SPINNING A NORTHERN WEB: WOMEN USING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY TO NETWORK FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS by Christina McLennan B.S.W., University o f Victoria, 2001 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA April 2005 Christina McLennan, 2005 1^1 Library and Archives Canada Bibliothèque et Archives Canada Published Heritage Branch Direction du Patrimoine de l'édition 395 W ellington Street Ottawa ON K 1A 0N 4 Canada 395, rue W ellington Ottawa ON K 1A 0N 4 Canada Your file Votre référence ISBN: 0-494-04665-1 Our file Notre référence ISBN: 0-494-04665-1 NOTICE: The author has granted a non­ exclusive license allowing Library and Archives Canada to reproduce, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, communicate to the public by telecommunication or on the Internet, loan, distribute and sell theses worldwide, for commercial or non­ commercial purposes, in microform, paper, electronic and/or any other formats. AVIS: L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive permettant à la Bibliothèque et Archives Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public par télécommunication ou par l'Internet, prêter, distribuer et vendre des thèses partout dans le monde, à des fins commerciales ou autres, sur support microforme, papier, électronique et/ou autres formats. The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. L'auteur conserve la propriété du droit d'auteur et des droits moraux qui protège cette thèse. Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés ou autrement reproduits sans son autorisation. In compliance with the Canadian Privacy Act some supporting forms may have been removed from this thesis. Conformément à la loi canadienne sur la protection de la vie privée, quelques formulaires secondaires ont été enlevés de cette thèse. While these forms may be included in the document page count, their removal does not represent any loss of content from the thesis. Bien que ces formulaires aient inclus dans la pagination, il n'y aura aucun contenu manquant. Canada Abstract This case study explores women’s experiences using information and communication technology (ICT) to address women’s health concerns in northern, rural and remote communities in British Columbia. Incorporating features o f collaborative, action research methodology, an online focus group structure was created for 12 women from across northern BC to interact with one another and undertake internet-based activities. The setting for the study was the primarily internet-based Women North Network (WNN) which, within a health promotion framework, seeks to build community by strengthening connections between women across the North and supports information sharing, action and the development o f joint social and health-related research and policy initiatives. The WNN utilizes ICT as a means to overcome geographic isolation through the online components o f email, a publicly accessible website and a password protected Online Gathering Space supported through WebCT - a distributive learning tool used to provide post-secondary offcampus education. Through their experience using the WNN online components, study participants offer an understanding o f what is practical and meaningful for women using ICT and provide an account o f what supports and prevents their access to and participation in the WNN. Findings suggest that through encountering supportive relationships which build a sense o f community leading to concrete action women will become engaged in using ICT. Increased access to up-to-date computers, high-speed internet and the skills to use them effectively are also essential. Findings further suggest that by embracing the power o f ICT and networks such as the WNN, social work and other health promotion professions will have greater ability to include diverse communities in influencing and developing social and health policy and service delivery in northern, rural and remote communities. Ill Table o f Contents Abstract Table o f Contents i List o f Tables vi List o f Figures ix Acknowledgement x Introduction 1 Chapter One 3 Impetus for the Study 3 Rationale for the Spinning a Northern Web Study 4 Chapter Two 6 Purpose o f the Study 6 Statement o f Research Problem 6 Chapter Three 10 Researcher Standpoint Theoretical Perspectives Chapter Four 10 12 16 A Review o f the Literature 16 Women Networking for Health 17 Broad definitions o f health 17 Women-centred health and health movements 19 Women’s health networks 21 Women and Information and Communication Technology 22 Access and participation 23 Digital divide(s) 23 Using ICT for health and social change:Existing and emerging strategies 26 Building online eommunity 27 IV Social Work, Health and ICT 31 Social work contribution to health 31 Social work and ICT 32 Social work advocacy, community building and social change 33 Chapter Five 35 Methodology 35 Qualitative Study 35 Case study 37 Collaborative and action research features 39 Internet Research Methods 41 Modified Focus Group Process 42 Participants 42 Research Procedure 46 Phase 1 47 Phase 2 48 Phase 3 51 Data Analysis 52 In Search o f Rigour in Qualitative Research 55 Ethical Considerations 56 Chapter Six 58 The Case: Spinning a Northern Web 58 Phase 1 59 Phase 2 61 Phase 3 67 Chapter Seven 70 Results o f Data Analysis 70 Qualitative Thematic Analysis 72 Category 1: What Supports Participation in the Women North Network 73 Valued Feelings 73 Supportive Relationships 74 Sense o f Community 75 More Time 76 Coordinator 77 Up-to-date Technology 78 Technical Support and Training 78 Aids to “Navigating” 79 Category 2: What Women Gain From and Find Worthwhile About the WNN Online Strategy 79 Valued Topics 80 Valued Resources 81 Women are a Source o f Information and Resources 81 Email is Uncomplicated 82 WebCT Online Space is Interactive 83 WebCT is Visually Welcoming 85 WebCT is Convenient and Accessible 85 Category 3: Barriers that Prevent Participation in the WNN. 85 Lack o f Time 86 Realities o f Women’s Lives 87 Text Communication 88 Lack o f Others Participating 89 Lack o f Technical Skills 90 Technical Issues 90 Chal lenges with Lmai 1 91 Challenges with Online Gathering Space 92 Category 4: The WNN Supports Political and Social Action 93 Means o f Networking 94 Desire to Involve Other Women 94 Creation o f a Common Vision: 95 Organizing for Change 96 VI Category 5: A Focus on Health and Wellness Motivates Participation in the WNN 97 Connecting Supports Women’s Health 98 Health Promotion Focus 99 Information is Critical to Health 100 Focus for Action 101 Quantitative Analysis - Descriptive Statistics Chapter Eight 103 110 Discussion 110 Access Leading to Participation 112 Relationship and Community Building Leading to Action 115 Contributing to Women’s Lived Experience in a Positive Way 117 Significance to and Implications for Social Work Policy and Practice 118 Future Directions: Women Leading the Way to Equitable ICT 120 Recommendations for ICT Policy and Practice 120 Recommendations for Expansion o f Women’s ICT Networking Strategies 121 Recommendations for Future Development o f the Women North Network 123 Limitations in the Spinning a Northern Web Study 126 Implications for Online Research 127 Recommendations for Future Research 129 Conclusion 130 132 References Appendix A The WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space 141 Appendix B Check List for Spinning "Screening" Phone Interview 142 Appendix C Cover Letter for Participant Package 144 Appendix D Information Sheet for Participants 145 Appendix L Informed Consent Form 148 Appendix F Introductory Questionnaire 150 vil Appendix G Research Questions Posed in Phase 3 151 Vlll List o f Tables Table 1 WNN Online Components Used in the Spinning a Northern Web Study 7 Table 2 Sources o f Qualitative Data 71 Table 3 Categories and Themes 73 Table 4 Participant Messages Posted Throughout Project 103 Table 5 Participant Activity on WebCT 105 Table 6 Participation in Structured Activities 108 IX List o f Figures Figure 1 Total WebCT Activity: Phase 2 & Phase 3 107 Acknowledgement A dedication to working for improved health for women in northern, rural and remote communities provided the momentum to conduct this study. My conviction that information and communication technology (ICT) has an important role in tackling health and social problems compelled me to explore the Women North Network (WNN) as a means for women across the north to join together in addressing the conditions that impact so profoundly on their health and well-being. I would first like to thank the Spinners - the women who volunteered to participate in this project. Their commitment to and enthusiasm for learning about the WNN online strategy, and their fervour for exploring women’s health in this unique way, made this project an incredible learning experience for me. 1 stand in awe o f their passion for building strong, healthy communities in northern BC. No less important is the recognition and enormous thanks due to Dawn Hemingway, who provided the opportunity for me to explore ICT and the WNN through this project. As an educator, a thesis supervisor and a mentor; her encouragement, support and expertise have provided me with remarkable learning opportunities. Her tireless commitment to creating positive change in the community and her passion for social work have inspired and challenged me to aspire to become a force for a just and compassionate society. I am also grateful to my thesis committee members Gerard Bellefeuille and Lela Zimmer who provided assistance, encouragement, feedback and perspectives that were invaluable in completing this project. Thanks also go to Ange Boutilier whose support and expertise was critical to the development o f the WNN. Her contributions as technical research assistant during the project were invaluable in the Spinning project research process. A special thank-you goes to Lynda Williams, project leader o f the UNBC Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) whose wisdom and understanding o f ICT and its power to be a force for equality and positive social change, along with her extensive technical mentoring, was essential to me and to the project. Thanks also to all the “webworkers” at CTL and to the UNBC Computer and Telecommunications Services for their continued support for the WNN and their contribution to this study. The WNN resulted from the work and commitment o f many women from Prince George and across northern BC. Without them the Spinning a Northern Web project would not have been possible. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. Finally, and most important o f all, I thank my family and friends for their unconditional support throughout this amazing journey 1 have been on. I am eternally grateful to my husband Don for his patience, love and never-ending encouragement and belief that I could finish this. Thanks to my Mom for always reminding me to stop and BREATHE. To Sian, my dearest friend; thank you for listening to the rants, the tears and the joy and being the one person who could always help me regain my “centre”. I dedicate this work to my son Koby Thomas Louthen, whose sudden death in 1992, at age 17, prompted me to consider the world in a new, questioning way. Prior to his death he continually pestered me to “do something for m yself’ - helping put me on a path to find a new life through education and through working to change the inequalities and injustices that create such pain in the world. Thanks Buddy. Introduction Prospects for women’s health in northern British Columbia are far less optimistic than for their counterparts elsewhere in the province. Women in northern BC live an average o f four years less than women living in southern, more urban areas (British Columbia Provincial Health Officer, 2000). In the current federal and provincial political climate o f cutbacks to health and social services funding, issues related to women’s health and wellness in northern, rural and remote communities are o f grave concern (Hemingway, Fiske, & McLennan, 2002; Madrid, 2003). In order to bring a collective voice to these concerns, women in communities across British Columbia and the North are endeavouring to deal with issues at the local, regional and provincial levels through initiatives such as the BC Coalition o f Women’s Centres, Community Coordination on Violence Against Women, the Northern Women’s Wellness Information Centre, the Northern Women’s Forum, and the Women North Network. The concept o f collaboration and action is common to these initiatives. Women are collaborating and acting on issues by responding to the impacts o f funding cuts to Women’s Centres and other services to women; by addressing specific health issues related to violence against women; by creating initiatives that provide health information, resources, and women-centred services, such as a Reproductive Screening Program; and by building on women’s networks to reach out to women across the north on many o f these issues and to organize to positively impact health policy and service delivery. Women’s health and wellness has been a focal point that has historically mobilized women to collaborate on initiatives, movements, and collective strategies (Alexander, Larosa, & Bader, 2001 ; Clarke & Olesen 1999; Ruzek, 1997). Women’s health movements have addressed a range o f issues from the demedicalization o f women’s health to social justice. These movements have embraced political and social action principles along with education, information sharing, and advocacy to promote women’s health rather than focusing primarily on disease prevention (Lippman, 1998; Norsigian et al., 1999). Recently, women have recognized the value o f utilizing information and communication technology' (ICT) in their collaborative efforts. Pollock and Sutton (2003) describe this as an electronic strategy that employs ICT as a means to further the goals o f women’s organizations and that encompasses a focus on advocating for women’s increased access to technology. The Women North Network (WNN) Email News List, WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space, and the WNN Website are components o f an electronic strategy that are used by women in northern British Columbia to further their collaborative efforts. ' ICT refers to information and communication systems, hardware (equipment) and software (programs and applications required to use the equipment). It includes phone, facsimile machines, voice mail and computers, which includes the internet and electronic mail (email). It will also include the “organisational, informational and human contexts that are required for its functioning” (Scott, 2001, p. 411). Chapter One Impetus fo r the Study The WNN was established through a project funded by Status o f Women Canada which was designed, administered and implemented by Northern FIRE: The Centre for Women’s Health Research at the University o f Northern British Columbia (UNBC). Through a process o f consultation at community gatherings in 10 communities across northern British Columbia, women discussed and strategized about issues related to health for themselves, their families, and their communities. An inventory o f individual, organizational, and community skills, resources and expertise was compiled from information gained through these gatherings and women’s ways o f networking and collaborating locally, regionally, and provincially were discussed. A major outcome o f the project is the primarily online (internetbased) Women North Network which was envisioned as an electronic strategy that would assist women to build on current collaboration efforts and expand their existing networks. By becoming part o f the network, women from diverse geographical locations and experiences could continue to discuss and strategize about ways to improve health and wellness through influencing and developing health and social policy; initiating joint research and community capacity building projects; and sharing information, skills, knowledge, and local strategies for addressing particular issues such as violence against women, poverty, and inequality (Hemingway et al., 2002; Rodrigues, 2004). Currently, the WNN is maintained by a group o f women from the Social Work Program at UNBC and from community-based women’s health programs. The network has several online components. These include a website, an email news mail list, and an Online Gathering Space available through the Web Course Tool (WebCT) distributive (distance education) learning program at UNBC that is used to create online courses. The WNN Website is accessible to the public on the internet at the following web address: http://www3.telus.net/public/wnn/. The WNN Email News List is a distribution list that largely disseminates news items and announcements o f interest, through email, to women members who are primarily from communities in northern BC. The list has approximately 250 members and is moderated by the WNN volunteer coordinator. The Online Gathering Space feature o f the WNN is a password protected place for women to communicate, share information, and resources, engage in discussions related to health and social policy and practice issues for women. Furthermore, the interactive nature o f the Online Gathering Space provides an opportunity for women to collaborate on a range o f action strategies to promote positive change. The news email list is currently the most active component o f the WNN electronic strategy. Through my work as moderator o f the email list and one o f the contributors to the website and the WNN Online Gathering Space, 1 have received positive feedback from the members o f the WNN through both email and through face-to-face discussions. WNN members report that they appreciate and value the information sharing and topics for discussion on the email list and are enthusiastic about the idea o f the WNN Online Gathering Space. In order to move this work forward, it is important to discover what specific features o f the electronic strategy are most meaningful and significant to women. Rationale fo r the Spinning a Northern Web Study An evaluation o f the Women North Project submitted to Status o f Women Canada in 2002, raised issues that provide a focus for further development o f the WNN. Some o f the points raised in that report are: sustaining and further building the membership o f the WNN; training for women on the technological components o f the WNN; further expanding the information and resources provided through the network; and further exploring the capacity o f the WNN to address health and social policy issues through collaborative action strategies (Hemingway et al., 2002). The report concluded that it is critical for women in northern, rural and remote communities to explore the experience o f the women’s health movement and the use o f an electronic strategy to confront the conditions that lead to ill health in women and their communities (Hemingway et al., 2002; Pollock & Sutton, 2003). In response to this evaluation, the current study arose from a desire to explore the internet components o f the WNN as a strategy to address women’s health issues and to capture the direct experience of network participants as a guide to its future development. The rationale for this study is further supported by recommendations made by Rodrigues (2004) which came out o f her work as a practicum student with the Women North Network project. She emphasizes the value o f further developing and expanding the WNN because as cuts to social and health programs and services continue “the need to network, coordinate and share resources becomes more important than ever before” (p. 60) and the internet could have an important role in that process. Chapter Two Purpose o f the Study The purpose o f this study was to gain a better understanding o f the WNN online strategy for women addressing health issues and the experience o f women using information and communication technology to further their networking goals and activities. The voice o f women, expressed through this project, provides an understanding o f what is practical, meaningful and supportive for women using ICT. Within the setting o f the already established WNN Email News List, Website and WebCT Online Gathering Space, this case study o f women using ICT provided an opportunity for women to explore what issues are critical to the future development o f the Women North Network and other similar networks. Statement o f Research Problem This study. Spinning a Northern Web: Women Using Information and Communication Technology to Network fo r Health A nd Wellness, used a primarily qualitative approach to explore the question: Is the internet an effective/useful/appropriate means to support collaboration and coordination among women in northern, rural and remote communities to disseminate health and wellness information; to share resources and strategies; and to organize to influence health and social policy and service delivery? The setting for the research was the Women North Network Email List, the WNN Website and the Online Gathering Space (see Table 1). 1 proposed to explore and describe the following five questions: 1. What supports women in using the WNN? 2. What information and resources do women gain from the WNN online strategy that they can use in their work and in their day-to-day lives? 3. What makes using the WNN Email List and Gathering Space worthwhile? 