Social Research Research Articles

Social marketing and the challenges of participant recruitment.

Recruitment of research participants often has not obtained a desired sample size, thereby becoming a major problem inhibiting investigators' ability to adequately test the specified hypotheses. Social marketing with its four Ps, originally developed by the business world to sell products and adapted for public health initiatives, is proposed as a dynamic comprehensive conceptual framework to apply marketing principles and practices to enhance participant recruitment. Applying a social marketing approach to research recruitment would require initial investigation to understand the motivations of the target audience in regard to research participation, and continued research throughout the main project to adapt the recruitment efforts as limitations arise. Additional funding would be needed for successful social marketing research recruitment programs to be systematically implemented and evaluated as part of research projects. In this paper, we define social marketing concepts, briefly review the available literature supporting social marketing applied to recruitment for research studies, and consider ethical issues that may arise when using a social marketing approach.

Value implications of followers in social marketplaces: insights into ego network structures

PurposeIn social marketplaces, follower ego networks are integral social capital assets for online sellers. While previous research has underscored the positive impact of the follower number on seller performance, little attention has been given to the structure of follower networks and their value implications. This research investigates two structural properties of follower networks—network centralization and density—and examines their main and contingent effects on sellers’ sales performance.Design/methodology/approachA 13-month panel dataset of 1,150 sellers in Etsy, a social marketplace for handmade and vintage products, was collected and analyzed. A fixed effects model was adopted to validate the hypotheses on the main effect of centralization and density, as well as the moderating effects of two store attributes: store age and product diversification.FindingsWe find that both network centralization and density negatively impact sellers’ sales performance, and these effects vary across store age and product diversification levels. Specifically, the negative effect of network centralization is less pronounced for older stores than young ones, whereas the negative effect of density is more severe for stores with high product diversification.Originality/valueThis research contributes to social commerce research by highlighting the significance of network structure, alongside network size, in assessing the value of followers and offers practical guidance for sellers in social marketplaces seeking to optimize their follower networks.

Social Work Research: A 40-Year Perspective and a Response to Feldman

Social Work Research: A 40-Year Perspective and a Response to Feldman

Social work’s grandest challenge: re-contextualizing racism and reducing its deleterious effects on its members and those we serve

ABSTRACT Social work as a profession has a legacy of racism, bigotry, and White supremacy that has harmed a number of racially marginalized groups of people. To this day, social work continues to be beleaguered by racialized activities at the student, practitioner, and research levels that stain its reputation. The author discusses how racist ideologies negatively affect the social work profession and how members of the profession can make immediate changes in social work practice, education, and research in an effort to eliminate racism as one of the grand challenges for social work.

Technical Perspective: Synthetic Data Needs a Reproducibility Benchmark

Technical Perspective: Synthetic Data Needs a Reproducibility Benchmark

Do stories need critics? Environmental storyism and the ends of ecocriticism

ABSTRACT Story, storytelling, and storying are exceptionally privileged concepts in contemporary environmental arts, humanities and social sciences research. This provocation does not set out to exhaustively describe the function of story across so large and diverse a scholarly array. It aims instead to characterise the particular, widespread tendency to posit the making of new stories, or the transforming of extant stories, or the ‘storying’ of a particular issue, place, or dilemma as the ultimate ends of environmental humanities work. We call this tendency ‘storyism’. In its broadest sense, our project attempts to construct a transdisciplinary genealogy of ‘storyism’ in relation to environmental concerns, as well as to comprehend its institutional and disciplinary orientations. For the limited purposes of this paper, we explore how ecocriticism, a field primarily interested in reading, interpreting and critiquing story, relates to the methodological innovation we describe. We hypothesise that ecocritical discourses have ironically undermined their critical values by producing and reproducing a storyist teleology which understands the generation of more, new narratives as ultimately, if not singularly, useful. We conclude by suggesting some ways in which literary ecocriticism can break out of this habit while still participating in the wider interdisciplinary field.

