Computers, Phones and the Internet: Domesticating Information Technology

Ch. 12. Social and Civic Participation in a Community Network. John M. Carroll, Mary Beth Rosson, Andrea Kavanaugh, Daniel Dunlap, Wendy Schafer, Jason Snook, Philip Isenhour

ABSTRACT:

Our research investigates whether and how the Internet can enhance involvement and participation in one’s local community. Does a network of local services and content actually get used by community members? And if it is used, what effect if any does it have on their community-oriented attitudes and behaviors, such as memberships in voluntary associations, feelings of community attachment, activism with respect to community issues, and so forth? We investigated this with a multifaceted panel study of 100 households in Montgomery County, Virginia, incorporating surveys, face-to-face interviews, remote session logging, and online discussion forums.

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