4. What specific things about the WNN Email and Gathering Space prevent women from using it? 5. How does the WNN support women in moving their political and social action strategies forward? These questions were explored entirely online using the WNN Email List, Website and the WNN Online Gathering Space. Table 1 WNN Online Components Used in the Spinning a Northern Web Study Component Spinning a Northern W eb Interactive Email List (a subsidiary o f the WNN News Email List) • Comprised only o f research participants and researcher • Email communication am ongst participants • All messages go to all individuals on the list Features & Functions • N ew s items from WNN N ew s email list, also sent to this list W NN W ebsite (publicly accessible on the internet) • A link to the Spinning a Northern W eb page provides convenient access to: ■ Study purpose & goals ■ W ebCT Tutorials ■ Participant favourite documents and links ■ WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space log in page WNN W ebCT Online Gathering Space (password protected for WNN members only) • Internal email system • Discussion Forum • Live Chat • Links to internal and external websites and documents • W om en’s Profiles List • Calendar o f Events • W ebCT Tutorial and Library o f How Tos • Spinning a Northern Web Organizer Page with Purpose, Goals and Research Activities and project related links • Tracking and recording participant activity The Women North Network Email List is comprised o f email addresses o f the women who are members o f the WNN. The original list was made up o f women who were part o f the Women North Project. Over the past 2 years, new members have been added to the list as women have learned about the WNN and expressed interest in being a part o f it. Information, resources and news about a broad range o f women’s health and wellness topics is distributed 8 through the list. It is also a means for women to discuss issues o f concern and to plan action strategies. A subsidiary list o f the WNN Email List: The Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List (see Table 1) was created expressly for study participants and research activities. The Women North Network Website was developed to provide a way to access information about the Women North Network in a public way on the internet. Furthermore, it includes contact information, a backgrounder on and a presentation about the Women North Network. It accommodates links (often characterized by being underlined or an alternate coloured font) which provide a reference that points to and displays the target page or document when clicked. Links include other websites o f interest; information on becoming a member o f the Women North Network; a preview o f and a tutorial on the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space. As Table 1 indicates, for this project, a Spinning a Northern Web page was created and linked to the WNN Website homepage (an entry or welcome page both on the website and the WebCT Online Gathering Space - the main organizer page in WebCT). It has links to the purpose and goals o f the project and to the tutorials as well as links to favourite websites and documents that the research participants asked to be placed on the website. During the project, the website was administered by a technical research assistant who has extensive experience working with the WNN and was hired to assist the researcher and participants with technical issues. The Women North Network WebCT Online Gathering Space is a password protected internet-available place for women to communicate and interact (Appendix A). The UNBC Centre for Teaching and Learning has provided the Women North Network with access to WebCT which is used for UNBC distributive learning programs. As shown in Table 1, the Online Gathering Space includes a WebCT Internal Email communication tool that is restricted to WebCT and allows one-to-one or one-to-many messages; similar to regular email. It also includes a WebCT Discussion Forum that functions like a ‘virtual bulletin board’ where messages and replies to messages can be posted to various topics. Also featured is the WebCT Live Chat tool that supports real time text communication. Additionally, there are links to external websites; a calendar o f events; links to newsletters and documents; and links to various organizations which have created their own individual ‘sites’ within the WNN Online Gathering Space. The WebCT software also provided a means for the researcher to track participants. This includes how many times they visit the various features available to them, how often they read postings, and how often they post to the space; thus, providing a quantitative look at participant access to and utilization o f the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space. 10 Chapter Three Researcher Standpoint As a way o f ensuring rigour in this research study and as part o f ethical practice, it is important to situate m yself as researcher in this study and to acknowledge my role in the process (Caelli, Ray, & Mill, 2003; Davies & Dodd, 2002; Sandelowski, 1986). It is important that I start with my own experience in order to clarify my biases and locate m yself with regards to the issues that 1 am exploring (Campbell & Gregor, 2002; Reinharz, 1992). This will be a way for me to explore my worldview, presuppositions and assumptions along with grounding me in a mindful perspective o f how these may impact my work in this study. A mindful approach brings with it “the continuous creation o f new categories; openness to new information; and an implicit awareness o f more than one perspective” (Langer, 1997, p. 4) - all critical to credible research. In essence, this will become a framework for remaining attentive to my experiential way o f understanding the world and the theoretical perspectives that inform my ‘analytic lens’ (Caelli et al., 2003). I come to this research and to my social work practice from the stance o f a learner. I subscribe to various values, beliefs and perspectives and bring an understanding o f the world through my lived experience. However, these are within the larger standpoint o f discomfort with the notion that 1 may know something that could be considered complete. Theory may provide a context for me to be mindful o f various issues such as power relations, various constructs o f social problems, and ideas about ways to initiate social change; however, I choose to occupy a learning space that challenges me to consider where, how and why I subscribe to my beliefs and values and when, how and why I may be imposing those upon others. My interest In issues related to women’s health come not only from my own encounters with health and wellness, but also from the knowledge gained through working with women in northern BC who have experienced numerous oppressions. It has become apparent to me that women’s health is profoundly negatively impacted by poverty, violence, lack o f education and economic inequality. In particular, 1 am concerned about how these issues impact on women’s health in northern BC due to complicating factors such as geographic, social and cultural isolation; lack o f access to basic needs, appropriate housing and employment; and lack o f health and social services (Leipert, 1999; Leipert & Reutter, 2005; Madrid, 2003). Furthermore, these factors become more repressive and harsh when coupled with issues related to culture, sexual orientation, ability/disability, age and race (Leipert & Reutter, 1998). Working collaboratively with women from across the province to address issues o f violence against women, I noticed that women are empowered individually and collectively by drawing on their strengths and resources when working together to bring about positive change. It has become increasingly clear to me that, in order for women to meet their goals o f equality and freedom from oppression, it is critical to create a process for sharing resources, knowledge, and skills as well as to create strategies to address issues o f common concern. Working with women in communities that are diverse and geographically isolated with little in the way o f formal funding, makes it apparent to me that connecting and sharing must occur in ways beyond the traditional face-to-face means. Telephone, fax and email technology have served to connect women briefly on specific issues or for specific reasons. Creating broader connections in more organized ways may be a means to address and strategize about issues on an ongoing basis. I believe that there must be a way o f using 12 information and communication technologies, including the internet, to further women’s goals for social justice and equality leading to increased health and wellness. I am enthusiastic and hopeful about the role o f computers, internet and other technologies in furthering collective goals for positive social change in general and for women’s health in particular. However, 1 am mindful that these are ‘tools’ to be utilized and are not meant to replace traditional, collaborative strategies. This is o f particular importance because many individuals do not have access to computers and internet, to training opportunities and may not share this enthusiasm for technology. Furthermore, although I have had little formal training in how to apply technology to my work, I have a privileged social location allowing me to have easy access to computers and internet and have had many opportunities for informal learning. Working with women in northern BC to build a network that is concerned with broad issues o f health and wellness fits well within my experience. In particular, it is in keeping with my desire to work with women to build strong collaborative relationships working towards individual and collective empowerment. My role as Volunteer Coordinator o f the Women North Network situates me in a position to build on relationships within the WNN and to work with women to explore the questions posed for this study. Although I have a historical connection to the WNN, 1 am neither an expert on women’s health issues nor am 1 in any way an expert on the use o f computers, internet and other ICT related objects. I do however, bring my lived and learned experience to this process. Theoretical Perspectives In building a strengths-based social work practice framework, 1 draw on progressive, structural, anti-oppressive social work values and principles to inform my understanding o f 13 the context within which people strive to deal with issues at the individual, community and structural level. My perception o f a strengths-based approach means not only drawing on strengths, abilities and attributes to overcome or address issues and oppression (Saleebey, 2002), but also to recognize, affirm and cultivate strengths in order to create a new context within which change may occur. Structural social work embraces a progressive approach drawing on critical theory that seeks an alternative to the traditional view o f social problems which focuses on individual inadequacies (Mullaly, 1997). Traditional approaches view individuals as ultimately responsible for the difficulties they experience and the individual as the site for creating change. Progressive more ‘radical’ approaches link individual, personal, and social problems to structures in society created by particular groups who seek to maintain their socio-economic dominance (Fook, 1993). Structural social work draws on features from Marxist, social democratic, feminist and anti-racist approaches (Mullaly, 1997). These approaches support marginalized individuals and groups in uniting and collaborating on issues of common interest while at the same time recognizing and promoting diversity (Lundy, 2004; Mullaly, 1997). Structural social work principles recognize the importance o f individuals within the context o f their lived experience. The issues o f oppression that impact on the personal lives o f individuals are interrelated with the community and larger society (Lundy, 2004; Mullaly, 2002). From this perspective, working for positive change means working with (not on) individuals to change the structures in families, communities and society that currently result in inequality and oppression. A critical component o f working with individuals and 14 communities is to create positive change through a process o f empowerment with the goal o f challenging the structures o f oppression. Empowerment from a structural perspective is a process whereby oppressed individuals and groups come to recognize the structures that lead to oppression and the steps required to challenge and change those conditions (Ife, 1997; Lundy, 2004; Mullaly 1997). In order to do this, I as researcher must challenge hierarchical roles that are based on socially constructed positions within society. An integral part o f empowerment is to work together from a ‘power with’ or ‘power to ’ location, where each individual is an ‘expert’ in their own right (Bishop, 1994). A recognition that the role o f researcher carries with it an element o f ‘power over’ must be transparent throughout the research process. A more egalitarian relationship can be built between researcher and participants by adopting a ‘power with’ and ‘power to’ position that subscribes to open, reciprocal, supportive, inclusive, collaborative principles (Reinharz, 1992). These principles are fundamental to anti-oppressive social work practice. Oppression is a tactic used by groups o f individuals to gain power over other groups in order to exploit them in some way (Bishop, 1994). Anti-oppressive social work practice recognizes that individual private/personal problems are a result o f public/political issues (Carniol, 2000). It is about working at the individual, community and structural levels, building on strengths to create actions towards resisting and challenging oppression and changing “those institutional arrangements, social processes and social practices that work together to benefit the dominant group” (Mullaly, 2002, p. 193). The goal for me as a social worker is to be part o f creating positive social change. Social change is not solely about identifying and addressing specific issues, problems or deficits. It is about reconstructing a 15 world that individuals and communities have created for themselves through a process of working towards a positive existence. My research/practice framework is also informed by and incorporates values and principles o f women-centred health which includes the anti-oppressive, structural social work values o f empowerment, advocacy, social justice, equality, accessibility, participation and collaboration (Hills & Mullett, 2002; Lundy, 2004; Mullaly, 1997; Vancouver/Richmond Health Board, 2001). My skills and knowledge as a social worker have created a strong foundation for advocating for women-centred health and for collaborating on strategies and initiatives that work towards influencing and developing health and social policy that places women at the centre in issues that impact on them, their families and their communities. 16 Chapter Four A Review o f the Literature Through this research project, a group o f women had the opportunity to experience the Women North Network and its capacity to offer a meaningful and valuable setting for women in northern, rural and remote communities in northern BC to consider and address health and wellness issues. In order to understand the incentive for and foundation for the WNN, it is important to explore how health and wellness has become a central focus for women as they mobilize to share information and resources and to take action to collaborate on initiatives, movements and collective strategies (Alexander et al., 2001; Clarke & Olesen 1999; Ruzek, 1997). To do this, it is necessary to examine, through existing literature, a women-centred view o f health and well-being, and the roots from which it emerged. Furthermore, an exploration o f strategies used by women to challenge existing perspectives on health and to create an approach to health and wellness that places women’s values and needs at the eentre, will be presented. To understand the electronic strategy used by the WNN to further its goals for women’s health and wellness, it is important to gain an insight into women’s affinity for and use o f information and communication technology. In particular, consideration o f what supports and complicates their use o f this innovation and ICT is essential. Also o f significance is women’s use o f ICT to support health and social change initiatives through efforts that challenge inequality, and demand social Justice and empowerment for women. Furthermore, as this study holds implications for social work policy and practice, it will be valuable to explore social work contributions to and linkages with issues o f health and 17 wellness as well as to understand the significance o f ICT to social work advocacy, community building and social change activities. Women Networking fo r Health Broad definitions o f health Since the early 1970s, the concept o f health for Canadians has made significant shifts from the view o f health as solely a function o f the health care system, to discussions o f the factors that contribute to or determine health. This includes developing approaches to promote health that are based on principles derived from those factors. These discussions have shifted from prevention strategies aimed at encouraging people to embrace healthy lifestyles that reduce health risk, to a population health promotion strategy that encompasses a range o f health determinants that are fundamental for healthy lives (Public Health Agency o f Canada, 2002a). The founding document, A New Perspective on the Health o f Canadians, explored how health is created and suggested the concept that human biology, lifestyle, the environment and health care services are all important factors that influence health (Lalonde, 1974). Subsequently, in 1978 one o f the first worldwide discussions focusing on the determinants o f health was held at The International Conference on Primary Health Care in Alma-Ata, USSR where it was recognized that health is “a state o f complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence o f disease or infirmity” (World Health Organization [WHO], 1978, para. 1). According to the WHO (1986), the First International Conference on Health Promotion the Ottawa Charter fo r Health Promotion defined health promotion as: the process o f enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. To reach a state o f complete physical, mental and social well-being, an individual or 18 group must be able to identify and to realize aspirations, to satisfy needs, and to change or cope with the environment. Health is, therefore, seen as a resource for everyday life, not the objective o f living. Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities. Therefore, health promotion is not just the responsibility o f the health sector, but goes beyond healthy life-styles to well-being. This Charter has helped to shape the discussions o f strategies for the promotion o f health, which have resulted in the current focus on a population health promotion approach in Canada. In 1994, Strategies fo r Population Health: Investing in the Health o f Canadians defined nine determinants o f health (Federal, Provincial and Territorial Advisory Committee on Population Health, 1994) and more recently the last three were included: ■ Income and Social Status ■ Social Support Networks ■ Education and Literacy ■ Employment/Working Conditions ■ Physical Environments ■ Personal Health Practices and Coping Skills ■Healthy Child Development ■Biology and Genetic Endowment ■ Health Services ■Social Environments ■Gender ■Culture These determinants o f health provide the basis for a theoretical framework for addressing health and wellness in ways that are meaningful and effective for all Canadians. This framework recognizes that the determinants o f health are interlinked and related and that central to the definition o f a health promotion approach “is the notion that these determinants do not act in isolation o f each other [and] it is the complex interactions among these factors that have an even more profound impact on heath” (Public Health Agency o f Canada, 2002b, para. 13). Ismael (2002) suggests a health model that “addresses communities and its constituents . . . conceives o f health as an integral component o f quality o f life” (p.45), and is flexible to respond to the diversity in Canadian communities. It is these contexts for understanding health that are the foundation for the WNN and this research study. 19 Women-centred health and health movements Women-centred health and health care includes: respect and safety, empowerment, participation, collaboration, women’s ways o f communicating, information sharing, gendered research and evaluation, and social justice (Hills & Mullett, 2002; Vancouver/Richmond Health Board, 2001). Women’s experience is central and these principles are grounded in a broad understanding o f women’s health involving all aspects o f their well-being. Furthermore, health is influenced by the social, political and economic circumstances within which women live. These women-centred health principles are particularly important in northern, rural and remote communities in BC. Complexities related to violence against women, geographic and cultural isolation, lack o f appropriate health services, resource-based economies and lack o f access to basic needs further complicate health for women in these communities (Madrid, 2003; Leipert & Reutter, 1998; Leipert & Reutter, 2005). This context and these principles are well-documented as critical features o f concern for those working to redefine health and health care for all Canadians. The underlying premise o f gender as a determinant o f health is the recognition that “gendered norms influence the health system’s practices and priorities” and that “many health issues are a function o f gender-based social status or roles” (Health Canada, 2002, para. 13). Although the issue o f gender as a determinant o f health is a relatively new component within the Canadian government’s health promotion strategy, the women’s movement has long been active in advocating for a gendered approach to health care policies and practices (Alexander et al., 2001; Brodie, 1996). Historically, women have challenged the changing and evolving definitions o f health and the state o f health care through grassroots initiatives, women’s health movements and 20 other collective strategies (Alexander et al., 2001 ; Brodie, 1996; Clarke & Olesen 1999). They collaborate and coordinate to improve the conditions o f women’s lives by bringing social justice and empowerment principles to their initiatives (Lock, 1998; Ruzek & Becker, 1999). These initiatives include challenging unequal and oppressive social conditions and health care structures, policies and practices. Furthermore, they reconceptualize the notion o f health from that o f the focus on prevention o f disease to that o f health as a complex interaction o f multiple determinants and work to politicize issues related to women’s health (Lock, 1998; Norsigian et al., 1999; Winnipeg Consultation Organizing Committee, 1994). Women’s health movements have succeeded in bringing attention to issues such as reproductive health, sexuality, environmental and occupational health, menopause and aging, and violence against women. Along with efforts to demedicalize women’s health, the women’s health movement has also “provided a means for women to work collectively, to determine their own needs, to develop their own responses, and to validate their own experience and understandings o f health with a view to promoting it rather than preventing disease” (Lippman, 1998, p. 77). Although there have been some changes, the fundamental issues o f concern for women have not changed and women must continue to educate, advocate for and engage in political and social action for change (Norsigian et al., 1999; Ruzek & Becker, 1999). Women persist in their efforts by expanding on the strategies they have used in the past; building upon a foundation o f collaboration to establish coalitions and networks that advocate for individual and structural change. They are women networking for health. 