Book review: Joshua Iyadurai, Social Research Methods: For Students and Scholars of Theology and Religious Studies

Book review: Joshua Iyadurai, <i>Social Research Methods: For Students and Scholars of Theology and Religious Studies</i>

Revisiting longitudinal qualitative studies in social work: considerations for design and methodological insights

This paper undertakes an analysis and discussion of the methodological challenges and insights derived from three longitudinal qualitative studies, all conducted in Chile during the COVID-19 pandemic and subject to comprehensive theoretical-methodological reflection processes centred on their respective designs. This analysis makes a significant contribution to interdisciplinary discussions within social research, with a particular emphasis on longitudinal trajectories. First, we present a comparative analysis of three studies in social work, utilising Saldaña’s questions addressing changes and learning in longitudinal studies. The first study explores the labour trajectories of researchers, the second focuses on the educational trajectories of students, and the last examines therapeutic alliance trajectories between social workers and families within the child protection system. Following this, we delve into the methodological decisions made by the research group during the execution of these longitudinal studies. This encompasses an examination of participant involvement, temporal definitions of the adopted designs, and the most suitable methodological tools for analysing change processes over time. The outcomes of this comparative analysis reveal the distinctive characteristics of the three longitudinal studies, providing insights into how the time dimension is explored within them. We highlight key criteria essential for consideration in longitudinal qualitative research, particularly regarding participants and methodology. In conclusion, we advocate for an expanded reflection within the realm of longitudinal qualitative methodology, encompassing aspects such as design choices, approaches to data analysis, integration of technology in information processing, and strategies for maintaining participant engagement.

What's in a "Latinx?": Considerations When Utilizing Pan-ethnic Identifiers of Latinidad

People of Latin American origin use many different terms to self-identify their ethnicity. To date, there are very few scholarly articles that have investigated the growing use (and potential outcomes) of the term “Latinx.” Over the past decade, this pan-ethnic identifier has been wholly ascribed to a group of people who do not all identify with it. The dearth of empirical understanding on this topic is especially concerning given its significant implications on one’s positive identity development and overall psychosocial functioning. This conceptual essay is meant to introduce readers to the role that U.S. colleges and universities played in the promulgation of the word “Latinx.” It also aims to stimulate discussion amongst readers who may question how “Latinx” came to be the pan-ethnic identifier for this community as well as those who may question whether they should adopt or reject the label. To address the aforementioned inquiries, this composition includes a brief history of the most commonly used pan-ethnic terms for the Latin American diaspora. The implications of ascribing gender-inclusive vs. gender-neutral labels on positive identity development, as well as recommendations and best practices for social work researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders, are also discussed.

‘Stuffed if I [still don’t] know’: towards weak methodologies

ABSTRACT J. K. Gibson-Graham’s paper ‘’Stuffed if I Know!’: Reflections on post-modern feminist social research’ foreshadowed her meanderings with weak theory, and of attending not to what things are, or mean, but to ‘wonder(ing) where they might go’ and what they might do, in all their emergence, contradiction and multiplicity. Weak theory attends to the performativity of different encounters, processes and knowledges, in all their incompletion and multiplicity, and in following what things do, this paper suggests that weak theory is also methodological. I consider weak methodologies as an approach to methods and practices that centre and integrate the unexpected, confusing, failed and strange within the co-production of research and ways of knowing. To do this, I reflect on two inadvertent wanderings into weak methodologies in my research, and engage Puig de la Bellacasa’s thinking with and dissenting within, to ponder some of the potentialities present in interruption, trouble and dis(re)orientation in research methods. Here, weak methodologies are not just about creating and participating in worlding as researchers, but also about forming an intentional posture of openness to being shaped, shifted, moved and led through research in often unanticipated ways.

Authority Over Investigation Decisions in Child Welfare Services: How is it Distributed Among Social Workers, Managers and Citizen Representatives?

