThis study discusses the advantages and shortcomings of SROI analyses, the practical implications of this research on governance and management and the role of engagement in managing the expectations of stakeholders. The value of SROI measurements in shaping strategic and management decisions – with special emphasis on stakeholder relations – is also discussed.Originality/valueNon-profit organisations and social enterprises often require tools that assess the outcomes of their activities. The present research can provide new guidance to SROI analysts, while drawing attention to the most suitable proxies and indicators for evaluating the SROI of organisations operating in the health care sector.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-116
Author(s):  
Naomi Thompson ◽  
James Ballantyne

In this paper, we explore the social and spiritual purposes and impacts of Christian detached youth work in theukthrough an exploration of relevant literature and through qualitative research with a small sample of youth workers. The article finds, both in the literature and the primary research, that the development of relationships between youth worker and young person is the most significant purpose and impact of Christian detached youth work. These relationships are used to facilitate impacts, both social and spiritual, in detached youth work, but are also seen as an important impact in themselves. The paper argues that social and spiritual purposes and impact are fluid and overlapping within Christian detached youth work, that institutional agendas are given low priority, and that youth workers aim to start their work from the young people’s own starting position rather than an imposed agenda. This equalising of power and negotiation of mutual relationships is largely considered, by both the literature explored and the youth workers in our primary research, to enhance the uniqueness and effectiveness of detached youth work in achieving its particular social and spiritual impacts.


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