21 W omen’s health networks A theme that endures throughout the discussion about women’s health, womencentred health care and the development o f women’s health movements is the notion o f ensuring participation, providing accessible information and communication linkages and promoting empowerment through collaboration and coordination (Fife et al., 2001 ; Kar, Pascual, & Chickering, 1999; Ruzek & Becker, 1999; Winnipeg Consultation Organizing Committee, 1994). Ruzek (1997) emphasizes the importance o f collaboration that involves not only health care providers but also community-based women’s service providers and women as community members. She also emphasizes the value o f sharing health information - a principle that is often lacking through formal health care services. Through their review o f education programs concerning women’s health, Fife et al. (2001) found that “ [a] common thread throughout. . . is that among the most successful o f the outreach activities are those that involve or incorporate existing community groups committed to women’s health” (p. 27). Furthermore, they stress the value o f collaboration, women-centred research, advocacy and education and suggest that strategies that women utilize at the local level can provide direction for the development o f strategies on a larger scale. These important principles o f access, participation and inclusion are essential to women-centred health promotion initiatives and to creating networks working towards increased health for women, their families and their communities. Using technological innovations as a means to communicate and network, in order to provide support for one another and to share information and resources, has a positive impact on women’s health (Bresnahan & Murray-Johnson, 2002). Health professionals and policy makers can facilitate women’s proactive efforts to inform themselves about health and 22 wellness by working with women to ensure that health Information provided In electronic forms Is empowering and available equally to all women (Pandey, Hart, & Tlwary, 2003). The Canadian Women’s Health Network (CWHN) supports networking for women’s health through utilizing ICT and the Internet to Increase women’s capacity to communicate, share Information and empower women to access the benefits o f technology (Winnipeg Consultation Organizing Committee, 1994). Women and Information and Communication Technology A recent consultation on women and the Internet Identifies the need for an electronic strategy (Pollock & Sutton, 2003) as part o f women’s networking activities. Issues related to women’s access to and participation In the Internet and other Information and communication technology must he an Integral part o f the strategy. ICT must become a priority for women’s political and social action agenda (Harcourt, 2002; Huyer & Carr, 2002; Ines, Munevar, & Arrleta, 2002). A strategy for action must link ICT-related activities, such as building a women’s health network, to the goal o f ensuring that all women have the opportunity for access to and participation In ICT and Internet. Identifying and building on existing and emerging strategies that support women’s access to and participation In the development o f policy and practice related to ICT and the Internet Is critical to this process. The process Is further strengthened by drawing on the Individual and collective goals o f building community and working towards equality, social justice and empowerment for women (Balka, 1997; Scott, 2001). In order for ICT such as the Internet to become effective tools (applications that assist In communication and collaboration) for women and other marginalized groups to redress oppression, there must be opportunities for gender-focused research that explores and 23 explains ICT as a site for study and acknowledges ICTs as potential data collection and analysis tools. This new area and means o f exploration provides opportunities for creating new knowledge in new ways (Scott, 2001) while at the same time creating opportunities for change that are critical to the research process (Zuber-Skerritt, 2001). Access and participation Access and participation is a fundamental aspect o f information and communication technology (Pollock & Sutton, 2003). Participation not only means access to the internet in order to retrieve information, but also access to the means to contribute to the development o f the role o f the internet and other ICT in women’s lives. Although access to information is an important feature o f concern, participation in the creation o f knowledge is critical and only becomes possible when women are able to interact in the process o f retrieving and sharing information (Scott, 2001). There is a perception that individual inability or lack o f desire to be involved impedes the use o f ICT. However, it is widely acknowledged in the literature that oppression and inequality are significant barriers preventing access to and participation in ICT. There are considerable divides between those who have access to ICT and participate in their development, and those who do not. Digital divide(s) The literature provides an in-depth discussion and debate^ regarding the digital divide which is fundamentally the “unequal access to information technology” (Light, 2001, p. 709). ^ Some o f the literature presents a dichotomy o f debates. This is described in Saco (2002) as “the ‘technological utopian’ position” arguing that “computer networking is revolutionizing society in positive ways” and “the ‘technological dystopian’ position” which argues that “computer networking, like other modem technologies, is changing society in decidedly negative ways” (p. xv). 1 have explored these issues in recent papers but a full analysis o f those arguments is beyond the parameters o f my thesis research. Although I have a decidedly positive attitude towards the value o f ICT, this attitude is counterbalanced by a keen awareness o f the dangers o f a hasty assumption that ICT can be a panacea for a troubled world. 24 Unequal access is the outcome o f a complex interaction o f gender issues, power relations and multiple social and political factors that support or deter access to ICT and the internet. There is no single divide, but rather a complicated set o f divides that interact and intersect (Eckdahl & Trojer, 2002; Huyer, 1999). These divides do not occur ‘ju st’ in cyberspace (the space within the internet or computer networks where such things as websites exist and email is transmitted) or ‘Just’ in real space, but rather they occur in both physical and virtual space (an environment that exists in cyberspace). They occur locally and globally, replicating and reproducing the same inequalities and oppressions that continue to marginalize and exclude (Escobar, 1999). Light (2001) observes that “powerful political and commercial interests have shaped the ultimate form and uses o f technology” (p. 726) and that these have often not been in the interest o f furthering social justice and equality. Eckdahl and Trojer add to the digital divide discussion by introducing the notion that the digital divide is a complex set o f social and economic factors that separate those who benefit from ICT and those who do not. They emphasize that the gender, cultural, ethnic, social and political power relations that exist in ‘real’ space, also exist in cyberspace. A great deal o f the literature suggests that the digital divide is gendered. Women have less access to the technology, skills and knowledge required to use ICT (Huyer & Carr, 2002). Women have limited resources necessary to support the use o f the internet including economic resources, adequate time to learn skills and then to use them, equal share o f computer time in the home and appropriate technical support (Pollock & Sutton, 2003). Factors that impact socio-economic status such as education, age, income, sex, race, employment, and marital status are factors that complicate the gender gap (Bimber, 2000). Geographic location, isolation and disability, coupled with socio-economic factors, further 25 alienate some women from the prospect o f enhancing their lives through access to the opportunities offered by ICT (Pollock & Sutton, 2003). Women must have an integral role in developing and shaping information and communication technologies (Huyer & Carr, 2002; Light, 1995). Rather than working towards changing ICT so that they are responsive to the needs o f women and other marginalized groups, the focus should be on empowering women to create spaces and practices that are consistent with their values and needs. Consequently, they will be creating technology that is responsive to the diverse needs o f many people and women will be empowered to use ICT to further their personal and collective goals and to bridge the divides that prevent women’s participation. Bridging the digital divides will involve attitudinal and structural change, which will only become possible when there is formal recognition o f the value o f ICT and computer technology by all levels o f policy makers and organizations (Balka 1997; Spender 1996). Furthermore, it must involve grappling with the challenging issue o f how to overcome the financial, physical and geographic barriers to ensuring that each individual has equal access to the ICTs that are quickly becoming the preferred and most widely used form o f communication and information sharing. Most importantly, the socio-economic structures and issues that contribute to inequality and oppression must be addressed (Balka 1997; Eckdahl & Trojer 2002; Light, 1995; Pollock & Sutton, 2003; Virnoche, 2001). Efforts to bridge the digital divides can be enhanced in the process o f expanding and building women’s networks to organize for change (Pollock & Sutton, 2003). This would include breaking down the barriers created by inequality and oppression, overcoming obstacles that prevent women from accessing, benefiting from and participating in ICT and 26 supporting women in further developing ICT. This is not something that can be done as an isolated effort focused on ICT only, but rather must be part o f the larger social change efforts that challenge these same issues. Using IC T fo r health and social change: Existing and emerging strategies Barriers that complicate and prevent access to and participation in the use and development o f ICT are similar to barriers to women’s access to health and wellness and to their participation in influencing health and social policy. The collaborative means that women use to redress issues that impact negatively on women’s health and to challenge the structures that reinforce the social and political conditions that allow for poverty, racism, sexism, inequality and oppression, have proved to be effective (Balka, 1997; Harcourt 2002; Winnipeg Consultation Organizing Committee, 1994). Feminist strategies to bring about social and political change provide expertise and experience that inform the process o f using ICT for health and social change (Harcourt, 2002; Hawthorne, 2001; Huyer & Carr, 2002). These emerging and existing strategies consistently draw and build on women’s enthusiasm for taking action to improve their own health and that o f their families and communities. Huyer and Carr (2002) call on women who use ICT in their organizing activities to include an overall goal o f promoting equality in women’s access to ICT. Providing and distributing information cannot be expected to create change but rather change occurs as women build capacity to engage in the creation o f new knowledge from the new information they gain (Scott, 2001). This can only occur if women have access to the resources that empower them to engage in this process o f change. Women have used ICT to enhance their feminist, collaborative, networking activities and have learned that computer and information technology can be incorporated into goals 27 for bringing about structural and social change at the individual, community and institutional levels (Balka, 1997; Harcourt, 2002; Huyer, 1999). ICT and the internet have become both the sites for women to engage in political and social activism and the tools with which to engage in political and social change activities (Harcourt, 2002; Hawthorne, 2001). They provide opportunities for women to organize and communicate and offer new possibilities for bridging social, economic and cultural barriers. At present, information and communication technology supports women’s networking efforts for improving their health by increasing their capacity to engage in work over vast geographic distances, and to reach larger numbers o f women and women-serving organizations (Crandall, Zitzelberger, Rosenberg, Winner, & Holaday, 2001; Ines et al., 2002). ICT will become an even more powerful tool for women and other oppressed groups to create health and social change when these groups have the capacity to create their own spaces and culture in cyberspace (Escobar 1999; Ines et al., 2002; Scott, 2001). Building online community Women and ICT would benefit from the creation o f places in cyberspace where women could collectively construct and deconstruct technologies to suit their world views and their goals for social change (Escobar, 1999; Light, 1995). Light (1995) suggests that women see technology as a means to increase their capacity to connect with others, to discuss and to organize. She also suggests that the creation o f female cyberspace does not necessarily mean that they must be women-only spaces, but rather they can be inclusive communities enriched by a diversity o f views that can educate and encourage participation. Spender (1996) agrees with the notion o f creating women-centred communities, however, argues that these spaces must be kept private (women-only) in order to preserve women’s safety and 28 voice. Both o f these features o f online community can be achieved by developing public spaces such as websites; women-only email lists; and private password protected spaces such as discussion forums and chat rooms that are all part o f an internet-based strategy for establishing an online women’s network (Hemingway et al., 2002). ICT promotes women’s goals o f building community for social change by offering opportunities for sharing information, collaborating and strategizing with partnering individuals and organizations and for reaching a large, diverse group o f women. It provides a virtual location for coalition building at the local, regional, national and international level (Pollock & Sutton, 2003). Integral to creating networks, coalitions and community is the process o f disseminating and sharing information to raise awareness o f issues and concerns. Scott (2001) suggests that in order to create change, information must be “grounded, and used, within a context o f strong relationships, with purpose and direction” (p. 417). Therefore the goal, in building online community is not only to provide information about social justice, empowerment and equality for women, but also to ‘create’ social justice, empowerment and equality for women. Two significant features that consistently emerge from the literature related to women-centred health and women-centred health care are social justice and empowerment for women. According to Ruzek and Becker (1999), “ [a]n important achievement o f the women’s health movement was transferring women’s health from the domain o f largely male experts to women themselves” creating “strategies for empowering women to define their own health” (p. 5). Furthermore, as women take back power over their health and health care, they focus on the social justice concerns o f ending poverty, racism, sexism and challenge the structural power relations that reinforce them (Lippman, 1998). When women are 29 empowered to take action to challenge social justice issues, they will become a force in creating and implementing health promotion strategies. The Winnipeg Consultation Organizing Committee (1994) underscores the value of women partnering to create coalitions and networks, such as the CWHN. They believe that women’s health networks are an indispensable strategy to address policy issues, to overcome the isolation and fear that marginalize women, and to transform fear and anger into social and political action. Furthermore, they suggest that through networking, issues such as vast geographic distances can be addressed, language and cultural diversity can be acknowledged and honoured, while at the same time, poverty and power relations can be specified as major barriers to overcome. In strategies developed to address women’s health issues, there must be a wideranging political analysis o f health determinants such as poverty and oppression that continue to negatively impact on women’s health (Leipert, 1999). There must also be advocacy directed at improving individual women’s lives, creating policy that supports women’s health and building advocacy networks (Lock, 1998; Norsigian et al., 1999). A significant concept that must be articulated with more clarity, in literature and research related to women networking for health, is the reality that the focus for women is often to create and implement strategies to improve their health at the individual and community level rather than seeking to influence health and social policy. Although women may be interested in and concerned with influencing policy, they are often caught up in the pragmatic task o f striving for improved health in an environment o f ever-decreasing funding, services and programs (Hemingway et al., 2002). It is critical that social and political action 30 aimed at changing policy be grounded in the wisdom and expertise that women have gained from their community building experience. It is imperative that social workers, researchers and health and social activists be aware o f how their own skills, knowledge o f and attitudes toward ICT can influence their ability to engage with women in the process o f learning about the value o f ICT. For some women, ICT may have become increasingly pivotal to their work inside and outside the home or valuable to their information and communication needs. Skills and expertise may have developed gradually as their technological needs evolved or as they gained increasing access to computers and the internet. Consequently, some women may respond favourably to the notion o f using ICT in new ways. They may recognize the possibilities for women to influence health and social policy and to take a lead role in the further development o f ICT and the internet. However, women who do not have access to ICT are also extremely important to the process o f discovering how to engage women and how to ensure participation and access. It may take more effort, care and sensitivity to engage and involve women who have few skills and complicated access to ICT. Eagerness alone will not overcome the fear and anxiety that some women have about using ICT and overly enthusiastic and confident mentors can create resentment and resistance to ICT (Spender, 1996; Virnoche, 2001). Virnoche (2001) presents a case for taking care when considering introducing ICT as a solution for increasing the effectiveness o f networks and organizations. She cautions that without adequate consultation, participation, planning and resources, ICTs can and do complicate matters. As ICT becomes more the ‘norm’ generally, it is important to think and plan critically about how one utilizes ICT and about who is excluded as organizations and 31 networks rely more heavily on ICT. Much o f the literature does not acknowledge or explore these aspects o f ICT and future research would benefit from including these enquiries. Social Work, Health and IC T Social work contribution to health Fundamental social work principles o f social justice and social change are consistent with the principles o f the population health promotion approach which, according to the Public Health Agency o f Canada (2002c), endeavours to: improve the health o f the entire population and to reduce health inequities among population groups. In order to reach these objectives, it looks at and acts upon the broad range o f factors and conditions that have a strong influence on our health, (p. 1) According to the WHO (1986), the fundamental conditions and resources for health as emphasized in the Ottawa Charter are: peace shelter education food income ■ a stable eco-system ■ sustainable resources ■ social justice ■ equity, (p. 1) The population health promotion approach also recognizes that “access to these prerequisites cannot be ensured by the health sector alone. Rather, coordinated action is required among all concerned, including governments (health and other social and economic sectors) non­ governmental organizations, industry and the media” (Public Health Agency o f Canada, 2002a, para. 7). Furthermore, according to Raeburn and Rootman (1998), health promotion builds from the strengths and lived experience o f people through individual and community development with attention to empowerment, social justice, cultural awareness, equity, and spirituality as they pertain to health for whole populations. 