Social Research Research Articles

Vulnerability and Social Control at the Margins: A Contribution to an Interdisciplinary Trialogue on Vulnerability

AbstractThis paper is part of a special section which brings three different approaches to vulnerability into conversation with one another to foster interdisciplinary co-operation in vulnerability studies. The essay focuses on UK-based applied social science research which centres dynamics of care and social control in how vulnerability is created, experienced and governed, through attention to the voices and perspectives of those deemed vulnerable. Bringing together key themes from a number of empirical studies, the essay provides an overview of theoretical approach on vulnerability, associated research methods including co-production with ‘vulnerable’ people, then draws together insights from the studies and implications for future directions in vulnerability studies. In focussing on lived experiences of those who are socially disadvantaged, disproportionately victimised and at the same time deemed a social problem and controlled in ways that intensify suffering, the essay sets out how social control and marginalisation might usefully be held more to the fore in vulnerability conceptualisations to offer firmer foundations for supporting social justice.

Practice and Experience of Corps Colleges and Universities in the New Era of the Communist Party of China's Unity and Stabilisation of the Borderlands

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out when attending the Fifth Session of the 13th National People's Congress that "national unity is the lifeline of all ethnic groups in our country, and the sense of community of the Chinese nation is the basis of national unity". Based on this, this study takes the creation of national unity and progress in colleges and universities as the main line, selects the national national unity and progress in the creation of demonstration units - Shihezi University as the object of study, comprehensively applies the comprehensive social survey research methods such as literature research, participant observation, interviews, etc., sums up the specific practice of Shihezi University in practicing unity and stabilisation of Xinjiang, and puts forward targeted, comprehensive, and effective measures for the creation of Xinjiang's national unity and progress in Xinjiang. The study will summarise the concrete practice of Shihezi University, put forward targeted and exemplary opinions on the creation of national unity and progress, promote the implementation and development of the concept of "unity and stability" in the whole territory, and offer suggestions for the realisation of social stability and long-term peace and stability in Xinjiang.

Where is the wolf? A multi‐method comparison of social values and perceptions in a Swiss park

This article presents our recent experience studying public perceptions, discourses, and social values in Park Beverin, a Regional Nature Park in Switzerland. We applied four social research methods (news media analysis, survey with micro‐narratives, go‐along interviews, and focus groups), and delved into the subject of wolf Canis lupus adapting a triangulation protocol and systematic process from the health sciences. We observed the recurring perceptions of ‘wolf' throughout three of the four methods; however, depictions, values, prominence, and presence varied by method. Social values of the wolf were mostly silent when compared to other topics, and ‘wolf amplification' and ‘wolf fatigue' point to the need to rethink the social aspects in wolf management, conservation, and policy. The findings also show the need for diverse research methods for revealing social values and perceptions on sensitive topics that otherwise the use of one method may be masking or amplifying.

Wisdom affinity in the general population

BackgroundWisdom is an important coping resource for difficult and ambiguous life situations. Wisdom trainings have been developed in clinical and non-clinical settings. What has been missing so far are representative data on wisdom affinity from the general population. These are important regarding needs assessments and identification of risk groups with low wisdom affinity and potential problems in coping with difficult and ambiguous life situations.MethodThe study examined a population-representative sample of 2509 persons. Socio-demographic data, presence of chronic and mental illnesses was assessed, and wisdom attitudes by the 12-WD Wisdom Scale. The surveys were carried out by means of interviews and self-report questionnaires at the respondents’ homes, done by an experienced social research company (USUMA GmbH).ResultsOnly 6% of the whole sample appeared to be highly wisdom-affirmative (12-WD mean score 10 on scale 0–10), whereas 4% may appear low wisdom-affirm, due to very low agreement (12 WD mean score 0–4). Most of the moderately wisdom-affirm people had a religious denomination (70.9%), whereas only 57–59% of the high or low wisdom-affirm persons reported religious affiliations. Low wisdom-affirm were most often chronically ill (25%), with mental or physical illness in similar frequency, and had significantly more unemployment times than persons with higher wisdom scores. Wisdom affinity was independent from age, gender and age, household situation, and higher school education.ConclusionIt must be assumed that people with socio-medical risk factors also have impairments in their wisdom-related problem-solving strategies, and that these can be of interest for transdiagnostic wisdom trainings in prevention or rehabilitation, which has shown positive effects.

