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Empirical insights on technology use for navigating human services.
- Source :
- Journal of Technology in Human Services; Oct-Dec2020, Vol. 38 Issue 4, p331-351, 21p, 4 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- A considerable portion of the US population still lacks access to technology, which causes challenges for marginalized communities to access information and services. Research on the digital divide exists in various contexts, but few have examined it in the context of human services. This study examines the impact of socioeconomic status on the methods of communication used when searching for service-related information. We analyzed both quantitative and qualitative data collected from 63 low-income and/or current human service users in Albany, New York. Education showed positive associations with smartphone ownership and personal computer use. Income was found only significant for tablet use. Non-whites were more likely to use mobile apps to web browsers compared to whites. Qualitative analysis revealed three key themes (i.e., availability, ease of use, and usefulness) as influencers of individual preference of methods. Our findings suggest that the digital divide is not merely about the income level but also educational background and culture. Human service professionals need to consider multiple channels to reach targeted populations for service delivery. Particularly, the collaboration between service providers and public libraries is worth examining to ensure the physical access and skills training for those who experience the digital divide at multiple levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- HEALTH services accessibility
ANALYSIS of variance
CHI-squared test
COMMUNICATION
CONCEPTUAL structures
STATISTICAL correlation
CULTURE
INTERPROFESSIONAL relations
RESEARCH methodology
MEDICAL care
MEDICAL technology
PERSONAL computers
PORTABLE computers
RESEARCH funding
SURVEYS
T-test (Statistics)
INTERNET searching
QUALITATIVE research
DIGITAL divide
EMPIRICAL research
QUANTITATIVE research
SOCIOECONOMIC factors
ACCESS to information
THEMATIC analysis
SMARTPHONES
MOBILE apps
DATA analysis software
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
MIDDLE-income countries
LOW-income countries
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 15228835
- Volume :
- 38
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Technology in Human Services
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 146525963
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/15228835.2020.1789025