32 Anti-oppressive, structural social work policy and practice are particularly concerned with the social determinants o f health and social workers have the skills and knowledge required to respond to the interrelated issues that arise out o f those determinants. The social work profession stands poised to take on a lead role in population health promotion. With its expertise in and framework for working with individuals, families and communities from a strengths-based collaborative approach and its concern for creating policy that promotes social justice and equality, social work professionals contribute significantly to population health promotion in Canada. Although Health Canada presents a vision o f health and health care which recognizes that social, environmental and economic factors play an essential role in determining health, Canada has failed to adequately develop policy or implement programs and services based upon these principles (Lippman, 1998). Lippman emphasizes that structural social change and multi-sectoral health policy are fundamental principles for improved health, while Lock (1998) suggests that social justice is a prerequisite for health. Social work and IC T The social work profession has a long tradition o f using a variety o f approaches to advocate for a compassionate and just society. Practices and strategies have been developed that are effective when working with individuals to promote empowerment and freedom from oppression and when supporting individuals, groups and communities to engage in selfadvocacy and social change activities that focus on common issues o f concern. Additionally, approaches to advocacy for social change have emerged that challenge political and social structures that result in oppression, inequality and injustice. 33 Much o f the literature reviewed to date that is specifically related to social work and information and communication technology focuses on the internet as a means to gain and exchange knowledge and resources and to aid in finding new ways o f communicating with clients (Giffords, 1998). There is also literature that discusses technologies that enhance social work education and training (Coe & Menon, 1999); technology management and improved service delivery for human service organizations (Martinez-Brawley & Delevan, 1993); and impacts o f technology on human service organizational structures (Virnoche, 2001). Although these are all important factors to consider for social work policy and practice, they are not o f primary concern for this project. What is important is the relatively new area o f social work practice using information and communication technology for advocacy, community building and social change activities. Social work advocacy, community building and social change A fundamental component o f social work practice has been to employ effective communication techniques and tools to provide care, to promote self-help and empowerment and to build community through written and verbal means (Lishman, 1994). Communication has also been a primary factor in bringing about social change through informing, connecting and organizing individuals, groups and communities to address social policy issues. As innovation in communication emerges, social workers have the opportunity to integrate these new developments into established methods (Hick & McNutt, 2002). In recent years, ICT has provided new ways to enhance social work practice. Computers, fax machines, email and the internet have increased efficiency in record keeping and assessment; provided new ways to support self-advocacy efforts (e.g., the DisAbled Women’s Network Canada [DAWN]) and increased the capacity to communicate with and to 34 provide information and resources to large numbers o f people over vast geographic areas (e.g., PovNet). Social workers have the opportunity to utilize ICT to enhance their practice and, at the same time, influence and use the internet as a force for social justice and promotion o f community building and social development (Haskett, 2002; Lai, 2002). ICT is an innovative tool in the hands o f social workers as change agents. In this context, social workers are able to use this innovation to link individuals, groups and communities to resources and expertise and also to shape ICT in ways that are meaningful and that meet changing needs (Rogers, 2003). Rogers suggests that there are a range o f roles that agents for change can adopt to initiate work with individuals, groups and communities to embrace ICT. These include working to create an awareness o f ICT as a valued innovation to address specific issues o f concern and to faeilitate relationships that support exchange o f information. Furthermore, objectives for change can be achieved by linking intent to action strategies that utilize ICT and to foster independence and autonomy in order that individuals, groups and communities can take ownership o f ICT as an innovation for accomplishing their self-defined goals. 35 Chapter Five Methodology The Spinning a Northern Web: Women Using Information and Communication Technology to Network fo r Health and Wellness research study examined participant use o f the Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List (a subsidiary o f the WNN Email List created for this study), WNN Website and WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space - the components o f the WNN online strategy that are illustrated by Table 1 in Chapter Two. These features were explored as a setting for women using the internet to communicate with one another, to share information and to collaborate on action strategies. The WNN online strategy will be described in detail through the experiences o f the women who participated in the study - in their own words and from their unique perspectives. This was primarily a qualitative multi-method case study drawing on features o f collaborative and action research approaches (Grbich, 1999; Healy, 2001; Patton, 2002). In addition, it used tools o f the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space to provide descriptive statistics about the usage o f the various WebCT features. Before providing a detailed account o f the procedure for the study, broader questions about qualitative research, case studies and internet online research will be addressed. Qualitative Study Qualitative research produces data that are collected through textual and observed situations in their natural setting using processes that describe the event, incident or case. In contrast, quantitative research generates numerically expressed data that is analyzed statistically (Patton, 2002; Sherman & Reid, 1994). Qualitative data originate from three broad categories o f sources: interviews, observations and written documents that include 36 documentation and archival records; direct and participant observations; and physical items (Patton, 2002; Yin, 1994). Multiple methods o f data collection in the current study include textual data from email messages, WebCT Discussion Forums, and Live Chat sessions; an introductory questionnaire; participant evaluations at the completion o f each phase; focused discussions responding to five central research questions; and researcher observations. These multiple ways o f collecting data provide numerous viewpoints and perspectives. In this way validity is increased by providing clarification and support for the interpretation o f meanings through triangulation (Patton, 2002; Stake, 2000). Additionally, these methods provide a variety o f ways for women to participate and ensure that the process is meaningful and meets their individual needs and preferences; thus, making sense to them within the context o f their own experience (Denzin & Lincoln, 2000; Reinharz, 1992). It is not only important to understand the experience o f women, but also the unique context within which that experience takes place. Although the overall methodological approach was that o f a case study, the study included aspects o f collaborative action techniques for data collection and data analysis that value and heed study participant feedback and perspectives (Grbich, 1999; Patton, 2002; Reinharz, 1992). A bricolage method, described in Patton (2002) as a process that combines “old things in new ways, including alternative and emergent forms o f data collection” (p. 402) and analysis was also incorporated. This approach brings flexibility and the freedom to draw from a variety o f methods, theory, data collection and analysis in innovative ways. To fully describe and explore the experiential aspects o f the WNN as a case, it was important to not only report how women describe their experience o f participating in the WNN, but to explore how this new community fits with how they make meaning o f community. 37 Case study A case study approach to qualitative research provided a structure and a setting for the research (Creswell, 1998; Lincoln & Cuba, 1985). The case study has been defined as a research strategy (Yin, 1994), as the final product that describes a phenomenon (Merriam, 1988; Wolcott, 2001) and as a method o f data collection and data analysis (Miles & Huberman, 1994; Patton, 2002). There is no definitive agreement about whether “case study” is a methodology (Merriam, 2000) or an approach to analysis (Patton, 2002). It is commonly agreed that in whatever manner case studies may be understood and articulated, they clearly do support compelling descriptions o f social settings (Grbich, 1999; Stake, 2000 ). For the purposes o f this project, a case study approach was used as both a methodology and as an approach to analysis in exploring the Women North Network as a phenomenon. Utilizing a case study methodology allowed for a description o f the Women North Network as an example o f women using ICT to collaborate on issues related to women’s health. This provided an overall strategy for engaging with and describing this unique social setting. This case study can be seen as intrinsic because it involves describing a specific case (Stake, 2000) and as a method that allows for a thorough look at the phenomenon from the perspective o f the research participants and the researcher (Marshall & Rossman, 1999). As an approach to analysis, the case study method supported a process for gathering data that produced an in-depth account o f the WNN as an example o f women utilizing ICT to augment communication and networking activities. It provided for flexible and inclusive use o f all aspects o f the WNN as data for analysis by drawing on multiple forms o f information 38 (Patton, 2002). Along with textual data from discussion groups, email and other features used by the study participants, analysis also includes data from participants’ visual impressions o f the WNN Online Gathering Space (e.g., women-friendly graphics and the ‘look’ o f the site) as well as historical documentation (e.g.. Evaluation Report). A critical dimension in defining a case study is to ‘bound’ the case in time and space (Grbich, 1999; Merriam, 2000; Miles & Huberman, 1994; Stake, 2000). In this study, the case was bounded within the Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List, the WNN Website and the WebCT Online Gathering Space. The study described these specific internet spaces as women communicated and shared information and resources about women’s health and well-being over an eight week period. It also described the women’s experience o f shifting from connecting through the WNN Email List to the more interactive Online Gathering Space. The qualitative case study encompasses the features that best suited this research project by capturing with vividness and detail, the distinctive ways o f communicating and interacting when women come together in this unique way (Marshall & Rossman, 1999). Furthermore, case study method can be combined with other research methods such as collaborative/action approaches in order to understand and describe the experience o f women using this tool to address women’s health issues (Merriam, 2000). With the aim o f describing and examining the unique aspects o f the WNN Online Gathering Space, it was important for the research design to remain flexible and open to opportunities for collecting data as they were created through a collaborative process. 39 Collaborative and action research features Through collaboration aimed at creating change through action, study participants not only provide information about their experiences and perceptions when engaging in research activities but also have a role in shaping the direction o f those activities and nature o f their participation. Key features o f collaborative, action focused methodology include opportunities for creating knowledge through action and practice (Zuber-Skerritt, 2001). Such features provide for an anti-oppressive environment because the research participants become collaborators with the research (Healy, 2001). Rather than their experiences being merely researched, they may become empowered through the process o f being involved in the project. Through this collaborative approach, participants in this project acquired new skills and knowledge about health and wellness for women and about how technology can play a role in their lives. A collaborative, action process is liberating and honours lived experience and genuine partnership (Reason & Bradbury, 2001). Principles o f action learning and research, as explored in Zuber-Skerritt (2001), are founded upon the conviction that “there is no learning/research without action to follow, and no action without a knowledge foundation based on prior learning/research” and that whatever is “conceptualized and learnt must lead to action, improvement, development or change” (p. 12). This study incorporates the principle o f action leading to learning, leading to action by being attentive to and responsive to learning as it occurred. The process o f the research evolved as participants collaborated on decisions related to topics to be discussed and acted upon, approaches to taking action and ways o f developing the WNN that were useful and meaningful to them. 40 There were opportunities for women to be empowered through the research process. Participants are empowered as they become aware o f and increase their understanding o f issues with the intent o f creating a collaborative positive change (Grbich, 1999). Power imbalances inherent in the relationship o f researcher/researched were balanced through the collaborative process. Working towards health and well-being by challenging the determinants that lead to ill health and by recognizing and advancing those that promote and sustain wellness provided opportunities to discover the ‘power with’ and ‘power to ’ potential in collaborative relationships. The research was aimed at using real experience to guide a process o f change where participants are involved in, and in control of, the process o f inquiry and o f change; where collaboration between academic and community researchers is valued; and where there is a commitment to facilitate the empowerment o f study participants (Barnsley & Ellis, 1992; Morris, 2002; Patton, 2002; Reinharz, 1992). Additionally, collaborative action methods provide opportunities for academic researchers and members o f the community to collaborate “in the creation o f knowledge that advances community action and change” (Blanck, Ritchie, Schmeling, & Klein, 2003, p.54). Furthermore, collaborative action research is recognized as a means to meet the progressive social work goals o f working towards social justice through social change (Healy, 2001). As study participants moved from the Spinning Email List to the more interactive WebCT Online Gathering Space, there were three elements o f action: 1. Participants learned about the Women North Network WebCT Online Gathering Space which provided them with additional skills and expertise in using internet technology. 2. Participants had an opportunity to continue creating the WNN space to include the things most important to them. 41 3. An activity was chosen by the participants that involved them in using the technology to collaboratively strategize to create social or political change. The researcher acted as intermediary in creating and developing a collaborative relationship amongst the participants and in the research process by encouraging participants to engage with one another and through introducing participants to features that promote online interaction (e.g., the chat and discussion tools in WebCT). Within this general research design and plan, flexibility was incorporated to be responsive to women’s lived experience and to their input and feedback. Internet Research Methods In doing research within an internet-based setting, there are advantages, disadvantages, ethical considerations, research design issues and data collection and analysis issues that may be different than doing traditional qualitative research. Since technology is a relative newcomer as a setting for research, it is important that researchers consider including a component in their design that explores how the process o f using ICT in their study can inform future studies. Although this study focused specifically on the experience o f being involved in the WNN, the broader question o f using the internet in research was an integral part o f the process. Using the internet as a research tool has the potential to promote a more diverse participation o f people who may have historically been excluded due to geographic location or other barriers (Sixsmith & Murray, 2001). It provides a way for people to participate without having to leave their safe physical environment and without having to meet new individuals face-to-face. However, it is critical to acknowledge any differences in computer access and usage (Mann & Stewart, 2000) as well as variation in skills and knowledge, equipment, software, internet speed, technical support, time resources and beliefs about the 42 value o f ICT and the internet. For the purposes o f this study, participants were simply required to have regular access to a computer with internet capacity and have basic computer and internet skills. Modified Focus Group Process A range o f techniques was considered for this study, including conducting an online survey with current WNN members or face-to-face interviews with the women involved in developing the WNN. However, in the end, a modified focus group technique was adopted. An online focus group structure, that would be ongoing throughout the entire project, was developed for participants to interact with one another and undertake online activities. The focus group setting supports flexibility in the content o f and process for asking questions and encourages spontaneous dialogue (Mann & Stewart, 2000). It permits interaction among participants which can enhance the data gathering process; in fact, the opportunity to interact promotes participation (Patton, 2002). Questions are posed to the group to provide a focus for discussion and all participants are ensured the option to respond; furthermore the researcher may interact with participants to clarify, reflect back and check accuracy (Dudley, 2005). Mann and Stewart (2000) describe types o f online focus groups as ‘real tim e’ and ‘non real time’ (synchronous/asynchronous) or a blending o f the two. This modified focus group setting supported both real time dialogue and interaction using the live chat feature offered through the WebCT software and ongoing and non real time interaction through email and through WebCT email and discussion tools. Participants There are no clear guidelines about how many individuals are ideal for the focus group setting, although the range varies from as few as four to as many as 12 (Dudley, 2005; 43 Grbich, 1999; Mann & Stewart, 2000; Patton, 2002). The higher end o f the range was chosen for this project in consideration o f possible attrition due to unpredictable issues related to technology and to the many demands on women that may impact on their ability to participate throughout the entire project. A purposive or criterion, non-random approach to sampling was employed for this study (Dudley, 2005; Monette, Sullivan, & Dejong, 2005; Neuman, 2003; Patton, 2002). Through this sampling method, purposeful criteria such as geographic location, distinctive knowledge or common circumstances may be used when seeking in-depth information associated with the purpose o f the study (Dudley, 2005; Patton, 2002). Criteria for this study required that participants be women from northern BC communities, who had basic computer skills, and consistent access to a computer and the internet. Recruitment materials providing background information on the study and expectations o f participants were distributed through email to the WNN Email News List on two occasions, two weeks apart. Other networks picked up and further distributed the message with recruitment and background materials. These included the BC Rural Women’s Network; a provincial community development network; The Well (an electronic newsletter) by and for women in northern BC, as well as networks that reached out to communities in Alberta and the northernmost territories o f Canada. The information was also offered in printed paper copy by regular mail upon request. Electronic versions were accessible for viewing or downloading (saving to a computer file) from the WNN website and the WNN Online Gathering Space. Over 50 women from communities across the province, and as far away as Rankin Inlet, responded to the call for expressions o f interest in the project. Some asked for more 44 information, which they received by phone, email or by regular mail. In the end, 42 women confirmed their interest in participating and received a phone call (at their convenience) from the researcher to go over the items on a Spinning Initial Phone Interview Checklist (Appendix B). Some were unable to participate because o f geographic location, chronological availability, problematic access to computer and internet or insufficient technical skill level. The experience o f using ICT may vary for women o f diverse cultural backgrounds, age, geographic location and socio-economic circumstances (Pollock & Sutton, 2003). This study was limited to conducting a preliminary exploration into women’s experience o f using the internet to participate in the Women North Network. It was expected that data collection and analysis could reveal specific issues related to culture, age, ability/disability and socio­ economic circumstances; however, there was no expectation that all o f these features would be represented in the sample o f participants. Nonetheless, efforts were made to ensure that a range o f women was represented, particularly in terms o f geographic location, age, background and the roles they hold in their community. Ultimately, 12 women living in communities in northern British Columbia were selected and consented to participate in this research project. Initially there were 13 participants; however, one woman withdrew just hours before the project was scheduled to begin leaving no time to replace her. Once selected and a commitment to participate was confirmed by email, a package was sent to each participant by postal mail. The package contained a Cover Letter (Appendix C), an Information Sheet (Appendix D), and an Informed Consent Form (Appendix E) along with a stamped, addressed envelope. 