Issues Of Anonymity Research Articles

The social construction of a secure, anonymous electronic payment system: frame alignment and mobilization around Ecash

This paper examines public discourse in order to illuminate the processes by which issues of anonymity, surveillance, security, and privacy are integrated into public understandings of, and interactions with, consumer payment systems. Using theories of the social construction of technology, and Gamson's model of issue construction, it analyses the issue package deployed by the developer of the Ecash electronic payment system. An issue package is a set of framing devices which focus and constrain discussion of a particular issue. The paper then analyses three different discursive sites (print media, US Congressional deliberation, and an electronic mailing list) to gauge the success of that package, according to its presence and its resonance within each site. Using theories of frame alignment and social mobilization, the package is identified as a globalizing framing strategy. Its failure is explained by the difficulties a frame of such structure will have in meshing with the discursive practice of each site, in resonating with cultural themes of each site, and in provoking social action.

Getting a Foot in the Electronic Door: The Process of Reading or Deleting Electronic Mail

For researchers, a key issue in developing electronic mail as a survey method is to understand what factors are at play as a potential respondent chooses to open or delete a mail message. This research investigated the process by which individuals make decisions about opening and reading versus deleting electronic mail and also assessed attitudes toward electronic mail surveys. The sample received an electronic mail message followed by a telephone interview. Results indicated that individuals delete mail when the subject line does not interest them or when they do not recognize the name of the individual sending the e-mail. Those interviewed reacted favorably to e-mail surveys for scientific research despite issues of anonymity. However, respondents overwhelmingly described a dislike for commercially based electronic mail surveys.

Self-disclosure and the treatment of substance abuse.

Identification and treatment of the substance-abusing physician has led to outcome studies focusing on years of abstinence and resultant work performance, but little has been written addressing the therapeutic changes recovery brings in the personal lives of these physicians or in their approach to similarly addicted patients. The unique position of recovering psychiatrists engaged in the treatment of substance-abusing patients has not been addressed. Self-disclosure is a major issue and becomes unavoidable if the psychiatrists meet their patients at Twelve-Step meetings. This paper begins a discussion of the issues of self-disclosure and anonymity for recovering psychiatrists. The informal method used to gather information highlights the sensitivity of these issues for both patients and psychiatrists. The clinical examples show the importance of evaluating the psychodynamic impact of self-disclosure on the patient, the psychiatrist, and their treatment relationship.

Research in American Indian and Alaska Native communities: Navigating the cultural universe of values and process.

The National Institutes of Health's guidelines for recruiting ethnic minorities and women into clinical research have raised numerous questions among investigators. Highlighted in this article are a number of important issues for those researchers seeking to include American Indians and Alaska Natives in their studies; that is, defining the population of American Indians and Alaska Natives for inclusion in a study, participation of the tribes in research and approval by the Institutional Review Board, issues of confidentiality and anonymity of individuals and tribes, identifying potential benefits to American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and the importance of evaluating the scientific merit of a proposed study. Awareness and a commitment to ongoing education regarding these issues will enhance the quality and benefits of research among American Indian and Alaska Native people.