48 research outputs found
Representation of Africa online: sourcing practice and frames of reference
The dominant perspective on the representation of Africa in the western media claims that western media coverage is bias and crisis orientated and the liberal perspective claims that the coverage of Africa is not as negative as is often assumed. However, there is a paucity of literature on the representation of Africa online. This research enquiry is relevant because literature claims that the Internet has the potential to resolve the journalistic predicament of representing other culture through political participation and deliberation. But this requires a re-orientation of the sourcing practice of news organization to embrace sensitivity to and knowledge of African cultures. Moreover, the journalistic predicament can be resolved or not depending on the news gathering approach adopted by the news organization. Literature has identified two approaches, that is, âgatekeepingâ used mainly by dominant traditional media and âgatewatchingâ used by alternative media in their quest to counter mainstream ideology.
This study examines the impacts of the âgatewatchingâ approach adopted by Africa Have Your Say (AHYS) website on its representation and frames of reference of Africa. It uses on-site observation, in-depth interviews and textual analysis to gather data. The study found that although the sourcing practice at the AHYS is elaborate and complex, the âgatewatchingâ approach makes its susceptible to second level agenda setting. Hence, its frame repeats the attributes and tone used by the mainstream traditional media. However, a minority of users did not use repeat this frame in their comments
Understanding Context in Learning?centred Approaches to Climate Change Communication
Communication on climate change research has long been dominated by top?down delivery of information aimed at informing on future climate scenarios and climate?related events. However, emphasis in this field is slowly shifting to more process?oriented approaches to communication, and the need to integrate learning is receiving increasing attention. This article argues that despite the challenges in shifting research communication on climate change into a more dialogical and learning?oriented model of practice, the realities faced by communities impacted on the ground make this shift imperative. Drawing on recent research, we consider how the context in which initiatives seek to engage in research communication will and should influence what is possible and what is desirable through these new approaches. We reflect on how efforts to understand context in one particular case served to shape a communication strategy from its outset, and note the opportunities and challenges revealed through this process. We then conclude by highlighting how climate change has reinforced arguments in favour of a focus of inclusive learning processes in communication for development
Policy mixes for incumbency: the destructive recreation of renewable energy, shale gas 'fracking,' and nuclear power in the United Kingdom
The notion of a âpolicy mixâ can describe interactions across a wide range of innovation policies, including âmotors for creationâ as well as for âdestructionâ. This paper focuses on the United Kingdomâs (UK) ânew policy directionâ that has weakened support for renewables and energy efficiency schemes while strengthening promotion of nuclear power and hydraulic fracturing for natural gas (âfrackingâ). The paper argues that a âpolicy apparatus for incumbencyâ is emerging which strengthens key regimebased technologies while arguably damaging emerging niche innovations. Basing the discussion around the three technology-based cases of renewable energy and efficiency, fracking, and nuclear power, this paper refers to this process as âdestructive recreationâ. Our study raises questions over the extent to which policymaking in the energy field is not so much driven by stated aims around sustainability transitions, as by other policy drivers. It investigates different âstrategies of incumbencyâ including âsecuritizationâ, âmaskingâ, âreinventionâ, and âcapture.â It suggests that analytical frameworks should extend beyond the particular sectors in focus, with notions of what counts as a relevant âpolicy makerâ correspondingly also expanded, in order to explore a wider range of nodes and critical junctures as entry points for understanding how relations of incumbency are forged and reproduced
An evidence-based approach to the use of telehealth in long-term health conditions: development of an intervention and evaluation through pragmatic randomised controlled trials in patients with depression or raised cardiovascular risk
Background: Health services internationally are exploring the potential of telehealth to support the
management of the growing number of people with long-term conditions (LTCs).
Aim: To develop, implement and evaluate new care programmes for patients with LTCs, focusing on
two common LTCs as exemplars: depression or high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
Methods
Development: We synthesised quantitative and qualitative evidence on the effectiveness of telehealth for
LTCs, conducted a qualitative study based on interviews with patients and staff and undertook a postal
survey to explore which patients are interested in different forms of telehealth. Based on these studies we developed a conceptual model [TElehealth in CHronic disease (TECH) model] as a framework for the
development and evaluation of the Healthlines Service for patients with LTCs.
Implementation: The Healthlines Service consisted of regular telephone calls to participants from health
information advisors, supporting them to make behaviour change and to use tailored online resources.
Advisors sought to optimise participantsâ medication and to improve adherence.
Evaluation: The Healthlines Service was evaluated with linked pragmatic randomised controlled trials
comparing the Healthlines Service plus usual care with usual care alone, with nested process and economic
evaluations. Participants were adults with depression or raised CVD risk recruited from 43 general practices
in three areas of England. The primary outcome was response to treatment and the secondary outcomes
included anxiety (depression trial), individual risk factors (CVD risk trial), self-management skills, medication
adherence, perceptions of support, access to health care and satisfaction with treatment.
Trial results
Depression trial: In total, 609 participants were randomised and the retention rate was 86%. Response
to treatment [Patient Health Questionnaire 9-items (PHQ-9) reduction of â„ 5 points and score of < 10 after
4 months] was higher in the intervention group (27%, 68/255) than in the control group (19%, 50/270)
[odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 2.5; p = 0.02]. Anxiety also improved. Intervention
participants reported better access to health support, greater satisfaction with treatment and small
improvements in self-management, but not improved medication adherence.
CVD risk trial: In total, 641 participants were randomised and the retention rate was 91%. Response to
treatment (maintenance of/reduction in QRISKÂź2 score after 12 months) was higher in the intervention
group (50%, 148/295) than in the control group (43%, 124/291), which does not exclude a null effect
(odds ratio 1.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.9; p = 0.08). The intervention was associated with small improvements in
blood pressure and weight, but not smoking or cholesterol. Intervention participants were more likely to
adhere to medication, reported better access to health support and greater satisfaction with treatment,
but few improvements in self-management.
The Healthlines Service was likely to be cost-effective for CVD risk, particularly if the benefits are sustained,
but not for depression. The intervention was implemented largely as planned, although initial delays and
later disruption to delivery because of the closure of NHS Direct may have adversely affected participant
engagement.
Conclusion: The Healthlines Service, designed using an evidence-based conceptual model, provided modest health benefits and participants valued the better access to care and extra support provided.
This service was cost-effective for CVD risk but not depression. These findings of small benefits at extra
cost are consistent with previous pragmatic research on the implementation of comprehensive telehealth
programmes for LTCs
Jamaican bible remixed
BBC World Service Documentary by Robert Beckford on the publication of the Jamaican New Testament Version of the Bible
Seven wonders of Brazil
Robert Beckford explores the fusion of religion and culture in Brazil
Baseline Data: Evaluation of the Condom Normalization Campaign - 2007
The main objective of this baseline survey (2007) was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the target audiences with regard to condom perceptions and use in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra in India. This baseline study was conducted prior to the start of condom normalization campaign
Endline Data: Evaluation of the Condom Normalization Campaign Survey - 2009
The main objective of this endline survey was to evaluate the impact of the normalization campaign on knowledge, attitudes and practices of the target audiences with regard to condom perceptions and use in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra in India. Specifically, the research sought to determine if the campaign was successful in: (a) encouraging target audiences to discuss and seek information on condoms freely; (b) reducing the shame and embarrassment related to purchase and use of condoms; (c) positioning condom users as smart and responsible men; (d) encouraging men with non-regular partners to use condoms consistently