45 Participants were asked to review the documents in detail and return the signed and dated Informed Consent Form. The women chosen for the Spinning project were from eight communities located in the region from Prince George north to the Yukon border, west to Haida Gwaii and east to the Alberta border. They all said they had basic computer skills and had consistent access to a computer with internet capacity and all agreed to participate in email and WebCT activities a minimum o f 2 to 2.5 hours per week. With the intention o f encouraging women to stay current with project activities and to let them know that lengthy sessions were not required, it was recommended that each take part at least once per day in 15 to 30 minute sessions. Participants ranged in age from 29 to 64 (the participant that withdrew prior to the outset o f the research was aged 23). They come from a wide range o f circumstances and diverse backgrounds which were described to the researcher during the initial screening interview. Some o f the experiences that women brought with them to the project were those related to: coming from First Nations ancestry, becoming older, being lesbian, living onreserve, living homeless, living with chronic health conditions and disability and dealing with issues related to abusive relationships and lone parenting. There were students, retired women, mothers, caregivers and women involved in paid and volunteer work both in the home and outside the home. They were community activists; poverty and disability advocates; and health care, community services and community development workers focused on issues such as violence against women, employment counselling and mental health. Others either expressed an interest in or worked in the area o f addictions, women’s health, lesbian health, alternate healing, women’s cooperatives, and caregiving and seniors issues. 46 Research Procedure The research procedure for this study was planned for a 6 to 8 week time period that was divided into three phases o f data collection. Table I in Chapter Two provides the features o f each o f the components o f the WNN online strategy that were used for data collection. The first phase took place using the Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List. Direct email between the researcher and participants was also utilized. The second phase was a transitional stage moving from using email to using the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space. The third and final phase was intended to take place solely on the WNN WebCT Gathering Space. Activities were coordinated by the researcher; however, this was done with input and feedback from the group through their discussions and their evaluation at the end o f each phase. The researcher periodically summarized and distributed initial findings; inviting clarification and further input. This was done through email communication and by posting messages using features o f the Online Gathering Space. With the exception o f point one below, all the data for this project was collected by electronic means. There were a variety o f formats utilized including: 1. Researcher observations as documented in a daily journal. Both researcher and technical research assistant kept notes about the process as it unfolded. 2. Tracking participant use o f the Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List and any direct email communication between researcher and participants. Interactive Email List messages were stored in the UNBC network archives and on the researcher’s computer. Direct email messages were saved in folders in the researcher’s home computer. 3. Participant use o f various features and tools available in the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space was recorded and stored by the statistical tracking feature in WebCT. A final version o f the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space was saved as a separate WebCT shell (the basic software framework that supports each WebCT space) in order to preserve both textual and statistical information gathered through the project. 47 4. Participant use o f tools including entering events in the calendar, providing information for the women’s profile list, and submitting new topics, information, documents and websites to be added to already existing resources. 5. Responses to the introductory questionnaire, the evaluation at the end o f each phase, and the focused discussion o f five questions based on the five central research questions. 6. Text from group discussions (e.g., via Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List, WNN WebCT Email, Discussion Forum Topics, Spinning: Debriefing Circle, and Live Chat sessions). The textual and statistical data were downloaded and stored in password protected files on the researcher’s computer. The following is a description o f the data collection phases. More details are provided in Chapter Six through the case description o f the Spinning a Northern Web project. Phase 1 During this introductory stage the study participants, all members o f the newly created Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List received the news items and articles posted to the regular WNN Email List. All messages on the regular WNN Email List are vetted by a moderator. Messages sent to the list by WNN members go only to the moderator, who forwards relevant, current and appropriate messages to everyone on the list. The Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List was created using a UNBC Centre for Teaching and Learning Email service. Messages and responses to messages sent to this list went to all research participants with no screening or moderating by the researcher/moderator. Direct email messages were also exchanged between researcher and participants using individual email addresses. Overall Activities for Participants: ■ Check messages on their email a minimum o f once per day 48 ■ Discuss or comment by email on any articles posted by the researcher or other participants ■ Post articles o f interest to the list Week 1 - Activities for Participants: ■ Respond to the Introductory Questionnaire (Appendix F) ■ Introduce themselves to other participants through an email message. ■ Describe in an email message the things that are important for women to be healthy and well in their community. Week 2 - Activities for Participants: ■ Suggest a topic on health and wellness o f particular importance to women in their community ■ Respond to emails sent by other participants ■ Comment on useful ways o f responding to women’s health and wellness issues and report how their communities currently respond to these issues ■ Phase 1 Evaluation. Reflect on the previous two weeks activities and comment on: • • • • One thing that they liked the best One thing they didn’t like One thing that they would like to see done differently Any other comments they wish tomake about the process to date Phase 2 During this transitional stage, participants shifted from using the Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List and direct email to learning to use the WNN Online Gathering Space. The procedure incorporated feedback and suggestions for changes that were made in the previous stage through the women’s observations and discussions and through the evaluation at the end o f Phase 1. The research technical assistant provided each participant with a WebCT username and password that identified them as a Spinner. Brief instructions on how to access the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space were provided through an email 49 message from the researcher. Instructions, with a link to a tutorial on the WNN Website, were included. During this transition period, women were asked as much as possible to provide assistance to one another via the Spinning Interactive Email List or the Spinning: Debriefing Circle - a topic created on the Discussion Forum feature in the Online Gathering Space. Participants were also made aware o f the ongoing help available to them through the project research technical assistant. The researcher continued to send messages with updates and instructions through external email, while at the same time using features in the WebCT space to post this same information. More detail about Phase 2 is provided in Chapter Six through the case description o f the Spinning a Northern Web project. Ongoing Activities - carried forward from the Introductory Phase ■ Utilize the WebCT Discussion Forum to continue dialogue about specific issues raised in Phase 1 Week 3 - Activities for Participants: ■ Once logged in, the researcher posted a WebCT internal email greeting to each woman asking them to send an email to the other Spinners (brief instructions were provided along with a link to the WebCT Email tutorial). ■ By means o f a WebCT email message from the researcher, participants were prompted to post a message to the Spinning: Debriefing Circle discussion topic. The option to post anonymously was offered. ■ Via an email message the study participants were given the option to submit the required information to complete their profile in the Women’s Profile List (a tool on the WebCT Online Gathering Space through which WNN members record information about themselves and their interests). They were asked to find their Spinner identity in the list and, to ensure anonymity, had the option to provide as much or little information as they wished. ■ Participants were asked to explore the Online Gathering Space and to post questions, comments and concerns to the Spinner Debriefing Circle forum. 50 Week 4 It was intended that at this stage, the women would be asked to confine their interactions to the WebCT space only. However, in order to be responsive to participants progress, messages about the activities continued to be sent by external email, by the WebCT email, and were posted on the WebCT Discussion Forum and on a list o f research activities on the Spinning a Northern Web WebCT page. All news items and articles normally posted as email messages were posted to the WebCT Online Gathering Space in various forms (i.e., discussion postings, links to documents and websites, direct email messages, community events calendar). Activities for Participants: ■ Continue activities from the previous week (i.e., posting to topics in discussion forum, and directing questions, comments, concerns to the Spinning: Debriefing Circle) ■ Post an event to the community events calendar ■ Submit an electronic document, website address or suggestion for addition to the Women’s Health & Wellness Resources list on the Online Gathering Space home page ■ The Phase 2 evaluation was sent by direct email to participants and was also available using the quiz^ feature on the WebCT Online Gathering Space. Spinners were asked to reflect on the activities o f transitioning from the external email list to WebCT and comment on: • • • • 3 One thing that they liked the best about moving to WebCT One thing they didn’t like about moving to WebCT One thing that they would like to see done differently Any other comments they wish to make about the process to date The quiz tool in WebCT was one o f the ways that the Phase 2 evaluation was made available to participants. It was utilized as a way to offer the participants the opportunity to try out a feature o f the WebCT that they had not previously had the opportunity to use. In a similar fashion, the survey tool in WebCT was utilized for the Phase 3 evaluation as a means for women to experience its use. 51 Phase 3 During this final stage, participants learned more about using the tools provided within the WNN Online Gathering Space and also continued activities from the previous phase. They were asked to plan a strategy to address an issue arising out o f their discussions thus far, using this space to harness their collective energy and to begin discussing the five central research questions. Week 5 - Activities for Participants: ■ Continue activities from previous weeks (i.e., discussion o f topics, submission of resources, messages to Debriefing Circle) ■ Submit ideas for taking action on one o f the issues discussed over the past few weeks to a new discussion forum topic. Spinners Taking Action. This forum topic would be focused on something the group could do together - using the WNN Online Gathering Space - to take action (e.g., collective letters to local, provincial and federal levels o f government - templates o f letters to be downloaded, etc.) Week 6 - Activities for Participants: ■ Organize a real time discussion using the WebCT Live Chat feature ■ Continue planning the action strategy ■ Begin a focused discussion on the Spinners Research Questions to Explore topic in the WebCT Discussion Forum, responding to the five central questions o f the study (Appendix G) that also reflected information and issues raised by participants throughout the project ■ The Phase 3 evaluation was sent by direct email and WebCT email to participants and was also available using the survey feature on the WebCT Online Gathering Space. Spinners were asked to reflect on the activities and comment on: • • • • One thing that they liked the best about participating in this project completely online One thing they didn’t like about it One thing that they would like to see done differently Any other comments they wish to make about the process to date 52 Week 7 & 8 In recognition o f the often busy lives o f women and their multiple roles and responsibilities, week 7 and 8 were included in the design o f this project in order to allow women extra time to complete the activities and discussions, if required. There were no extra activities assigned for these weeks. Data Analysis Within an overall structural social work, women-centred, health promotion framework, a thematic analysis method was chosen. This method provides a means to gain a multifaceted understanding o f the values and perceptions that underscore the lived experience o f individuals (Luborsky, 1993). It is a way to organize and understand the essence of qualitative data by identifying similarities in meaning that can then be categorized into themes and patterns (Patton, 2002). Discovering and organizing the essence o f what is said by study participants into themes and patterns brings a “structure and coherence, a sense o f order” (Luborsky, 1993, p. 191) during the analysis process. Furthermore, it assists in recognizing important common characteristics within and between categories, themes and patterns. Engaging in thematic analysis requires that the researcher repeatedly read and review the data in detail, thus “living with” (Kirby & McKenna, 1989, p. 150) the data and becoming immersed in the experience o f participants. This is a way o f ensuring that the interpretations reflect the context and significance o f participants’ words and that the analysis is consistent with the way that they perceive their experiences (Luborsky, 1993). Thematic analysis is a practical method to utilize when dealing with a large amount o f textual data that comes from a number o f sources (Dudley, 2005). This is particularly useful in this study because the procedure supports data collection in a variety o f ways. Participant 53 use o f the various tools for communication, discussion, sharing information and planning for action provides the information for describing the WNN as a process for addressing and organizing around women’s health concerns. The experiences o f the women are explored by drawing on participants’ own words and perceptions to describe their understanding o f and familiarity with the WNN online components. The process o f the analysis is guided by the social determinants o f health and their interrelated dynamics (Wilkinson, 1999) offering a context for considering the structural issues related to health and to women’s ways o f responding to those issues. The analysis further draws on features o f women-centred health and health promotion. Additionally, the linkages between health promotion and social work principles contribute to the foundation for analysis. Finally, implications for health and social policy in northern, rural and remote communities, together with the significance o f progressive, structural, anti-oppressive social work theory, policy and practice are considered. A coding technique was developed to categorize the content o f the data across participants and across data sources. Coding is the procedure for structuring the data into manageable segments by condensing it, while at the same time retaining its central meaning and context (Monette et al., 2005; Neuman, 2003). An open coding method involves grouping the content o f the data into categories as various themes and patterns emerge. This is accomplished by watching for how things fit together in a significant way and noticing frequent similarities (Patton, 2002). As relationships within and between coded categories, themes and concepts become apparent, core concepts emerge. These core concepts provide a basis for describing the WNN as a way for women to address health and wellness and their experiences while using the WNN online strategies. 54 In the spirit o f remaining true to the process o f this study and its focus on electronic and online innovation, it is critical that ICT is involved in all aspects o f the research including the analysis process. Use o f NVivo Qualitative Software or other computer-assisted qualitative data analysis tools to facilitate the coding and analysis process was considered. However, as an alternative, features within computer word processing software were utilized. Familiarity and experience with word processing supported me to develop a customized method for assisting in analyzing the data. Coding into categories and themes was accomplished by using a word processor to tag and retrieve the text o f meaning units (Ryan, 2004). A process for labelling and retrieving textual data was developed by drawing on information found in Ryan (2004) and with assistance from Lynda Williams at the UNBC Centre for Teaching and Learning. The text attributes o f bold, italics, underline, shading, strikethrough and the colour red were used to code the data. The Find option on the word processor was utilized to search for and highlight all text o f a particular attribute. The text was then copied and pasted to a new document. This process was used iteratively to first code data into broad categories and then to code the resulting cluster o f data in each category into themes. Features o f themes were then further coded using this same method. It is important to note that the use o f technology cannot replace the analytic value of the human contribution o f the researcher (Patton, 2002). The process that was developed allows for a great degree o f researcher contribution to the analysis and coding o f the data because it was created specifically for this project and explicitly tailored to my understanding o f and skills in using the word processing software. 55 In Search o f Rigour in Qualitative Research There is much debate in the literature regarding issues o f rigour in qualitative research (Caelli et al., 2003; Davies & Dodd, 2002; Koch & Harrington, 1998; Morse, Barrett, Mayan, Olson, & Spiers, 2002; Sandelowski, 1986). In recognition that the “debate surrounding the methodological rigor o f qualitative research is confounded by its diversity and by lack o f consensus about the rules to which it ought to conform” (Sandelowski, 1986, p. 29), 1 will draw on some o f the key points from the literature that supported rigour within this research study rather than itemizing and discussing these debates in detail. There is a plethora o f terms and concepts related to rigour in qualitative research; too many to describe and define within the limits o f this discussion. One o f the key concepts in valid, credible research, that relates back to the discussion o f my standpoint, is the notion that the “research is only as good as the investigator” (Morse et al., 2002, p. 10). Building on the earlier discussion o f my stance as a learner with a mindful approach and the exploration of my analytic lens, it was o f critical importance to draw on my strengths o f flexibility, creativity, attentiveness, empathy, respect and so on, to guide my attention to matters o f rigorous research (Davies & Dodd, 2002; Morse et al., 2002). Additionally, the features o f the methodologies chosen for the study are congruent with my values and with my understanding o f what is important to the women in this study, thus providing further credibility (Caelli et al., 2003). Upon this foundation o f attention to rigour throughout the research process and through the methods proposed, other concrete strategies are also important. Triangulation is a process o f ensuring validity in qualitative research through the use o f multiple sources o f data and multiple methods for collecting and analyzing data (Merriam, 56 1998; Patton, 2002). The triangulation process provides a range o f perspectives for viewing the case being explored. In this study, sources o f data include an introductory questionnaire, evaluations at the end o f each phase, focused discussions, participant feedback, researcher observations and numerical measures o f the rates o f participation. The multi-methods approach utilizing qualitative case study and collaborative, action approaches along with quantitative descriptive statistical methods, further enhance validity. A rigorous approach to collecting and analyzing the data necessitates congruence with the commitment to a collaborative process and honouring women’s voices (Caelli et al., 2003). In this study, periodically returning preliminary findings to participants, inviting feedback and comments allows them to impact subsequent activities and procedures. Through verifying with the women that the research process and preliminary findings are meaningful, the researcher is able to “identify when to continue, stop or modify the research process in order to achieve reliability and validity and ensure rigor” (p. 10). According to Davies and Dodd (2002), in order to maintain rigorous standards in qualitative research, ethics and ethical issues must be interwoven throughout the process rather than considered as separate issues. The purpose o f the exploration o f my standpoint as researcher and efforts to make the research process transparent and accountable is indicative o f this principle. However, there are issues and concerns that must also be addressed to underscore ethical research practice in this study. Ethical Considerations The principles upon which this research study rests are in keeping with the current British Columbia Association o f Social Work Code o f Ethics (British Columbia Association o f Social Workers, n.d.) which broadly provides guidelines for ethical social work practice. 