ABSTRACTThis study examined the distribution of authority over decisions made during investigations within child welfare services (CWS). The distribution between various actors, such as social workers, citizen representatives and managers, was examined regarding 19 key decisions that frequently occur during investigations. The study also examined how the municipal socio‐economic status and the internal organizational conditions of CWS impact the overall hierarchical level of authority using linear regression analysis. The study was a full population study of Swedish municipalities and districts in larger cities (n = 309, response rate of 62%). The study indicates that the head of the unit holds authority over most decision types, followed by the social worker. However, the study also indicates that there are significant variations between municipalities and decision types. In the municipality delegating authority to the lowest hierarchical level, social workers hold authority over 15 decision types compared with two decision types in the municipality delegating authority to the highest hierarchical level. This variation concerns most decision types except two, where authority is almost exclusively delegated to the same actor in all municipalities. The regression analysis indicated that the educational level of the municipal inhabitants and the size of the CWS budget were the strongest predictors of the hierarchical level of authority in a municipality. High educational levels in municipalities are associated with delegating authority to low hierarchical levels, such as social workers, whereas large CWS budgets (spending as SEK per inhabitant) are associated with delegating authority to high hierarchical levels, such as top‐level managers. The implications of these results for social work research and practice are discussed.

Towards an understanding of landslide risk assessment and its economic losses: a scientometric analysis

AbstractThis scientometric analysis significantly advances the understanding of landslide risk assessment and economic losses, focusing on scientometric insights. This study aims at analyzing the global trends and structures of landslide risk and economic loss research from 2002 to 2023 using scientometric techniques such as co-authorship, co-word, co-citation, cluster analysis, and trend topics, among others. Thus, analysis of 92 studies gathered from Scopus and Web of Science databases reveals a continuous growth in environmental, social, and quantitative research topics. Predominant contributions hail mainly from China and Italy. The research identifies critical themes, including risk analysis, vulnerability, fragility, and economic losses. The current identified research combines advanced statistical methods, including logistic regression, with climate change scenarios and susceptibility assessments to reveal intricate connections between climatic shifts, hydrogeological hazards, and their economic and environmental impacts. This study provides researchers and practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of the status quo and research trends of ontology research landslide risk and its economic losses. It also promotes further studies in this domain.

‘Is it worth doing this or is it better to commit suicide?’: On ethical clearance at a university

The article examines the formal process of ‘ethical clearance’ for social science research at a large university and illuminates how it functions to undermine its stated purpose. We find that rather than promoting ethical standards, the bureaucratic process creates negative and cynical attitudes and game playing. For almost all participants, the entire procedure is counterproductive and experienced as absurd, creating a boomerang effect. The findings reveal how a specific rationalization effort leads to widespread experiences of irrationality, where detailed and strict organization merges with experiences of the bizarre. The article develops concepts capturing the experience and resulting organizational type: ‘orbizzarization’ and ‘absurdocracy’. These concepts enrich our understanding of toxic/irrational organizations, including Kafkaesque organizations.

The ‘Implicit Intelligence’ of artificial intelligence. Investigating the potential of large language models in social science research

ABSTRACT Researchers in ‘hard' science disciplines are exploring the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for advancing research in their fields. Their colleagues in ‘soft' science, however, have produced thus far a limited number of articles on this subject. This paper addresses this gap. Our main hypothesis is that existing Artificial Intelligence Large Language Models (LLMs) can closely align with human expert assessments in specialized social science surveys. To test this, we compare data from a multi-country expert survey with those collected from the two powerful LLMs created by OpenAI and Google. The statistical difference between the two sets of data is minimal in most cases, supporting our hypothesis, albeit with certain limitations and within specific parameters. The tested language models demonstrate domain-agnostic algorithmic accuracy, indicating an inherent ability to incorporate human knowledge and independently replicate human judgment across various subfields without specific training. We refer to this property as the ‘implicit intelligence' of Artificial Intelligence, representing a highly promising advancement for social science research.