Research Progress of Two-way Social Support for the Elderly

This paper gives a comprehensive overview of the classification of social support, as well as the definition of two-way social support, its intrinsic meaning and corresponding measurement tools. At the same time, through a detailed review of the international and Chinese two-way social support research status, the current research hotspots and trends are explained. In particular, this paper points out the shortcomings of the research on two-way social support for the elderly in China. In view of these shortcomings, this paper proposes future research directions and development prospects in this field, in order to provide valuable references for further research and practice in this field.

Chronic and contextual identity salience: Assessing dual-dimensional salience with the Identity Salience Questionnaire (ISQ)

ABSTRACT Identity Salience is a common construct within social identity research. However, researchers note that it is poorly defined and inconsistently operationalized. We posit that identity salience comprises two elements: chronic (perpetually thinking about the identity) and contextual (only thinking about the identity when prompted) salience. We present evidence for this claim through the development and validation of the dual-dimensional Identity Salience Questionnaire (ISQ). Studies 1-2 (Ns=414; 1,069) provide exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic evidence of the ISQ among LGBTIQA+ participants. Study 2 also provides evidence of measurement invariance, convergent, predictive, and discriminant validity, and internal reliability. Study 3 (N=318) indicates strong test-retest reliability. Study 4 (N=107 social psychologists) confirms the ISQ’s content validity. Future research for the ISQ is discussed.

Exploring Environmental, Social and Governance research in the wake of COVID‐19: A bibliometric analysis of current trends and recommendations for future research

Exploring Environmental, Social and Governance research in the wake of COVID‐19: A bibliometric analysis of current trends and recommendations for future research

Families and the legal socialization process: the impact of symbiotic harms

ABSTRACT Past research has offered an important starting point for understanding the legal socialization process, known as one’s ever changing orientation about the legal system. However, little is known about the extent to which family members influence adolescents’ legal socialization. Using the year 15 (wave 6) survey data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study dataset (N = 2,749), the current paper explores the association between parental and sibling police contact and legal cynicism as one dimension in the legal socialization process. This study examines how the family experience of a police stop may be an overlooked mechanism in the transmission of perceptions about the law. Results suggest that teens’ own experiences are important, and sibling police contact strengthens this effect, warranting further exploration of family in legal socialization research. We highlight the potential role of police contact as a symbiotic harm – one that flows between familial relationships.

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA-ADVERTISING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEORGIAN COMPANIES

Guliko Katamadze E-mail: qatamadze.guliko@bsu.edu.ge Associated Professor, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University Batumi, Georgia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5198-3890 Abstract . The use of social media advertising as a means of marketing communication is gaining strategic importance for companies operating in Georgia. Social media-advertising research is all the more relevant for those firms that are trying to deliver a marketing "message" to a wide audience with minimal costs and brand positioning in the market. The relevance of the problem is determined by the fact that the influence of social media advertising on the development of Georgian companies, their branding process and the effectiveness of the returns received from the investment of their marketing activities has not been properly studied. The purpose of the research is to develop the best mechanism for using social media advertising for companies operating in Georgia, to determine the most favorable form for use as a marketing communication tool based on user behavior. Methods of data collection and observation were used to develop the paper. We used the collection method to assess the possibility of using social media advertising by companies operating in Georgia, and the observation method - to determine the potential of their social media space, based on which the possibilities of increasing the effectiveness of companies through social media advertising were identified. As a result of the research, it is clear that Georgian companies use social media advertising to improve their brand, to attract a new target audience. Social media advertising has a strategic importance in increasing the effectiveness of companies operating in Georgia at all stages of their operation. Accordingly, we can refer to the complex combination of traditional and electronic businesses as a result of using social media advertising, which will help to increase the marketing efforts of companies operating in Georgia and, as a result, their competitiveness and operational efficiency. Keywords: Social media-advertising, marketing effectiveness, social media-space, business. JEL classification: M31, M37

