New social networking and social web tools are becoming available and are easing the process of customizing online social environments. With these developments in technology, core design efforts are being extended beyond usability for individual users and beginning to include notions of sociability for the engagement of communities of users. This thesis is an investigation of these developments. It is guided by the principal research question: how do you design for social engagement in an online social environment intended to facilitate interaction in a community of users? To address this question, this thesis presents a domain-community model developed from the communities of practice concept and the Work Domain Analysis model used in Cognitive Work Analysis. The domain-community model provides a basis for the design a composition of web components for an online social environment that will addresses issues of social engagement and domain effectiveness. In a case study, the domain-community model was used as a basis for the redesign of a social networking portal used by an international development leadership community called UCP-SARnet. A social network analysis of core members of UCP-SARnet was conducted before and after the portal was redesigned. From the social network analysis, it was concluded that the structure of UCP-SARnet was positively affected by the redesign: core group members reported they knew one another significantly more after the redesign of the website than before the redesign. User experience measures of the UCP-SARnet portal, website usage data, and a tally of website communication activity also changed significantly with the redesign of the website. This provided more evidence that a design informed by Cognitive Work Analysis and communities of practice produced a measurable effect on the structure of the UCP-SARnet online community. As such, this model can provide a basis for designers of online communities to more systematically account for social phenomena in relation to collective efforts in a given work domain. Furthermore, it is expected the effectiveness of the model can be taken forward with future work by refining the domain-community model, developing techniques to translate the model into interface concepts, and building practices for community-based research and design.

This document contains a creative work – the text of a young adult novel, The girl and the sea – and an exegesis examining the MySpace Generation through the methodological prisms of online ethnography and literature review.

Αναμφίβολα οι υπηρεσίες κοινωνικής δικτύωσης αποτελούν μία νέα μορφή επικοινωνίας. Στοιχειοθετείται έτσι η ανάγκη χρήσης των κοινωνικών δικτύων και στην ιατρική. Στην παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία το ενδιαφέρον μας στρέφεται γύρω από τo σχεδιασμό και την υλοποίηση ενός συστήματος κοινωνικής δικτύωσης με ιδιαίτερη εφαρμογή σε ιατρικά θέματα. Αφού κάνουμε μια εισαγωγή στο θέμα μας και προσδιορίσουμε το στόχο μας στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο, προχωράμε στον δεύτερο και κάνουμε μια ανάλυση του τι είναι κοινωνικό δίκτυο. Αναφέρουμε κάποια ιστορικά στοιχεία σε σχέση με το πως εξελίχθηκαν τα κοινωνικά δίκτυα και αναλύουμε τα οφέλη των κοινωνικών δικτύων. Επίσης αναφέρουμε τις βασικές λειτουργίες που συνήθως παρέχουν τα κοινωνικά δίκτυα αλλά και όσα εξειδικεύονται στον τομέα της ιατρικής επιστήμης. Στη συνέχεια, στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο, γίνεται μια σκιαγράφηση του χώρου με αναφορά στα συστήματα κοινωνικών δικτύων που υπάρχουν μέχρι σήμερα γενικά, αλλά και συγκεκριμένα στο χώρο της ιατρικής. Στο επόμενο κεφάλαιο γίνεται λόγος για τις τεχνολογίες που εφαρμόσαμε κατά την υλοποίηση της διπλωματικής εργασίας. Στη συνέχεια παρουσιάζουμε το σύστημα που δημιουργήσαμε το οποίο δίνει τη δυνατότητα σε ιατρούς από διαφορετικές ειδικότητες να συζητούν για διάφορα επιστημονικά θέματα, να μοιράζονται αποτελέσματα της επιστημονικής τους έρευνας κι έτσι να ανταλλάσουν ιδέες με συναδέλφους τους. Επίσης δίνεται η δυνατότητα στους ιατρούς να δημιουργήσουν νέες επαγγελματικές επαφές και να αναζητούν γνώμες συναδέλφων σε δύσκολες περιπτώσεις, καθώς και να μένουν ενημερωμένοι για τις επικείμενες εκδηλώσεις. Η διπλωματική μας εργασία κλείνει με τον επίλογο και τις αναφορές που χρησιμοποιήσαμε, χωρίς τη βοήθεια των οποίων δεν θα ήταν εφικτή η ολοκλήρωση της. / Undoubtedly the social networking services are a new form of communication. The need for the social networks shows also in medicine. In this paper our interest is focused on designing and implementing a social network with particular application in medical matters. After doing an introduction to our topic and define our goal in the first chapter, we go in and do a second analysis of what the social network is. We mention some historical facts in relation to how the social networks have developed and analyze the benefits of social networks. We also mention the basic functions typically provided by a social network and those specializing in medical science. Then in the third chapter there is an outline of the space reference in social networks that exist today general and specifically in the medical field. The next chapter talks about the technologies used in the implementation of the thesis. Then we present the system we created which allows doctors from different disciplines to discuss various scientific issues, share results of their scientific research and thus exchange ideas with colleagues. It also enables doctors to create new business contacts and to seek opinions of their colleagues in difficult situations and stay informed of the upcoming events. Our work closes with an epilogue and the references we used, without whose help the completion of the thesis would not be feasible.