57 This study also adheres to principles described in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct fo r Research Involving Humans (Medical Research Council o f Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council o f Canada & Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council o f Canada, 2003). Moreover, the fundamental ethical practices that underpin my research draw on my attention and commitment to women-centred, antioppressive principles. Ethical approval for this research was obtained from the UNBC Ethics Review Committee. Research participants received an Information Sheet (Appendix D) that provided an overview o f the nature and scope o f the project and were asked to sign an Informed Consent Form agreeing to participate (Appendix E). Important ethical issues to consider when engaging in online activities proposed for this study include privacy, confidentiality and informed consent (Mann & Stewart, 2000; Sharf, 1999). Privacy and confidentiality are addressed by providing research participants with the opportunity to reply or post messages anonymously to the Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email Eist, as well as to send private communications to the researcher through direct email. Furthermore, each participant received a generic user identification within the WNN Online Gathering Space. The option to post anonymously to discussion forums was available and clearly explained through an email message and a tutorial. Participants had the option to provide whatever information they wished when interacting on the email list and the Online Gathering Space. Specific issues related to participating in this online research were clearly defined within the Informed Consent Form and Information Sheet. Data that was downloaded to the researcher’s computer was password protected and any printed hard copies were kept in a locked file cabinet in the researcher’s office. 58 Chapter Six The Case: Spinning a Northern Web One o f the important aspects o f a case study is to bound or define its boundaries in time and space (Grbich, 1999; Merriam, 2000; Miles & Huberman, 1994; Stake, 2000). The case: Spinning a Northern Web was conducted from October 4 to November 29, 2004. It was enclosed within the WNN internet based online components (see Table 1): the Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List, the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space and the WNN Website. Direct email between researchers and participants was also utilized. The proposed procedure was described in detail in Chapter Five; this case description describes the day to day happenings as the procedure was implemented. The data collection for the Spinning a Northern Web project was conducted over the full 8 week time period and was divided into 3 specific phases. Phase 1 took place using direct email between researcher and participants and the Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List. Phase 2 was a transitional stage moving from primarily using email to the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space. The third and final Phase was intended to take place solely on the Online Gathering Space; however, email messages continued to be a valued resource for communication so were also utilized during this time. In preparation for the project, a link to information about the Spinning a Northern Web project was created on the WNN Website to ensure easy, convenient access for participants to locate information. The information included the purpose and goals along with a link to tutorials that guided the process o f learning to log on and to navigate the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space. Links to new information and resources were added to the website as the project evolved. 59 The following is a detailed description o f the process as it unfolded through each o f the three phases: Phase 1 The project began on Monday, October 4, 2004. Two messages were sent by the researcher directly to each participant. The first welcomed them to the project, providing an overview o f the planned activities and informing the women that they would receive a number o f direct email messages from the researcher to afford confidentiality in responding to an introductory questionnaire and the evaluations. They were also advised that the Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List would be used for communication amongst the entire group. The second direct message contained the first activity; an Introductory Questionnaire (Appendix F). Responses to this questionnaire provided information about how participants currently use the internet and were viewed only by the researcher. The following day, participants received a welcome message providing details about the Spinning Interactive Email List. Participants were encouraged to check their email at least once per day. They were also invited to comment on news items and to post any news they wished to share. The second activity gave directions for participants to use the Spinning Interactive Email List to send a message introducing themselves to the rest o f the group. They were asked to identify themselves in the subject line either with an alias or by using their first name. They could also include their age, time living in the North, information about their community and background on themselves. The third activity during the first week followed a similar procedure and asked the Spinners to comment on the things that they felt were important for women to be healthy and well in their community in particular and in northern. 60 rural and remote communities in general. Participants were also encouraged to reply to and comment on issues as they appeared in the conversations. The information assembled from the discussions and activities during the first week provided a context for the activities in the following week. The first activity during the second week was for women to identify specific issues that were o f concern for them; topics that would form the basis for discussion over the remainder o f the project. In order to gain input and feedback from participants, the researcher compiled a list o f issues that had been raised thus far in the project. This summary was sent to the women along with a request for them to review the list and to specify any o f those or other issues that were o f particular importance to them or to women in their community. During these discussions, Spinners also began to specify some o f the strategies used in their communities to address issues. An update was circulated to provide a context for the second activity in week two. The message contained a general overview o f the strategies for addressing issues and the concerns that the women had identified to date. The Spinners were then asked to send a message describing the specific health and community services and programs or initiatives that have a positive impact on women's lives in their community. They were advised that they could also include some o f the unique qualities o f their communities that support women’s health and wellness. The final activity for Phase 1 was to complete the evaluation that was sent out by direct email to each individual participant. All participants were engaged in some o f the activities during the first phase. They appreciated hearing more about one another and raised many issues that were o f concern for them and other women in their communities. At times, they referred to information or resources that were accessible through the internet such as an FASD support group and the 61 PovNet website. Whenever possible, these were added to the Spinning a Northern Web page on the WNN publicly accessible website. There were some minor technical problems with sending and receiving messages and these were quickly resolved with support from the researcher and her research technical assistant. Overall, participants were pleased with the process to date, however there was some consternation over the number o f email messages being received. There was also confusion about which messages were original messages and which were replies to messages as well as uncertainty about who was sending and replying to the messages. Attempts were made to address these issues during the transitional Phase 2. One o f the participants began having difficulty with her access to a computer and the internet. The researcher kept in touch with her because she had expressed an interest in continuing if her access was restored. However, she did not participate in any o f the activities after she had completed the introductory questionnaire, leaving 11 women involved in the final two phases o f the project. Phase 2 In preparation for the women to begin using the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space as a means to communicate and find and share information and resources, a Spinning a Northern Web page was created. This organizer page is similar in function to a homepage and is accessed through a link on the main WNN WebCT Welcome homepage (Appendix A). It was specifically designed for this research project and provided convenient links to resources, features and tools. The Spinning page contained links to the tutorials, the Spinning: Debriefing Circle and the Spinner’s To Do List o f Research Activities content page - a page created in WebCT that supports a Table o f Contents itemizing links to other 62 pages and documents. It also provided a link to the Spinners Favourite Links and Documents content page. The items on the Spinning organizer page continued to develop as the project progressed. The UNBC Centre for Teaching and Learning provided a copy o f a general WebCT How To Library that was accessible to participants on the Spinning a Northern Web organizer page. This was intended to be a supplement to the tutorials. The first message sent to the Spinners at the beginning o f Phase 2 provided them with a summary o f and response to the feedback and recommendations made through the email discussions and the evaluation at the end o f Phase 1. Some suggestions made to improve the interactive email process were highlighted such as identifying topics, sender and date sent in the subject lines o f original messages and replies. Participants were also reminded that they were not required to read and reply to all messages but rather to follow along with topics that were o f interest to them. They were also assured that messages from the researcher would be clearly identified and dated. In order to encourage participants to shift discussions that had begun on the interactive email list over to the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space, all messages during the first two weeks pertaining to specific heath and wellness issues were compiled by the researcher. The compiled messages were then posted to the Discussion Forum in the WebCT space. A Discussion Topic item for each issue was created with a title beginning with ‘Spinning’ so it would be easily identified. These topics were ‘locked’ so that only those involved in the Spinning a Northern Web study could participate. The option to post anonymously was provided. The first message for each topic was from the researcher and contained the compiled messages from email discussions to date. New Spinning topics were created as new subjects emerged or as requested by participants. 63 Each participant received a Spinner username and password by direct email from the researcher. The message also contained detailed instructions for finding and logging on to the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space. A link to the tutorial was available on the publicly accessible WNN Website. Continued use o f the interactive email list was encouraged. The women were advised to post messages to the Spinning: Debriefing Circle Discussion Forum topic to ask questions and share their experiences o f learning how to use the WebCT Online Gathering Space. They were asked to support one another by making suggestions or responding to queries as they arose. They were also asked to comment on and make recommendations to improve or further develop the tutorials. The first activity in the transitional phase was to log on to the WebCT Online Gathering Space and to send a message to all Spinners using the internal WebCT email system. A tutorial detailing the functions o f the WebCT email was made available to them. A message from the researcher was sent through WebCT email to each woman welcoming her. Participants were encouraged to explore the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space and begin using it as the primary means for communication and completion o f activities. As each participant logged on and sent an email using WebCT internal email, they received a message back from the researcher asking them to go to the Discussion Forum and post a message to the Spinning: Debriefing Circle topic. Instructions on how to find and retrieve the tutorial detailing the functions o f the Discussion Forum tool were included. A third optional activity involved the women submitting information to complete their Spinner profile on the WNN list o f member’s profiles on the WebCT Online Gathering Space. Willing participants were asked send a WebCT email message to the research technical 64 assistant with demographic and background information about themselves that they were prepared to share with others under the following headings: ■ Organization or Affiliation ■ Role ■ Interests and Skills Offered ■ Personal Interests and Skills ■ My Story ■ Education ■ ComputerSkills ■ Interests or Concerns The research technical assistant entered their information on the profile list. Throughout this phase, the researcher continued to send out the instructions for activities to the Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List. This was intended to remind and encourage participants to log on to the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space and to join in on activities. The women were also notified that the content o f their email messages relevant to specific topics had been relocated to the Discussion Forum area o f the WebCT Online Gathering Space. They were encouraged to continue posting messages using that format whenever it was convenient to do so. As participants began to log on and use the WebCT space, the researcher shifted to providing details about activities in multiple ways through WebCT internal email. Discussion Forum and the Spinner’s To Do List content page. At the end o f the first week o f the transition phase, it became apparent that some women would need more time to learn how to use the features available on the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space and to participate in the activities. The researcher, in consultation with her thesis supervisor, added a third week to Phase 2 to accommodate the women’s busy lives and schedules and to ensure that they had the opportunity to contribute to the process in ways that were convenient to them. Over the next two weeks, four other activities were offered for participants to consider. They were asked to explore the Women’s Health & Wellness Resources A - Z list 65 by clicking on the appropriate icon (a small picture or symbol that points to another page, feature or document) on the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space home page (Appendix A). In order to suggest new topics or to provide up-to-date links to websites and to share other fitting resources, Spinners were asked to post messages to the Spinning: Websites and Other Resources topic in the Discussion Forum. They were encouraged to use the tutorial to help them to add attachments to their messages. Instructions on how to include links to websites were provided. The women were also invited to explore the Community Events Calendar by clicking on the appropriate icon and to use the tutorial to guide them in adding events from their own communities. The option to take on the role o f designer was offered to participants who felt they would like to try something new. In the role o f designer, they would have the capacity to add to, edit or create content on the Women North Network Online Gathering Space as well as customize its look (e.g., changing colours or adding new icons). They were advised that in future there will be a number o f WNN Designing Women (a title created by WNN network members) across Northern BC who will continue to build and develop the Online Gathering Space. By exploring this role, participants would be in an excellent position to provide feedback on what would be helpful to support women who may want to take on this role in the future. Any women interested in this option were asked to post a message to the Debriefing Circle discussion topic. They would then be provided with a designer username and password and would be mentored through the process o f learning new skills and taking on an active role in creating and recreating the WNN online space. A technical problem with a participant’s access to WebCT arose when giving her a new username and password in order to try out her new role as a designer. A UNBC 66 technician was willing and available to assist in solving this problem. An action was taken that resulted in the temporary loss o f some information tracked through WebCT. The bulk o f the data was recovered; however, a small part o f the statistical data was lost. This did not result in any changes to the content and visual presentation o f the Online Gathering Space or to messages posted to the internal email and discussions. On October 29, the Phase 2 evaluation was made available through a Quiz tool in WebCT. A Spinning Evaluation icon was created on the Spinning a Northern Web organizer page. Once a participant clicked on the evaluation ‘quiz’, detailed instructions were provided. For a time, the evaluation was only available in this manner. Participants were later notified that it was available in a number o f other ways (external email, WebCT email, and in the WebCT Discussion Forum). During the following week, the evaluation was also sent to each participant through direct email. The researcher alone was able to view responses to evaluations. Organizing a real-time chat session using the Live Chat feature in WebCT was scheduled as activity for Phase 3. However, a participant spontaneously organized several chat sessions during the final week o f Phase 2. Throughout Phase 2, the researcher continued to communicate with participants by direct email and replied directly in a timely manner to questions and concerns. One-on-one phone assistance was offered. Messages went to all participants in a variety o f ways both by email and through the WebCT features. The participant that had developed technical difficulties early on in the project did not participate or respond to messages during Phase 2. Another participant reported that critical personal issues were interfering with her ability to participate. She indicated that she would continue to contribute to the project when possible. The researcher made efforts to ensure 67 that she was kept up-to-date. As Phase 3 began, one o f the participants withdrew from the project. She reported that she felt overwhelmed by email messages and was having difficulty logging on and using the features offered through the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space. For a variety o f reasons, this participant was not available to access one-on-one phone support. Ten participants remained. Phase 3 In response to feedback about issues that arose for participants during the transitional stage (gleaned from ongoing email and WebCT discussions and the evaluation at the end of Phase 2), the following message was posted prominently in large text under “Welcome Spinners” on the WNN WebCT organizer page (Appendix A): This is the Women North Network Online Gathering Space. Please click on ‘Spinning a Northern Web’ below to find out more information and resources. You will find links to Discussion Forum Topics, Research Activities, Tutorials and ‘Flow To’s’ It had become evident that there was some confusion about the difference between the publicly accessible WNN Website and the password protected WebCT Online Gathering Space. The researcher sent out a message through email and through the WNN Online Gathering Space to explain the difference between the two. Each message included a clickable link directly to the website and a clickable link directly to the log on page for WebCT to help to clarify the difference. A Phase 3 introductory message provided a context for the planned activities in the final stage. It included a summary o f community issues, services and service gaps that the participants had identified and discussed to date. The message underscored the project goal to explore how women might use the internet to help bring about positive change in their communities and in northern BC. It detailed one o f the primary activities for this final phase 68 which was to explore how the Spinners might use the Women North Network electronic strategies to take action to raise awareness o f an issue and to voice concern and protest about a specific issue or issues. A Spinning; Taking Action discussion forum topic was created and participants were invited to post messages with their ideas and to comment or build on suggestions made by others. Several initiatives for action were brought up and debated. Discussions through email, the discussion forum and during live chat sessions were animated and detailed. The Spinners involved in these discussions decided to concentrate their planning on one particular idea. This action strategy focused on sending ‘heartfelt’ messages from the ‘heartland’ (a term coined by the BC Liberal government for the rural and northern regions o f the province) to those in power. The idea arose out o f concern that the government was not hearing the voices and concerns o f its non-urban citizens and, as a result, was not meeting their needs. Some ideas for initiating and implementing the strategy in various communities were explored. A draft version o f a one page informational flyer was generated and shared with all participants for feedback and revisions. This was done using the various options provided by the WebCT space. Planning for this continued until the project ended and has continued on since then. At the end o f the first week o f Phase 3, the researcher sent a message asking for input and feedback from participants. Although the intention during this phase was to limit communication to the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space, in response to Spinner requests, the researcher continued to send messages containing reminders and details about activities through direct email that was external to WebCT. Updates were also provided to two participants who were experiencing barriers to their ongoing involvement in the project. 