Der Einfluss transnationaler Unternehmen auf lokale Politik in Bergbauregionen

AbstractThis paper analyses how transnational mining companies influence decision-making processes and public policies in communities adjacent to industrial gold mines. Most social science research on mining focuses on the emergence and dynamics of social conflicts over mining and overlooks the political influence mining companies exert by implementing development programmes to gain social acceptance. This paper fills this gap and develops a refined understanding of the multiple layers of political influence of companies in mining areas. It finds that mining companies spatialise corporate interests, contribute to an informalisation of political decision-making, assume quasi-governmental functions and, in this way, intensify the privatisation of local politics. This paper draws on approaches from critical governance research, critical geography and participation theory. It analyses corporate influence by distinguishing between socio-spatial, political-institutional and political-developmental forms of influence that companies use to create social acceptance for their particular mining project. Empirically, this paper is based on a comparative case study of corporate influence in communities near industrial gold mines in the Argentine north-west and southern Patagonia. For conflict research, the article offers a novel framework for shedding light on the workings of corporate micropolitics in mining areas beyond manifest conflicts. This contribution illustrates that mining companies have the capacity to mould political institutions and public policies by implementing development programmes that are in fact designed to serve corporate purposes.

The surveillance, gamification and datafication of children’s finance: a feature and tagline analysis of child finance apps

Purpose Children’s finances are increasingly digitised through the emergence and development of a range of finance applications, or apps, for managing chores, saving and spending. This paper aims to offer a preliminary scoping study of these child finance apps in the nascent consumer research area of children’s FinTech. Design/methodology/approach This paper undertakes a qualitative analysis of the design features and marketing taglines of child finance apps to explore their role in the digitisation of children’s financial literacy, consumer socialisation and economic agency. Findings The present analysis reveals five key design functions of child finance apps: chore management; child savings; payment and spending systems; parental control features; and banking and finance features. Furthermore, three key child consumer themes emerge from the analysis of these child finance apps: gamification of child household labour; surveillance of children’s consumer participation; and datafication of children’s financial lives. Originality/value To date, there is little research into the increasingly popular use of child chore, consumption and financial management apps, and thus a research gap or problem is that we do not yet have sufficient understanding of how finance apps operate through their design and marketing to influence the financial conditions of contemporary childhoods. This study is significant in bringing theories of surveillance, gamification and datafication from digital platform studies to the fields of childhood studies, children’s consumer research and child FinTech studies. The findings suggest that child finance apps use gamification features to encourage children’s financial learning, surveillance features to enable parenting care in children’s financial development and datafication to exploit children’s financial data within the finance industry. This study is clearly limited to the app environment, and so future work should investigate the use and perceptions of these apps in more detail using more situated social research methods with families and children.

Does personality matter: examining the value of personality insights for personalized nudges that encourage the selection of learning resources.

Nudging is a mechanism aimed at influencing people's behavior while maintaining the individual's freedom of choice. Nudges have been adopted in learning contexts where individuals are responsible for shaping their learning and, at the same time, receive guidance from the system. Not everyone responds to nudges in the same way. While social science research indicates that individual differences play a crucial role in peoples' nudgeability, there has been little research examining computational approaches that explore how individual differences affect user responses to nudges (especially in a learning context). Two studies were conducted to explore how individual differences, specifically focusing on personality, can affect nudge response in the context of healthcare education, where individuals use resources as a part of their informal learning and professional development. Different nudges, designed based on personality characteristics, were provided to draw individual users' attention to educational resources to encourage user engagement. The findings indicate that personality insights can be a predictor for nudge selection, suggesting that different nudges may be more effective when recommending learning resources to people with different personality characteristics.

Bibliometric and visualized analysis of social network analysis research on Scopus databases and VOSviewer

Bibliometric and visualized analysis of social network analysis research on Scopus databases and VOSviewer

