Potential and Challenges for Social Media in the Neighborhood Context

Provide the citation and attach a pdf of the article (10 pts):

JOHNSON, B. J.; HALEGOUA, G. R. Potential and Challenges for Social Media in the Neighborhood Context. Journal of Urban Technology, [s. l.], v. 21, n. 4, p. 51–75, 2014. DOI 10.1080/10630732.2014.971528. Disponível em: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cph&AN=100088595&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Acesso em: 1 mar. 2022.

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What is the abstract of the article?  (10 pts):

Many studies have focused on new media’s role in connecting interest-based communities across vast geographic distances; fewer studies have examined how viable social media is as a communication tool within the neighborhood context. This study investigates the ways in which established modes of place-based neighborhood association, connection, and communication coincide or conflict with the perceived affordances of connection and association available in social networking sites. As a case study, we identified a neighborhood association that had seen its participation rates dwindle. The association’s steering committee decided to turn to popular social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter) to revitalize. After the initial launch, they garnered only five “likes,” three Twitter followers, and two members for the e-mail listserv out of a possible 550 households. A survey of neighborhood residents showed some potential for social media use but also significant mismatches between the perceived affordances of social media and residents’ understanding of the place-based context and condition of the neighborhood. We found three main categories where perceptions and expectations of neighborhood communication did not mesh with social media affordances: perceived intimacy within the neighborhood; desired attributes of neighborhood communication; and expectations of digital and physical space and place

Was the study experimental or non-experimental? Explain, tell us what made that clear.  (10 pts):

After reading through different sections of the study, there were a variety of surveys that took place within different neighborhoods that would ask different questions in regards to social interactions and social media usage. There was one experiment where they went through and hung up door hangers around the households in the neighborhood that was informing people of the different social media pages they could follow and even an email list that residents could sing up for. Another experiment had a questionnaire that was mailed out to the households in the neighborhood and attempted to gather information on residents and their participation. This study was non experiential as a lot of this research took place in a real life setting and therefore the researcher could not control all the different variables.

Was the research qualitative or quantitative? Again, explain. (10 pts):

The research in this non experimental study was quantitative , most of the results received from the various “experiments” (surveys,emails,reach out) was a variety of numbers and percentages.

What was the population studied? Why do you say that? (5 pts):

There were a few population studies as there were a few different experiments explained in the articles, but the population usually is the specific range of houses in the neighborhoods that are being surveyed, the studies always target the range of houses in a certain neighborhood..

What sample was used for this study? Explain. (5 pts):

The sample for this study was 212 out of the 573 surveys  that were sent to 573 hoseholds in Indian hills. financial institutions. The return rate was very low but these were the houses targeted for the study.

What was the method of measurement? (10 pts):

For the study a Nominal method of measurement was used as there were a variety of categories from the results of the survey such as demographic information and length of residency, etc.

What was the method of analysis? (10 pts):

Data was collected from the different neighborhoods via a survey being mailed out to the households, the analysis consisted of open and axial coding from the responses which used key themes to identify and analyze the data, they would compare surveys between residents who thought social media was a good form of neighborhood connection with those that did not.

What was the conclusion of the study? (10 pts):

The results allowed for a range of information to be gathered from the residents living in the neighborhood such as age, how long they had been living there, education,etc. With the bigger question in mind if social media is a good way to communicate with the neighborhood, it resulted in 25 percent yes, 41 percent no, 13 percent maybe, and don’t know 4 percent.  The ones who did find social media a good tool had commented that social media use within the neighborhood is a beneficial tool if used under the proper conditions,  biggest concern among the community was that if there was a facebook or twitter page that there was no guarantee that the community would be able to find it.

Why is this study useful to you? Explain in detail. (10 pts):

This information was useful to me as I have created my own volunteer group named “ Helping hand foundation” where I would find events to volunteer at and give back to the community in a variety of ways, I hope one day to have my own non-profit organization that focuses on community give back and helping those in need. When it comes to managing a large organization, outreach through social media is very important. This experiment talked about different ways they attempted community outreach and the results that came from each attempt. It also give real life opinion about how useful of a tool social media was, if I needed my Facebook page to directly reach the community I would help, this gave me an idea of how that would look like (delivery approach).

What would be the next logical step in extending this study? (10 pts):

The study results showed disappointing results with the social media outreach not working and the neighborhoods not necessarily ready to adapt to this new form of communication. With the new information learned of how social media is seen and used within these neighborhoods , neighborhood associations now have guidance on how to effectively adapt to new forms of communications and suggest the directions needed to investigate potential problems with social media usage for the neighborhood. The results of the survey showed the preferred usage of communication, the next step of the study could be how to master that form of communication tied with community outreach.