69 The second major activity for Phase 3 was for the participants to create a dialogue about or respond to the five central questions asked through this research project. A discussion forum topic was created for this purpose. The five basic questions as stated in the proposal were amended to reflect the women’s experiences and presented to participants within a context o f the project as it had unfolded (Appendix G). The questions were also provided to participants through direct email outside o f WebCT, email within WebCT and on the Spinners Research Activities To Do List. The last activity for the final stage and for the project was to complete the Phase 3 evaluation. It was made available during the final week using the survey tool provided through WebCT. Participants could complete this evaluation by clicking on the Spinning Evaluation icon on the Spinning a Northern Web organizer page. Once a participant clicked on the evaluation, detailed instructions through the WebCT survey feature guided them. The evaluation was also made available through direct email outside of WebCT, through WebCT email and on the Spinners Research Activities To Do List. Responses to this evaluation were not available for viewing by anyone other than the researcher. Phase 3 was extended by one week in order for participants to have the opportunity to complete all o f the activities. Upon completion, the researcher sent a message to each individual participant, thanking them for their participation. 70 Chapter Seven Results o f Data Analysis This project generated an enormous amount o f rich textual data about the experiences o f women using ICT (through the Women North Network) to focus on health and wellness issues in northern, rural and remote communities in BC. The WNN supports collaboration and coordination among women in these communities. In addition, it provides an electronic, online means for women to disseminate health and wellness information, share resources and strategies, and take action to influence health and social policy and service delivery. For the purposes o f this thesis report, the data analyzed is related to the women’s process o f learning about and taking part in the WNN online electronic strategy. The data was drawn from email messages and the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space activities and discussions. The voice o f women, expressed through this project, provides an understanding o f what is practical, meaningful and supportive for women using ICT and the WNN electronic strategy. The wealth o f data about women’s health and wellness will provide a descriptive context for the analysis and discussion but will not be reported in detail at this time. Statistical information related to women’s participation on the electronic components o f email and the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space will provide further descriptive context for the project. Preliminary data analysis was undertaken on an ongoing basis during each o f 3 phases o f data collection. Exploring general themes ensured that the process o f the subsequent phase was consistent with the women’s experience and perceptions. The intention was to make certain that activities within each phase were responsive to what the women were saying about their current experience. This initial analysis was shared with participants 71 through an email message as a way to involve them in reflecting on the process o f the previous phase and generating ideas to be explored in subsequent phases. Suggestions from the women provided specifics about how the process could shift to meet their needs and to assist them in participating in a more meaningful way. The sources o f the qualitative electronic data during each phase are summarized in Table 2 below. Postings were downloaded daily by the researcher and saved to password protected files and folders. Table 2 Sources o f Qualitative Data P hase 1 • • • • Introductory questionnaire Interactive email discussions Direct email messages Phase 1 evaluation P hase 2 • • • • • Interactive email discussions Direct email messages WebCT Discussion Forum postings WebCT internal email messages Phase 2 evaluation P hase 3 • • • • • • • Direct email messages WebCT Discussion Forum postings WebCT internal email messages Live Chat Discussions Action planning discussions Responses to five central research questions Phase 3 Evaluation Once the data collection phases were completed, the researcher meticulously retrieved and organized the wealth o f textual data from the Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email dialogue, from direct email messages and from the WebCT Online Gathering Space. This included the messages from internal email, discussion forum postings and text dialogue from chat sessions. Evaluation responses were also retrieved from direct email messages and from the WebCT quiz and survey ‘tools’. A password protected archival copy o f the Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email List messages was preserved on the 72 network at UNBC. Messages had been downloaded and reviewed for initial analysis at the end o f each day while it was in use. Direct messages sent to and received from participants through the researcher’s email were saved to weekly files in email and were also copied and pasted as text to documents on the researcher’s computer. Twice during the research process, the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Spaee was preserved by creating baekup copies at a critical point during the project and again at the end o f the project. These backup copies are accessible only to the researcher. All relevant text from these backup copies was downloaded to or copied and pasted to documents on the researcher’s word processor. Qualitative Thematic Analysis An abundance o f textual data was reviewed in detail to determine the significant and meaningful content. An iterative process o f classifying and organizing the data with similar features into concepts, themes and categories was undertaken. Contemplation o f the five major questions posed by this study guided the process o f understanding how the collective information from participants ‘speaks to ’ the women’s experiences and the process o f the WNN online strategies addressing women’s health issues (Creswell, 1998; Monette et al., 2005; Patton, 2002). Upon organizing and reviewing the qualitative data, it was found that four broad categories correspond with the topics suggested by the five questions that were explored through the research. A further category describes themes related to health and wellness as a motivating factor for women to participate in the WNN. Table 3 provides an overview o f the all categories and related themes identified. 73 Table 3 Categories and Themes Category 1 : Supports Category 2: Gains Valued feelings Supportive relationships ■ Valued topics Lack o f time ■ Valued resources ■ Women are a source o f information and resources EMAIL Realities o f w om en’s lives Text communication Sense o f community M ore time Coordinator Up-to-date technology Technical support and training Aids to “navigating” Category 3: Barriers Lack o f others participating ■ Uncomplicated W EBCT ONLINE SPACE ■ Interactive Lack o f technical skills Technical issues Challenges with email ■ Visually welcoming ■ Convenient and accessible Challenges with O nline Gathering Space Category 4: Supports Action Category 5: Health Focus M otivating Means o f networking Desire to involve other women Creation o f a common vision Organizing for change Connecting supports w om en’s health Health promotion foeus Information critical to health Focus for action Category 1: What Supports Participation in the WNN Category 2: What Women Gain From and Find Worthwhile about the WNN Online Strategy Category 3: Barriers that Prevent Participation in the WNN Category 4: The WNN Supports Political and Social Action Category 5: A Focus on Flealth and Wellness Motivates Participation in the WNN__________________________________ The following is a detailed description o f the findings: Category 1: What Supports Participation in the Women North Network This category includes intangible things that support women in participating in the WNN as well as some practical specific supports that women have identified. The themes and descriptions are as follows: Valued Feelings The women described a range o f feelings during their experience o f participating as ‘Spinners’ on the Women North Network. Many conveyed a sense o f accomplishment as they learned the intricacies o f connecting and communicating through email and through the WehCT Online Gathering Space. One woman described her experience in this way: “how 74 incredible given my limited skills, (smile) Another woman commented that the WebCT space is “beautiful and I look forw ard to exploring it more Motivation to participate was sustained as Spinners experienced anticipation “to try something new They were “excited” and “inspired” as ih ty “got to know everyone”, “look[ed] forw ard to ‘m eeting’ more women ” and “to logging on and reading other participants ' thoughts Appreciating a sense o f control, a woman commented that “le a n participate as much as Hike, without pressure to do more ” and another is grateful that “1 can log on when I like and it doesn ’t matter i f my p j ’s are still on or my hair is not done The Spinners said that their lives are enriched through their interactions with other women in the project: The reason I have enjoyed being a member, is the acceptance and understanding that women can give and share. A sense of trust and closeness gained through participation evolved and relationships began to develop. Supportive Relationships Through their discussions o f the broad health and social issues affecting women in their communities and the kinds o f services available to and valued by women, the group began to learn about each other and their communities. That they valued and respected the diversity o f backgrounds and experiences became apparent through their shared stories. One woman expressed her growing sense o f connection as follows: I liked connecting with other women living in rural communities in the Northern Region. I especially liked the diversity o f age, ethnicity, economic status, sexual orientation and ability that was in the group and the openness (sic) in expressing the realities o f our differences. The Spinner’s own words will be italicized to ensure that they are clearly distinguishable from the overall discussion. 75 Another said: “/ loved reading about the other women, what a mix A growing sense o f respect for one another provided a context for building relationships and sharing stories. Sharing stories and experiences created a foundation for trust, empathy, and understanding as relationships were built on supporting and interacting and connecting with one another. Comments that described this were: I really enjoyed hearing what women are doing in other regions in the north and being able to ‘talk ’ to them about what I am doing. This seems like an interesting and diverse group. Some are so involved in their community, and carry pretty heavy loads. No one complains. In seeing that other women shared many o f her experiences, one participant stated that she has “not been quite so hard on m yself fo r not doing all the extras”. It seems that the WNN provides a unique way for women to make personal connections that are conducive for sharing stories and experiences. Sense o f Community As relationships began to develop, a sense o f community emerged through shared interests, concerns and northern values. A Spinner expressed this by saying: la m interested in building a northern culture that values local economies, environmentalism, art and music that reflect our uniqueness, women's health and human ecology. I think this network could work to support those values. Recognition o f common interests, concerns and values within this diverse group o f women was highly regarded and promoted a desire to interact, exchange ideas and to learn from one another. The following comments illustrate this in the women’s words: .. . finding that my issues are others issues as well [and] relating to others experiences the variety o f women that are involved in the project and the wealth o f experience that we all bring. Challenging and exciting! 76 Hearing what is happening fo r other women in other communities offers a great feeling o f connecting with the larger community This sense o f community supported women in participating in a number o f ways. Participants said that they felt less isolated as they connected with other women living in similar circumstances. In one o f the women’s own words: What I have enjoyed the most is simply "meeting" other women who are fa cin g the same challenges o f living in our remote communities. Simply knowing that I am not alone out here is a support on its own. Another woman expressed this growing sense o f community in this way: we are a family, in a way. This sense o f community was also expressed through appreciation and regard for one another. Comments included: It is a comfort as well, to know that I am not the only person who struggles with time, not enough o f it! . . . . la m more at ease with the amount o f tasks that take up my daily life. My heart goes out to the obstacles you fa ce but my admiration goes out to your strength and courage. More Time The women remarked that if they had more time in their lives they would be able to participate in the network and to be a part o f the growing sense o f community in a more meaningful way: Time, as most o f the other women have mentioned, prevents me from being as involved as I would like. This will be explored in more detail as a barrier to participation; however it is also important to explore time as a support for participation because as one woman put it, “the biggest support would be more TIME o f course! ” Time allows for more opportunities to learn the details o f the network such as reading and responding to messages, “I want to fin d time to 77 write about my experiences” and to explore the website and the WebCT Online Gathering Space. Coordinator Participants commented on some things that a support person could do that would be helpful to them. Some o f these comments were in response to direction and assistance provided by the researcher and research technical assistant; for example: There were times when I was stuck/confused and the timeliness o f your responses kept my enthusiasm going! It was particularly encouraging to have you and [the research assistant] available fo r consultations as well. Other comments described the coordinator as flexible and able to promote a sense o f freedom to participate with no pressure: / do appreciate that I am not feeling pressured about logging on and browsing and posting in my own time and at the times that work fo r me and my busy life. A coordinator/facilitator must be highly available for consultation in multiple ways because “some personal (messenger, phone) support may be necessary fo r some to learn ”. A coordinator would also act as a moderator for email discussions, chat sessions and discussion forums in WebCT. She would: [be]someone to question and be sure we are clear and that everyone is ok/or not with what is being said keep the balance and be sure there is adequate clarification. The coordinator would also provide support to participate by providing concise, clear, explicit directions in how to use tools and features and would remind women to join in by regularly sending out updates and recaps by email because women “need a reminder to check it [WebCT] out once or twice a d a y’’. 78 The participants suggested that there needs to be someone to lead the coordination and direction for planning action strategies and events: we would need someone to give us the directions on what kind o f document we could produce with the pictures and text - sort o f like a newsletter I guess. Although women are interested in being involved in events, they felt unable to take on a leadership role: / cannot commit to being a main organizer but I would definitely bring the idea to our local [organizations] i f the idea catches. Can either o f you suggest anyone that would like to spearhead this idea and get it out to more people? I would be happy to help you . . . to come up with a ‘one p a g er’ on the message - and maybe you too . . . as it is your idea and vision. I f you get it sta rted . . . I would be happy to add to it - and have us all input into it - we could all mobilize our various circles. Up-to-date Technology Women’s use o f the WNN and internet is supported by access to up to date ‘hardware’ such as new computers at home and at work, access to high speed internet and up-to-date ‘software’ such as internet browsers and word processors: my modem [is] not working at home so having to do my emailing, web surfing at work on my lunch hours or after work which severely limits the time available fo r such activities. I only have dial-up at home anyways as H ive outside the cable limits and can't afford the $550 antennae fo r wireless (although I am going to start saving fo r it after Christmas - along with a whole new computer system). Although this will be described and discussed in more detail under barriers, it is important to include women’s recognition o f and desire for technological innovations that would support their participation on the WNN. Technical Support and Training Women report that they must have access to training on computer skills in ways that work for them. They mentioned that face-to-face and one-on-one training would be most 79 useful. Some women felt that clear "tutorials and the instruction - were helpful”. As one woman said: I liked explicit instructions best - 1 would print them out and have them beside me at the computer. I w ouldfollow them step by step. Some women noted that they were able to “learn and teach m yself through simple trial and error”. Other women commented on the value o f having some experience with information and communication technology: having some experience in this type o f space helped. H ove WebCT. I will also note that I have experience using it and also other form s o f this type o f delivery. I am also very computer literate. I can understandfor people who are not experienced and who are not as computer literate why they may be intimidated by the concept. Aids to “Navigating” Although the features o f the email list, website and WebCT Online Gathering Space will be described and discussed in detail under a subsequent category, it is important to note that the women generally described features o f the Women North Network as “well laid out ”, “easier to access ”, “u sefu l. . . fo r networking ”, and said that they “love the look o f the website ”. Category 2: What Women Gain From and Find Worthwhile About the WNN Online Strategy The members o f the project identified some tangible information and resources that were o f value to them and some particular features o f the Interactive Email List and the WebCT Online Gathering Space that made them worthwhile. The following themes describe those resources and features: 80 Valued Topics The Spinners raised a number o f issues that were o f interest to them about women’s health and wellness. Topics included: Homecare Social Issues Poverty Breast Cancer FASD Mental Health Breast Cancer Education Housing Issues Parenting In The North Birthing & Breastfeeding Issues Related To Aging Community Connections Legal Aid Issues Women's Relationships With Women Friends Physical/Spiritual Activities For Health Books Humour Having Fun Meditation Gardening Photography Cooking Crafts/hobbies Some o f these topics were raised and discussed on the interactive email list and subsequently became Discussion Forum Topics in WebCT. Others were new topics suggested for WebCT Discussion Forums. Some were mentioned as subjects for future discussion. Levels o f interest varied from a mere suggestion that a topic would be interesting to explore to the expression o f detailed and passionate views on issues such as birthing and breastfeeding, housing and issues related to aging. Participants provided feedback on the information available on the website and WebCT and offered suggestions for new information to be posted. For example: Can you please make a mental health topic fo r the discussion area on the webct? Additions to the resource pages included: Canadian Center fo r Policy Alternatives, Tips from a Mom www.hbhautism.com/tivs from a be mom.him 81 Valued Resources Participants found that the shared information about communities and community resources provided them with a sense o f what is going on in other regions and with new ideas for resources they could use in their own community. News items; discussion o f issues o f common concern; descriptions o f services for women; and shared strategies to deal with concerns and bridge gaps in services were particularly useful, as this comment illustrates: It has helped me to identify gaps in service, not ju s t in my community but in the north. The Spinners appreciated that the “Spinners Gathering Place is a place to talk about the news and what is going on in our own areas o f the province It is “a place to come with problems a n d fin d resources, brainstorm ideas fo r solutions that have worked elsewhere ” and it “provides a one stop search engine There are a number o f resources provided in the WebCT Online Gathering Space that women said they benefited from. These included the calendar o f events, newsletters, an alphabetized list o f health topics and social issues: I fin d the calendar o f events really worthwhile The calendar is interesting even i f I can't attend the events it is good to know that they are going on so that I would be able to get workshop information i f I needed it and i f any woman I know might be able to attend There is a wealth o f information on the Women North network: community news (i.e. The Well), health topics o f concern to all o f us at sometime, profiles o f women with knowledge to share. Women are a Source o f Information and Resources Participants found that other participants are a valued resource. One woman expressed her interest in the information that other participants could bring when she said: 82 la m interested in learning from the group about child birth and lactation support in remote communities and where women turn to fo r help. I think you will bring a unique perspective to this group!! Another shared the location o f a website that “also has lots o f information to help with the planning process plus information regarding funding options Still another expressed her appreciation for the listing o f women’s profiles by saying: I stand in awe o f all the wonderful women we have right here in the north. I fe lt fo r a long time that there is a great deal o f untapped expertise in our community and that we should not have to look south fo r everything we need. It was also noted that “having the resources o f a large number ofpeople with a large number o f interests gives us all a better chance o f getting most information ” and that the WNN “is, in essence a means o f meeting/connecting with other women who are a great source o f information”. One woman summed it up well when she described the WNN as a way to “give all an opportunity to share their ideas and brainstorm with others to expand and improve their ideas ”. Email is Uncomplicated Some o f the specific things about the email list that women appreciated were that to some degree it is easier to use because it comes directly to the individual’s personal email and the news items are interesting and helpful: I fin d email simpler. I need more time on the WebCT [easier] to be able to respond to direct emails as opposed to going to a site and using message boards. The WNN Email list is good to keep up with all that is going on that is new email news items . . . are useful and Ifo rw a rd them immediately or delete them depending on i f they are relevant” e-mail - news and press releases were great! It saved my time and energy, I didn't have to look fo r the information myself! 