This study examines the relationships between celebrities and their followers through social networking sites (SNS). A total of 239 participants completed the survey through MTurk. The results show that celebrities’ self-disclosure on SNS increases their Parasocial Interaction (PI) with fans. In addition, when a celebrity is perceived as trustworthy, s/he would have a higher PI with fans. Meanwhile, celebrities’ self-disclosure was not associated with trustworthiness. Furthermore, time spent on SNS was also not associated with PI. This study also found that type of celebrity does not determine the degree of influence they have on the followers. People have almost same parasocial interaction with their favorite celebrity whether the celebrity is a singer, athlete, actor, or any other. Additionally, there is no specific social networking site on which people have a stronger PI with celebrities. PI with celebrities on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and the other platforms is almost the same.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to represent the first empirical attempt to explore global-local consumer identities as drivers of global digital brand usage. Specifically, this study considers a unique category of digital products, social networking sites (SNS), and develops a set of hypotheses to assess the mechanism through which location-based identities influence the actual usage of global SNS (Facebook and Instagram). Moreover, cross-country variations are investigated under the lens of developed vs developing countries. Design/methodology/Approach: Cross-country surveys in a developed (Austria) and a developing country (Thailand) were conducted. Data collected from 425 young adults were analyzed using SEM techniques in order to test a set of hypotheses. Findings: Results show that in Thailand, users with a global identity enjoy participating in global SNS more than their counterparts in Austria. In addition, consumers with a local identity in Thailand demonstrate less pleasure when participating in global SNS than their counterparts in Austria, and consequently are less inclined to use global SNS. Practical implications: Findings provide digital marketers with useful insights into important strategic decisions regarding the selection and potential adaptation of global digital brands according to the country context. Originality/value: This research is the first to extend the location-based identity research in the context of global digital brands, explain how global-local identities predict SNS usage through an engagement mechanism and investigate cross-country variations of this mechanism.

abstract: Technology is rapidly evolving, and mental health professionals are increasingly using technology in their clinical work. In reaction to this shift, it is important that research examines the ethical implications of online behaviors. The current study examined the online practices of graduate students in the mental health field and generated prediction models for online client searches and best practices in informed consent and online disclosure. The sample consisted of 316 graduate students in counseling, clinical, and school programs. Of those with clinical experience, a third had utilized the Internet to find information about their client. Progress in the participants' program, as measured by credits completed or in progress, and years of social networking experience were positively related to online client searches. The vast majority (over 80%) of individuals who conducted an online search did not obtain informed consent prior to the search. Curiosity was the most frequent reason given for conducting a client search. Previous professional discussions and belief that information online is private were not significant predictors of obtaining informed consent. The final analysis examined disclosure of client information and found that lower scores on ethical decision-making and years of social networking experience predicted online disclosure. This study is an important step in understanding the implications of the intersection of technology use, ethics, and clinical practice of graduate mental health professionals. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.C. Counseling Psychology 2012

Magister Artium - MA / Contemporary research has pointed to the importance of social media in the lives of young people today. This project aims to explore the emerging discourse conventions and generic structures of chat conversations on social networking media applications such as MXit, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and WhatsApp. The data for this project was acquired from undergraduate students between first- and third-year of study at the University of the Western Cape across four years (2010-2012 and 2014). The data is of three types: instant messaging chats which were collected from 2010 to 2012, and questionnaires and a focus group interview which were conducted in 2014. The main theoretical frameworks used for this project are genre and register theory by Martin and Rose (2003), Eggins and Slade (1997), Chandler (1997), Eggins (2004), Halliday and Hasan (1985). Bock (2013) and Spilioti (2011) were also used for the chat analyses. In this project I argue that although generic structures in instant messaging (IM) are conventionalised they still show a great amount of hybridity and fluidity. One of the main findings illustrates how different participants choose to begin and end their chats, whether it is with or without a greeting, and although they may be flouting the conventions of IM chatting they are not necessarily considered to be impolite. Furthermore, the findings of this project explores how the evolution and advancement of technology has contributed to the style of chatting as well as the norms of instant messaging as a genre.