교육 분야의 요인분석 방법 실태 및 사회과학 연구분석 가이드 프로그램 개발

Objectives In this study, we intend to develop a factual situation of factor analysis methods in the field of education and a social science research analysis guide program. Methods In order to investigate the factor analysis method of the literature in the field of education, an analysis layer tool is selected, and the selected tools are used to analyze the education-related literature of the last five years (2019-2023). Based on the analyzed contents, a survey is conducted on educational researchers, and based on the results, a Delphi technique is conducted to determine the cause. Based on the identified causes and data, a model of the social science research analysis guide program will be selected, and the program of the selected model will be developed. Results Big data harvesting was selected as the analysis layer tool, and as a result of using it, 74.6% (1,400 articles) used the right angle rotation method as a factor rotation method among 1,876 documents that released factor analysis methods among 55,400 documents in the field of education over the past five years, and 25.4% (476 articles) used the square rotation method. Nevertheless, as a result of analyzing the cause of why most of the square rotation methods are not used, research in the field of education tends to rely on experts or companies due to lack of reference, advice, and statistical knowledge, and it can be found that the selection of research methods is influenced by the excellence of past practices and results, and the need for statistical knowledge is emerging due to the generalization of previous studies. It provided data on the causes of analysis method selection and preferred statistical knowledge acquisition for a group of experts in the field of education and statistics, and analyzed opinions on the social science research and analysis guide program model. It was divided into eight characteristics: automation of research methods, practical applicability, learning forms, provision of various analysis methods, user convenience consideration, update and maintenance, consideration of non-majors, and measures to overcome limitations. Based on these characteristics, the development of the social science research and analysis guide program was completed by dividing it into one main program and two auxiliary programs, and dividing it into three website pages. Conclusions The social science research analysis guide program will be operated free of charge after continuous update, revision, and supplementation by establishing a dedicated website. By allowing anyone to utilize all development components through the Git Hub, it is intended to help develop a more suitable and complete social science research foundation by improving the statistical lack of knowledge and the conventional form of using prior papers. Even if the statistical understanding was high while developing the program, there was a limit to fully presenting all social science research and analysis methods. This will improve through continuous updates, revisions, and supplements, but fundamentally, just as arguments conflict depending on whether statistical methodology is important like factor analysis or whether interpretation and use of results are important, various analysis methods are also difficult, and the developed program presents soft answers. It is hoped that more suitable research and analysis guides will be developed with shared data in the future.

Female-specific perspectives in social work research in sub-Saharan Africa: literature review

ABSTRACT In this article, the focus is on social work in sub-Saharan Africa from a female-specific perspective. The article answers the following two questions: what are the most central questions around female-specific perspectives in social work research in sub-Saharan Africa and what kind of emphasis does social work have or recommend for working with women? The aim is to provide international dialogue and new openings for Nordic social work research and practice. The analysis is based on data collected by conducting an integrative literature review. The results show that the importance of women´s perspectives in sub-Saharan Africa is an issue linked to gendered poverty, inequality and gender-based violence. The included studies deal with health issues, including maternal health, sexual health and reproductive health. Social work emphasizes measures based on spirituality and communities, where a female-specific perspective is understood as part of communal structures. An analytical examination of social work in African countries can develop Nordic social work practice and the discipline so that it considers the meaning of female-specific issues as part of communal resources, spiritual practices and global inequality.

Replication to first-year undergraduate students’ knowledge of academic misconduct

Student academic misconduct continues to vex higher education institutions in the United States and internationally. The COVID pandemic learning environment yielded more rather than less reports of student academic misconduct. Substantial empirical research has considered the nature of academic misconduct in higher education institutions by identifying its antecedents and correlates. But given the reproducibility crisis in social research, the quality of knowledge that students have on academic misconduct warrants further empirical corroboration. With the intent to replicate, this study used Quantitative Content Analysis to examine 2631 written responses from first-year undergraduate students as they participated in academic misconduct programming implemented by a public university in the United States. Results reported a staggering proportion of first-year students possess piecemeal (at best) or non-existent (at worst) knowledge over citations/references and cheating. Furthermore, such proportions are uneven according to specific college membership. Results corroborate prior research that first-year undergraduate students hold limited understanding of academic misconduct in its premises, patterns, and processes. In turn, results support the design and use of systematic preventive mechanisms to address academic misconduct among higher education institutions.

