Information distribution and ownership
I’m currently mulling around a bunch of thoughts and half-formed opinions on the distribution, ownership and attribution of ideas and information in an age of free-flowing digital media.
One of my current concerns is the tension between perceived needs one the one hand for attribution, academic traceability and ownership of ones own words; and on the other hand for privacy. This is seen in sharpest relief in solicitations for academic surveys. Routinely such instruments come with a disclaimer pointing out that all answers will be anonymous. Well-structured surveys and questionnaires, though, often also contain a section for general comments and feedback. In most cases I do not want this to be anonymous – indeed I would rather it formed part of a dialogue between the researcher and subjects, allowing both to benefit, learn and develop.
I am considering taking up a habit of always adding my contact details to academic survey submissions to deliberately challenge the assumption that I wish to be an anonymous donor of information, and to encourage researchers to participate in a community of interest.
Some things I have read recently on associated topics include:
Mathemagenic » Blogging research: attribution and ownership of ideas
For years Frank Carver has been paying attention to the strange world of convergent technology. During that time he has discussed and researched broad subject areas, come to some surprising conclusions, produced and distributed digital media, scattered ideas and opinions like sparks from a firework, and above all consulted for businesses both large and small to help develop and deploy successful systems, services, and products in this highly complex arena.
Lilia Efimova | July 16th, 2008 at 17:50 #
Frank, I think the issue you are rising is a very important one: often it’s the people being studied who have to be credited for interesting insights. Researchers might prompt those ideas by asking smart questions, as well as position and amplify them…
I was contemplating of writing a full post on in, but it time is running out before the holidays, so probably later. In a study I’m doing now I want to attribute words to the participants – will see how it works.
Mathemagenic » Bloggers as public intellectuals and writing about them in a research report | September 3rd, 2008 at 11:15 #
[...] blogging research I came across a nice summary of the issue from a research participant side in a post by Frank Carver (bold is mine): One of my current concerns is the tension between perceived needs one the one hand [...]