Archives, prisons and person-centred historical praxis: doing social history research on incarceration in colonial Africa

Bringing together methods and perspectives from critical archive studies, African history, social history and critical prison studies, this article considers the opportunities, challenges and ethical considerations that arise when doing social history research on colonial African prisons using official archives. We argue that while such records can provide valuable information, engagement with these documents needs to be grounded in recognition of their ‘person-ness’. This involves acknowledging the power dynamics and coercion that shaped the creation and content of official archives, prioritising the experiences of incarcerated people, and using the records in a way that recognises the limits of consent in terms of their origins and use. By turning to a person-centred historical praxis, researchers can not only play a key role in furthering our knowledge of colonial carceral systems but can also help to challenge these systems and their afterlives.

Palliative Social Work Services for Cancer Patients in Southeast Nigeria: An Exploration

Palliative social work services are essential for addressing the complex psychosocial needs of cancer patients, particularly in resource-constrained areas like Southeast Nigeria. Despite the recognition of social work in palliative care for cancer patients, effective delivery faces significant challenges impacting both social service delivery and patient outcomes. This study investigates the provision of palliative social work services for cancer patients using in-depth interviews with 18 participants (six social workers and twelve cancer patients) from two hospitals in Southeast Nigeria. Participants were purposefully sampled based on their roles in providing or receiving palliative care support. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that social work palliative services encompass psychosocial support, spiritual guidance, and educational resources. However, social workers encounter barriers such as emotional stress, burnout, communication gaps, financial constraints, and socio-cultural factors. The study suggests that regular debriefing sessions and educational programs could improve palliative care delivery. Policy advocacy is recommended to recognize and support the pivotal role of palliative social workers in cancer care. Future research should explore innovative strategies using quantitative methods to overcome barriers and enhance palliative social work effectiveness across diverse cultural and healthcare contexts, ultimately improving social service delivery to cancer patients and advancing social service research.

Islam dan Gerakan Sosial: Studi atas Resistensi Guru Tarekat Menghadapi Pemerintah Hindia Belanda di Jawa Timur pada Akhir Abad XIX-Awal Abad XX

This article proves several findings related to the crisis period involving the lives of teachers and religious practitioners in Java from the 19th to early 20th centuries. Even though their perspective on life is usually not concerned with world affairs, it is known that several Tariqa or Sufi teachers led social movements against the Dutch East Indies government. Of course, this was an anomaly, considering that usually the Company's enemies or people who the Company suspected from among Muslim religious leaders were kiai or hajjis. Tariqa teachers have a different identity from the two. Through social history research, by looking back at several records and reports left by the Dutch East Indies government, new information can be obtained about the involvement of this esoteric group in the arena of resistance against colonialists. Using historical research methods, several findings were obtained regarding the role of tariqa teachers in that period, especially in their efforts to build anti-colonial networks in East Java.

A primer for post qualitative inquiry

ABSTRACT Because post qualitative inquiry begins with the immanent ontology and concepts of poststructuralism, it cannot be another humanist empirical social science research methodology. This article includes discussions of the origin and ontology of post qualitative inquiry as well as its refusal of the human sciences’ man and his methods. Post qualitative inquiry may be useful for psychology to come and a people who do not yet exist.

Can Generative AI improve social science?

Generative AI that can produce realistic text, images, and other human-like outputs is currently transforming many different industries. Yet it is not yet known how such tools might influence social science research. I argue Generative AI has the potential to improve survey research, online experiments, automated content analyses, agent-based models, and other techniques commonly used to study human behavior. In the second section of this article, I discuss the many limitations of Generative AI. I examine how bias in the data used to train these tools can negatively impact social science research—as well as a range of other challenges related to ethics, replication, environmental impact, and the proliferation of low-quality research. I conclude by arguing that social scientists can address many of these limitations by creating open-source infrastructure for research on human behavior. Such infrastructure is not only necessary to ensure broad access to high-quality research tools, I argue, but also because the progress of AI will require deeper understanding of the social forces that guide human behavior.

Correction: Conflicting ‘mother-scientist’ roles. An innovative application of basket analysis in social research

Correction: Conflicting ‘mother-scientist’ roles. An innovative application of basket analysis in social research