Enhanced broadband access as a solution to the social and economic problems of the rural digital divide

Townsend, Leanne; Sathiaseelan, Arjuna; Fairhurst, Gorry; Wallace, Claire

doi:10.1177/0269094213496974

Cited by 225 publications

(226 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…There are still segments of the population that are excluded on the basis of socio-economic disadvantage, age, and geography. This was illustrated by the fact that seven of our ten focus groups were held in urbanised areas, rather than rural areas which traditionally face issues of digital exclusion (Townsend et al, 2013). Accordingly, we used offline mechanisms of sampling to complement the online components, using a conventional snowball sampling technique for recruitment.…”

Section: Recruitment Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Online focus groups and qualitative research in the social sciences: their merits and limitations in a study of housing and youth

Moore¹,

McKee²,

McLoughlin³

2015

PPP

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This paper considers the use of online focus groups as a method for conducting qualitative research in the social sciences. Researchers have increasingly utilised online focus groups involving live, synchronous chat room interactions. However, to date there has been little insight and a lack of discussion as to the applicability of online focus groups in the social sciences. Reflecting on a study of young people's housing opportunities and financial welfare in the UK, this paper considers the advantages and limitations of online qualitative methods. We argue that online methods offer significant advantages, especially in longer-term studies crossing time and space, but that their design and implementation raise methodological challenges, with implications for the depth and insight of the knowledge produced. Their use for social science research therefore requires reflexivity and adjustment, including attention to the positionality of the researcher, the nature and level of participant involvement, and adjustment to the loss of non-verbal cues and interactions found in conventional qualitative research. This paper advances knowledge on the opportunities of and challenges to online methodologies, and highlights how creative use of webbased technology can support social scientists conducting qualitative research.

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Section: Recruitment Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Online focus groups and qualitative research in the social sciences: their merits and limitations in a study of housing and youth

Moore¹,

McKee²,

McLoughlin³

2015

PPP

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“…Handley et al conducted a survey of 1246 patients in rural Australia in 2014 to determine the feasibility of mental health treatments delivered online using two feasibility criteria: (1) internet access and (2) willingness to use internet services. This Australian study found that only 7% of those who would consider using an internet service cited lack of internet access as a barrier [10] but that rates of internet access decreased significantly with increasing rurality, which is also true in Scotland [11] .…”

Section: Socioeconomic and Geographic Factorsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Digital Access in Working-Age and Older Adults and Their Caregivers Attending Psychiatry Outpatient Clinics: Quantitative Survey (Preprint)

Cruickshank¹,

MacIntyre²

2017

Preprint

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Background: It has been suggested that improving access to mental health services, supporting self-management and increasing clinical productivity can be achieved through the delivery of technology-enabled care via personal mobile and internet-based services, but there is little evidence available about whether working age and older adults with mental health problems or their carers have access to these technologies, or their confidence with these technologies. Objectives: To ascertain the prevalence and range of devices used to access the internet in patients and carers attending general and older adult psychiatry outpatient services, and their confidence in using these technologies. Methods: We conducted an anonymous survey of 77 patients and carers from a general psychiatry and old age psychiatry clinic to determine rates of internet access and device ownership, and attitudes to technology enabled care. Results: We found high levels of internet access and confidence in using the internet in working age adults, their carers, and older adult carers but not in older adult patients. Smartphone usage predominated in working age adults and their carers. Older adult carers were more likely to use desktop or laptop computers. In our sample, tablets were the least popular form factor. Conclusions: Access rates and uptake of internet based services have the potential to be high in working age adults and their carers, but are likely to be significantly lower among older adult patients attending psychiatry clinics. Applications designed for tablets are likely to have low uptake. All groups identified appointment reminders as likely to be beneficial.

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“…They often demonstrate strong social capital and creativity (Falk & Kilpatrick 2000), but many face problems of isolation, accessibilities, depopulation and social cohesion (Townsend et al 2013). Such problems have often been referred to as the 'rural penalty' (Blanks Hindman 2000), and it is recognised that digital technologies and, in particular, broadband have much to offer in reducing this penalty.…”

Section: The Urban-rural Digital Dividementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many of those interviewed had low levels of skill and confidence, characteristic of rural areas (Townsend et al 2013). A number of high bandwidth broadband requirements for business or personal/lifestyle purposes were identified by interviewees, despite the fact that they were largely unable to use them.…”

Section: The Role Of Broadband In Remote Rural Placesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This problem is not just UK based; many still lack access across Europe, frequently those in rural areas (European Commission 2009). Despite the efforts of the UK Government (BDUK 2011), the 'digital divide' is widening; as urban areas benefit from ever-improving infrastructure, rural areas more often than not are left behind, leaving them disadvantaged and unable to compete in an increasingly digitally connected commercial world (Townsend et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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‘Stuck Out Here’: The Critical Role of Broadband for Remote Rural Places

Townsend

Wallace

Fairhurst

2015

Scottish Geographical Journal

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In a rapidly evolving digital society, broadband connectivity is increasingly critical. Everyday experiences are mediated by technology, be they related to work, education, leisure or health care; technology impacts at many levels. Access to broadband Internet is considered to be essential to contemporary society. Despite this growing recognition, broadband access is still not ubiquitous across all of the UK, with access being particularly problematic in remote rural areas. This paper considers the role of broadband in the economic and social sustainability of remote rural places. During research which explored the use of broadband and its applications amongst small rural business owners located across rural Scotland, qualitative in-depth interviews explored how interviewees used the Internet in the development of and sustainability of their business activities as well as exploring other forms of use such as those relating to education, leisure and social participation. The findings reveal how broadband access and use can impact on rural business owners, and subsequently contribute to the sustainability of life in remote rural Scotland.

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Enhanced broadband access as a solution to the social and economic problems of the rural digital divide

Cited by 225 publications

References 23 publications

Online focus groups and qualitative research in the social sciences: their merits and limitations in a study of housing and youth

Online focus groups and qualitative research in the social sciences: their merits and limitations in a study of housing and youth

Digital Access in Working-Age and Older Adults and Their Caregivers Attending Psychiatry Outpatient Clinics: Quantitative Survey (Preprint)

‘Stuck Out Here’: The Critical Role of Broadband for Remote Rural Places

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