At the intersection of digital identities and new language and social practice online is the concept of searchable talk (ST). ST describes the process of tagging discourse in a social networking service (SNS) with a hashtag (#), allowing it to be searchable by others. Although originating in Twitter, ST has expanded into other SNS, and is used therein not only to mark language-based posts, but also multimodal posts and images. While scholars have elucidated the structure and function of ST, their studies have primarily examined ST within language-based posts; few have researched ST with respect to images and other types of multimodal environments. In addition, ST has primarily been explored in its SNS of origin, Twitter. This project directly addresses these gaps by adopting a social semiotic approach to ST in three SNS with very different technological affordances, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest. Through a multimodal discourse analysis (Kress, 2009) combining both linguistic and other visual methods, I ask how visual and linguistic choices operate semiotically across SNS environments with different affordances and constraints. Specifically, I uncover the multiple meanings of Beyoncé across a data set of 300 tweets, posts, and pins composed from entering #Beyoncé in the search engine of each SNS. I argue that 13 meaning-based identity categories emerge for Beyoncé, and link these meanings to their visual and linguistic expressions. I then compare these findings across modes and across platforms. Ultimately, I assert that this cross-platform approach elucidates Beyoncé as a cultural object subject to reinterpretation where #Beyoncé means much more than just “Beyoncé.” That is, when considering its multiple roles and meanings, #Beyoncé becomes a site of visual and linguistic indexicality in a process of entextualization. In this process, it is SNS users’ reinterpretations – linguistically and visually – that realize racist, sexist, and hegemonic Discourses, as well as those of emancipation and resistance.

Background. In England and the UK there has been a move to provide the consumer with more choice in over the counter medicine. In recognition of the number of drugs now available without prescription, new models and frameworks are being utilised with the aim to educate the public about self-treatment. How health information is sought has also undergone transformation with the advent of the internet, the adoption and utilisation of this resource has had a significant impact on how the healthcare consumer seeks information. Aims and Methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the provision of and access to consumer health information in England, specifically with reference to over the counter medicines to promote understanding of the consumers attitudes and opinions to this type of medicine and their health information seeking behaviours. The findings of the study were used to provide recommendations to the stakeholders involved; healthcare organisations, healthcare professionals and the healthcare consumer. The research consisted of a survey (n=324) and was analysed using quantitative and qualitative methods. Results. The majority of respondents utilised over the counter medicine responsibly and with few adverse events. The General Practitioner is the main source of information and online sources the next most utilised resource. Effectiveness and following advice/recommendations were amongst the themes identified that made a treatment episode with over the counter medicines successful. Unsuccessful treatment episodes included those with escalation of symptoms. Factors governing successful health information seeking were problem solving through self diagnosis and expanding knowledge on an existing health issue. Conclusions. Over the counter medicines are a widely used commodity but respondents continue to have a heavy reliance on the general practitioner for prescription medicines, especially for minor ailments. Evidence exists that individuals utilise information seeking behaviour for self treatment and the use of over the counter medicines. However, adoption of self care models need to be increased through educating health care consumers to maximise the potential benefits of these frameworks for the stakeholders.

SILVA, Antônio Cesar da. Não contavam com a nossa astúcia: apropriações em sites de redes sociais e suas relações com a cidade, o caso BuracosFortaleza no twitter. 2011. 135f. – Dissertação (Mestrado) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Programa de Pós-graduação em Comunicação Social, Fortaleza (CE), 2011. / Submitted by Márcia Araújo (marcia_m_bezerra@yahoo.com.br) on 2014-04-01T16:46:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2011-DIS-ACSILVA.pdf: 1306607 bytes, checksum: 5b7043a6ef1705599b47d6306e543f3f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Márcia Araújo(marcia_m_bezerra@yahoo.com.br) on 2014-04-01T16:47:51Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2011-DIS-ACSILVA.pdf: 1306607 bytes, checksum: 5b7043a6ef1705599b47d6306e543f3f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-04-01T16:47:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2011-DIS-ACSILVA.pdf: 1306607 bytes, checksum: 5b7043a6ef1705599b47d6306e543f3f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Essa dissertação tem como objetivo refletir sobre as apropriações em rede, especificamente, nos sites de redes sociais. Como objeto estudo a ação #BuracosFortaleza, mapeamento colaborativo realizado em 2009 por um grupo de sete jovens usuários da capital cearense que utilizaram a plataforma Twitter para gerar repercussão e viralizar a campanha entre os outros usuários do site. Na abordagem teórica, procuro um entrecruzamento entre as idéias de apropriação tendo como referência autores como J. Thompson, Michel De Certeau e Jesus Martín-Barbero, as noções de redes e sites de redes sociais de autores como Raquel Recuero e Manuel Castells e, por fim, as relações entre cidades e tecnologias e uma breve associação com as idéias de territorialidade e multiterritorialidade, neste momento recorrendo novamente ao pensamento de Martín-Barbero e trazendo as reflexões de Rogério Haesbaert. Para dar conta da abordagem do caso, aplico como estratégia metodológica entrevistas com os sete realizadores da ação e ao resgate de documentos, matérias e publicações sobre a ação publicadas na época da realização da campanha. Encontro, por fim, aproximações entre as idéias de “imprevisto” e “inusitado” empregadas por De Certeau e da lógica de redes facilitada pelo uso das redes sociais online, assim como observo que essas ações hoje, por estarem intimamente relacionadas com o lugar de onde partem revelam possíveis novas formas de viver a cidade.