Abstract
BackgroundSocial distancing policies to ensure physical distance between people have become a crucial strategy in the battle against the spread of the coronavirus. The aim of this project is to analyze and compare social distancing policies implemented in Denmark and Sweden in 2020. Despite many similarities between the two countries, their response to the coronavirus pandemic differed markedly. Whereas authorities in Denmark initiated mandatory regulations and many severe restrictions, Swedish authorities predominantly promoted voluntary recommendations.MethodsThe project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers in Denmark and Sweden with different disciplinary backgrounds. The project is based on a comparative analysis, an approach that attempts to reach conclusions beyond single cases and to explain differences and similarities between objects of analysis and relations between objects against the backdrop of their contextual conditions. Data will be gathered by means of document analysis, qualitative interviews, and a questionnaire survey to address three research questions: (1) What social distancing policies regarding the coronavirus have been formulated and implemented, who are the policymakers behind the policy measures, which implementers are expected to implement the measures, and who are the targets that the measures ultimately seek to influence? (2) How have the social distancing policies and policy measures been justified, and what types of knowledge form the basis for the measures? and (3) What are the differences and similarities in citizens’ perceptions of acceptability and compliance with social distancing policy measures in relation to the coronavirus?DiscussionTo create a structure for addressing the three research questions, the project applies a theoretical framework informed by the policy and implementation science literatures. The framework consists of five interdependent domains that have an impact on policy implementation: (1) policymakers, (2) policy characteristics, (3) implementers, (4) targets, and (5) policy environment. Details of the framework are provided in the article.
Highlights
The global battle against the spread of SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) requires extensive public cooperation and compliance with public health policies to be effective
The paper describes a framework for analyzing policy implementation that merges knowledge from two fields by combining elements from policy research and implementation science
Aims and research questions The aim of this project is to generate new knowledge concerning important aspects of policies and policy measures for social distancing in Denmark and Sweden to prevent the spread of the coronavirus
Summary
Design The project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers in the two countries with different disciplinary backgrounds, representing both social science and medical science. Data collection for research question 2 Research question 2 will be addressed using document analysis [53] to examine all social distancing policy measures undertaken in Denmark and Sweden to determine how the policies and policy measures have been justified and what types of knowledge form the basis for the measures. Data in paper form will be stored in a fire-proof, locked safe at Hvidovre University Hospital Electronic data such as audio files and transcripts will be stored in a folder with restricted entry located on a drive set up by the IT department of the Capital Region of Denmark. This is in compliance with ethical principles to ascertain anonymity of the participants.
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