Diversity and multiplicity in uncertain times: the category of “difficult knowledge” in the sensitive contexts of education and social research

This article explores the category of “difficult knowledge” within the sensitive contexts of education and social research amidst contemporary global transformations. Uncertain times marked by humanitarian crises, wars, migration, and socio-economic shifts challenge the stability and security of societies. Difficult knowledge encompasses emotionally charged, complex topics integral to social, political, and educational spheres, compelling individuals and groups to confront uncomfortable truths and deconstruct human understanding. This concept, introduced by Britzman (1998), addresses the cognitive and emotional struggles in engaging with traumatic representations of historical and social events. The paper highlights the necessity for educators and researchers to navigate these challenges, fostering critical and reflective analyses while managing their psychological impacts. It underscores the dual role of researchers as both empathetic human beings and objective professionals, particularly in extreme field conditions. Additionally, it discusses the implications of conspiracy theories as a form of difficult knowledge, emphasizing the need for educational strategies that promote critical thinking and resilience. The article calls for greater attention to the sensitivities of the research process and the ethical responsibilities in studying and teaching difficult knowledge.

Disability and the stratification of post-secondary pathways: Evidence from a large administrative linkage.

Research has linked disability to differential experiences and outcomes for students at multiple levels of education. To date, however, available data sources have prevented comprehensive analyses of the statistical relationship between disability and the pathways traveled by students through Ontario post-secondary education (PSE). Through this study, we examine this topic by leveraging a large multifaceted linkage that brings together rich administrative data from the Toronto District School Board (Grades 9-12), Ontario college and university enrollment records (2009-2018), as well as government student loans and tax records. We use these data to statistically model differences in the PSE pathways traveled by more than 33,000 TDSB students. Our analyses identify statistically significant differences in the likelihood that students with/without disabilities will travel certain PSE pathways. However, such differences shrink drastically once we control for high school-level factors (e.g., academic performance, absenteeism). We elaborate on the importance of these findings for both social stratification researchers and policymakers.

The Influence of Social Commerce Dynamics on Sustainable Hotel Brand Image, Customer Engagement, and Booking Intentions

Social commerce plays a significant role in various aspects of the hotel industry. By using social commerce platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and hotel booking websites, hotels can enhance their brand visibility, engage more effectively with guests, and stimulate hotel bookings. Nonetheless, prior research reported a lack of studies in this area, namely social commerce in the context of domestic tourism. Drawing on Stimuli–Organism–Response (SOR) theory as being a well-established framework in social commerce research, this study seeks to examine the impact of social commerce on hotel booking intentions, both directly and indirectly, by considering the mediating effects of both brand image and customer engagement. This research used an online survey questionnaire as a tool for collecting primary data from domestic tourists in Egypt during the period from January to April 2024. The study sample encompassed 315 participants who were recruited using the convenience sampling technique. Using Smart PLS 4.0 software, Structural Equation Modeling was performed to examine the proposed model and hypotheses. The results highlighted the significant impact of social commerce on both hotel brand image and customer engagement, which in turn encouraged booking intentions among potential domestic guests. The results also supported the significant mediating effect of hotel brand image and customer engagement in the relationship between social commerce and hotel booking intentions. This study provides some theoretical contributions to the literature of hospitality management by addressing notable gaps in knowledge. This study also suggests some practical implications for industry executives that support their social commerce techniques and boost booking intentions and behavior among domestic tourists such as creating visually attractive content, sponsoring virtual mega events, actively interacting with social media followers, and incorporating booking functionalities in social media platforms. In so doing, hotels can boost their sustainable marketing practices to target a promising market segment by exploiting Web 2.0 capabilities.

Exploring the theory and ethics of autoethnographic social research with adult survivors of childchood sexual abuse (CSA)

This paper deals with the phenomenon of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) as an experience of those overpowered by it in the past: the survivors. It introduces on-going autoethnographic social research, on survivors of CSA by a survivor of CSA. The theoretical foundation and context of the research is delved into in detail, before giving an outline of ongoing research of the author. The empowerment theory is used as the main theoretical orientation, tagging other related concepts onto it, before linking it to the research methodology. This practice is autoethnographic and arts-based, as well as activist, as it has the aim at being a tool to empower both the participant and researcher alike. Ethics of such research are considered and ethical approaches are proposed, in order to strike a balance between protection and safety, as well as participation and visibility. This paper frames the act of abuse as overpowering, and focuses on the subsequent process of empowerment, post-abuse. The research has two main agendas: to keep the body in the forefront of the investigation, defined as every part of the human body, including the mind; and the survivors' process of empowerment. The paper ends with conclusions and considerations based on the theoretical framework but also the hypothetical, not yet conducted part of the research. This paper gives an insight into the process of research development, a snapshot of the journey of a novel researcher.