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Traversing urban social spaces : how online research helps unveil offline practice

Carroll, Julie-Anne and Foth, Marcus and Adkins, Barbara A. (2009) Traversing urban social spaces : how online research helps unveil offline practice. In: Hunsinger, Jeremy and Allen, Matthew and Klastrup, Lisbeth, (eds.) International Handbook of Internet Research. Springer, Dortrecht, The Netherlands.

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Abstract

This chapter presents a discussion of methodological considerations in urban informatics research. As an exemplar, we examine a health communication research blog set up to produce insights into the choices made by residents of a master-planned development affecting their health and well-being. It served both as a repository for collection and a tool for the strategic selection and analysis of internet research data. We reflect on the nature of the online data contributed by an urban demographic about their physical activity practices within this particular neighbourhood. The blog provided a forum for detailed responses which allowed participants to reflect on their answers over a period of time, and write with the privacy and protection effects provided by the anonymity of contributions, coupled with the advantage of being able to view the contributions made by other residents. Opinions, stories, and discussions were instigated by questions and photographs posted on the blog about residents’ levels of engagement with the neighbourhood for staying active and healthy. Residents reported on the social and physical aspects of the new urban environment that either encouraged or inhibited them from leading active and healthy lifestyles. In this context the blog provided insights into the role of both the planning rhetoric associated with a new urban village and the meanings attached to the lifeworld of the residents in their health practices. A total of 214 contributions to the blog were made by the residents, with the analysis and findings highlighting implications for urban design and health promotion research and practice.

ID Code:13350
Item Type:Book Chapter
Keywords :blog, health communication, internet research methodology, master, planned community, urban informatics
ISBN:9781402097881
Subjects:Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > LANGUAGES COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE (200000) > COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES (200100) > Communication and Media Studies not elsewhere classified (200199)
Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY (160000) > SOCIOLOGY (160800) > Urban Sociology and Community Studies (160810)
Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY (160000) > SOCIOLOGY (160800) > Sociological Methodology and Research Methods (160807)
Divisions:QUT Faculties and Divisions > Faculty of Creative Industries
QUT Faculties and Divisions > QUT Carseldine - Humanities & Human Services
Institutes > Institute for Creative Industries and Innovation
Copyright Owner :Copyright 2009 Springer
Deposited On:22 Apr 2008
Last Modified:23 Jun 2009 01:46

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