83 being on the email list allows us to get information about different items without having to spend our entire lives searching the net fo r all the new stuff. Embedded links In messages provide a way to view a range o f documents, announcements, newsletters and other resources from websites by merely clicking on the link in the email message. Some women said they liked: links in the e mails so that I can ju s t click on when [email messages] have links imbedded in them so more [information] can be obtained i f needed. There were also comments that it is uncomplicated to participate in email discussions because it is effortless to respond by merely hitting a reply option; however, this can also result in a deluge o f messages and confusion about topics. Some women said that they "prefer going to the website than getting all the emails but need a reminder to check it out once or twice a day" and felt that it would be helpful to be able to “sign up fo r a daily or weekly [email] message that does a sort o f recap o f what has been posted that day (or week) on the web[CT]site WebCT Online Space is Interactive Spinning participants noted that there are a range o f features on the WebCT Online Gathering Space that support interaction. The WebCT email clearly indicates subjects that are threaded (grouped according to subject) separately from other messages and the discussion forum allows for distinct topics to be created as they emerge. Some o f the women’s comments about WebCT are as follows: everything is better organized so that each person can pay attention to the issues that matter allows access to the areas o f interest and to start new threads when there is an area not covered 84 organized by subject matter and that way I can go in and read on the things 1 am interested in all the threads are together and each person can follow along, replying when they fe e l appropriate. The live chat tool allows for discussion in real time supporting “a sense o f closeness and im m ediacy. . . during chat sessions, making it a good way to explore social/health issues”. Interaction is also supported by providing ways for women to contribute to the content on the WebCT and Website. There are many examples o f participants adding new discussion topics, links to websites, local and regional events to the Community Events Calendar, new topics and information for the Women’s Health and Wellness Resources A Z list. There were also suggestions for further developing the space. One woman suggested that a “community development slant and perspective on the content would diversify it considerably and make it more widely applicable ”. Seven participants provided information about themselves for their profile on the list o f members and they enjoyed reading about each others backgrounds, skills and interests: I have been really interested in the participant profiles. . . . There is ju s t so much we have in common. The opportunity to take on a designer role provides a way for women to contribute to, to change or recreate the look and content on the existing site. For example, a newly developed Spinners Having Fun page was created by a participant in the designing role in response to a chat discussion about women wanting to share hobbies and other personal interests. The women also commented that the interactive nature o f the WebCT Online Gathering Space promotes discussion and development o f action strategies: 1 like the way the ‘take action ’ ideas are fo rm in g . . . I can see the usefulness i f we start getting alot o f women checking in to the site. 85 This will described and discussed in greater detail in a subsequent category. WebCT is Visually Welcoming The women described the WNN Website and WebCT Online Gathering Space as visually pleasing and welcoming to women making it worthwhile for them to access. W omen’s comments included: H ove the look o f the website and can see that i f I w orkedfor a specific women's organization that it might become one o f my favorites H ove the web [CT]site and the graphics I really like the ‘Welcome Spinners’page! The entry messages, icons and graphics are useful and pleasing and one woman mused that the participants “could eventually post photos and a map ” that would reflect northern culture, geographic locations and more o f context for knowing about each other. WebCT is Convenient and Accessible Some participants felt that the WebCT is a worthwhile element o f the Women North Network because “it is web based and accessible from any computer so I can log on at work on a break or at home ”, is a “convenient way to share with others who want to share and learn ” and because it is “not always easy to make meetings and at times it is not easy to read. To have a source o f newsletters and recorded dialogue available to read as I can is great ”. Other women felt that “it is clear and easy to get around", “provides easy access ” and that some features are “easy to use and quick”. Category 3: Barriers that Prevent Participation in the WNN. The participants in this project have spoken about the intangible things that support them in participating in the Women North Network, about the tangible things they gain from 86 participating and what makes it worthwhile for them to involve themselves in the network. They also experienced a range o f issues and circumstances that limited or prevented their participation. The themes that capture barriers are as follows: Lack o f Time Lack o f time was a major barrier for women who participated in this project. There was a sense o f not having enough time to dedicate and focus on activities. Some o f the comments included: the biggest barrier has been the lack o f dedicated time to go to the site and make it work fo r me Iw a s lacking the time to really explore more! I have fo u n d the lack o f time to really get into it most frustrating I didn't have any problems except lack o f time Some women commented that “it takes time to really consider the discussions and time is something I do not have a lot o f at work OR at home right now ” and that they did not have enough time to really follow along with project activities: I want to fin d time to write about my experiences - so fa r haven't been able to fi t it in. One woman commented that: I haven't taken the time to really get to know the difference between the research p art versus the website Another expressed her frustration in this way: On hindsight I shouldn't have offered to be a part o f the project knowing the time commitment involved and that I would be spending my lunch hours and staying late at work to try and answer the questions and be part o f the activities. 87 Participants also spoke o f other priorities from multiple roles and heavy workload that often take up all available time. One woman said that “as a working mother o f three school age kids and very involved in community volunteerism Ife e l stretched [in] too many directions Realities o f W omen’s Lives The women also spoke o f many personal issues and realities in their lives that limited or prevented participation, such as: stress, many roles and responsibilities, health, (dis)ability, energy and other priorities that shifted their focus away from participating. One participant felt that because o f “work, family, extras, sometimes the news releases and info is ju s t one more stressor, some days it seems there is more bad news than good and I ju s t don't want to know sometim es”. Women’s multiple roles, responsibilities and workload impacted on how they were able to participate. Comments included: seeing andfeeling my own struggles to stay connected with regular log ins however is telling me something and showing me how incredibly distracted and hard we are on our selves I did not like that I could not devote as much time as I wanted to this project, seems like every time I sit to read the activities and write the response my children develop urgent dire needs that cannot wait fo r 10 minutes =:) such is life!! Workload - work expects miracles sometimes and there is simply not enough time in the day and checking in has fe lt like work sometimes. Some felt that in order to make the Women North Network worthwhile there must be some task oriented activities: We need to start making it happen - so that the energy and time is benefited by concrete action. The women also commented that: My whole life is in turmoil right now health limits the number o f hours a day that I can be "functional" 88 I fe lt shy . . . took me a fe w days o f reading the other people's stories before finding the motivation, confidence to introduce m yself Another women felt that “perhaps the fa c t that I am really connected locally and regionally and don't have a big need fo r networking at this time is a fa ctor in my use o f this tool Text Communication Text communication through email and through the WebCT tools easily allows for posting anonymous messages. The option to remain anonymous when sending text messages was offered to participants at the outset o f the project. On the Spinning a Northern Web Email List, senders were not identified unless they chose to identify themselves. Spinner usernames were created starting at 99spinnerl. Participants had a choice o f choosing an alias or using their first name to coincide with their Spinner username. There was a consensus to use first names. The anonymous nature o f the interactive email had been confusing. Participants felt that anonymity in text communication was not helpful and was detrimental to building a sense o f cohesion. The women commented on the issue o f anonymity in this way: I would like each participant to identify where they are from in each message. I need more information to build a context fo r the stories I am hearing.. I like to see a person as part o f how I listen and understand what they are saying., the stories are great - b u t the depth doesn't seem to be there fo r me yet Some issues were raised about the limitation o f text discussion: / fe e l this method o f communication - emails - is limited. Kind o ffla t unidimensional. There were concerns about being misunderstood or Judged: I struggled with the issue o f discussing sensitive topics with women I didn't know. In the absence o f body language or other information I questioned whether I would misinterpret their comments or they mine; whether I would inadvertently offend someone 89 1 know email often lacks a positive emotional flavour ...the negative always filters through Lack o f Others Participating Women recognize that they may not be participating to any great degree themselves: I look forw ard to new posts on the discussion lists, though I am disappointed that there are not more (not that I post frequently myself) Nevertheless they look forward to and anticipate responses to either their own messages or to others’ messages and are frustrated when there are no responses. One woman said: 1 did not like that there weren't new responses in the areas o f interest to me in the discussion area. When there are few women participating, spinner commented that “the group is not as cohesive as we were When the project shifted from the Spinning Interactive Email List to the WebCT Online Gathering Space, the women commented that there was a noticeable drop in participation on discussion topics and this decrease negatively affected their sense o f cohesion and their desire to participate themselves: la m a little disappointed that the online gathering space does not seem to be utilized as much as the email was I am disappointed that the conversation has died down Some women were also concerned that all women are not able to participate. Comments included: I w o n d er. . . [if] the WEBCTformat is .. . not limiting the involvement o f other women in other areas that may also need this type o f space or may have something to contribute that we can all learn from ? because this site is on WEBCT, it is not accessible to anyone which means there are alot o f women out there that can't access the information on the site. 90 Lack o f Technical Skills Although technical support through phone and email was available from the research technical assistant for women during the project, there was very little request for it. However, participants recognized that a lack o f skills did impact their desire and ability to use ICT: its all so new and my knowledge o f technology is very lim ited. . . I need more computer skills I am not a 'techie " and get a bit frustrated with the learning process but part o f the reason I wanted to jo in the project was to push m yself to learn more on how to get around sites. Some women seemed to prefer to try to figure things out on their own: I am able learn and teach m yself through simple trial and error Others had little interest in learning more: I seem to muddle through well enough to participate, but I am not up on the fin er details. I ju s t don't have the interest or motivation to improve my knowledge about the details. This is not a slight against the project or this web CT, it is my general opinion o f using technology. I tend to learn the bare minfimumj. Technical Issues Although careful planning went in to preparing for the Spinning project and there were many options for women to find and use tutorials and a library o f ‘How Tos’, some o f the women had difficulty managing email and finding their way around WebCT: I have checked and I now have 47 messages since October 18th. (that's when I became overwhelmed and ju s t left them in my Inbox till I could sort it out) and they are not repeated or duplicates. Confusing - I am probably missing something really simple and obvious. I have logged on to the web[CTjsite and all but fin d it time consuming to learn new stuff, altho (sic) I know I should ju s t get on with it as I usually like to learn. I also fo u n d I was overwhelmed with all the e-mails and internet connections and tutorials and Iju s t kind o f checked out fo r awhile. Some women described the directions and tutorials as being too technical and hard to find: 91 I don't do well reading technical directions N o t. . . able to access the tutorial la m unable to open the tutorial Outdated computers and hardware also made participation problematic; M y barrier was my modem not working at home so having to do my emailing, web surfing at work on my lunch hours or after work which severely limits the time available fo r such activities. Lack o f access to high speed internet and concerns about viruses also affected participation: [no] access to high speed internet at home . . . has prevented me fro m being as involved as I wish I could have been. (In fact, I don’t even have dial-up at the moment as my modem isn't working.) Also, my computer is getting old at home and I don't have virus protection on it and so I won't go on the internet anymore anyways because o f that threat. Challenges with Email The interactive Spinner Email List generated many messages as women discussed topics raised through activities and as they responded to one another. Although women appreciated the discussions and responses to their comments, there was also a great deal o f frustration as women found it difficult to stay current with email messages and activities of the project: All the emails!! Its alot and I want to read them all but don't have a lot o f time to give them the attention I would like to. Participants felt confused, overwhelmed and pressured: la m over run with [email] . . .1 am completely lost. Too much email and not enough clarity. I am really confused. I fe lt pressured to participate at that point. Women also lost track o f discussion topics using the interactive email list: 92 / would like to see a way o f showing in the subject line what the emails are. Maybe a way o f categorizing them so that I can prioritize them when they come in. Sometimes I spend so much time going through them all that I am exhausted by the time Ifin d the one that has something fo r me to do . . . I am not that clear yet on which ones I need to respond to and which are sent fo r information and which are simply sharing. Challenges with Online Gathering Space The confusion and pressure created when participating on the Interactive Email List may have dampened some enthusiasm for participating on the WebCT Online Gathering Space: I really like the WEBCT site and think i f the project would have moved here quicker it may have been better. I was getting really overwhelmed by the emails and thought I may not have time to participate in this project the way things were going. Now it seems like many are not participating on the site and I wonder i f they think they will be overwhelmed here too? Some participants felt that going to a specific place on the internet and then having to log on was an extra chore and they would need reminders to participate on the WebCT: I keep forgetting to add the web ct address to my favorites, so have to look fo r address each time I want to access project. I need a reminder to check [WebCT] out once or twice a day. I liked the idea o f making it my home page but as I was doing my stu ff at work I didn't want to do that. Learning how to use WebCT in a detailed way takes time and some women are confused about how to use the various tools and participate in the various activities: 1 wasn't always sure where to respond and I was lacking the time to really explore more! I am still confused about all the links on the WebCT. Some women felt that they needed more time to explore in more depth: am still learning how to navigate the WebCT and website - fin d it a bit confusing as to what I've re a d -w h e re - did I answer that question already, etc. but having more time to explore would help straighten it out. I fe e l pretty confident in my computer skills so it really is ju s t the lack o f time andfocusing on what I am doing. 93 Some women also commented that it is a problem for them that there is no way to know if anyone else is on the Online Gathering Space with them: D id not like . . . the fa c t that I could not know i f someone was also on/at the gathering place . . . it would have been good to know that [she] was ‘there ’ so we could go to a chat i f we wanted or to the white board to show something. There was an enthusiastic response to the content on the Website and on the WebCT Online Gathering Space, however, the women made many suggestions for improvement. Some examples include: I did not like that new discussions were opened rather than answering in one already opened when the topics were the same (or nearly the same). This results in too many threads to open. calendar is good but I think we should encourage a ‘regional ’ look to this so we can develop that scope o f activities the kind that might make me want to travel to participate in . . . a local flavour is nice . . . but fo r the wider scope o f women in the north it is not as useful. I have looked at the web listings and I am not finding them terribly useful but am thinking I could add a fe w more that would diversify it a bit Although all efforts were made (including a link to the Website on the WebCT homepage) to distinguish the two sites, there was confusion about the difference between the publicly accessible WNN Website and the password protected WebCT Online Gathering Space: I am not truly clear i f the WebCT Online Gathering Space is what I am on right now? Does this mean the WebCT site that I have been logging onto to check the inbox and new messages in the discussion areas? I quite frankly cannot tell you what is the difference [Website and WebCT] - H o g in and use the WebCT - and I guess that is the only way I have been using the site there are other ways to enter??? there is a separate web site ??? Category 4: The WNN Supports Political and Social Action From discussions about action and about planning an action strategy a description o f how the WNN supports women in planning events and other action strategies is described. 94 Means o f Networking Spinning participants report that being part o f the Women North Network supports networking between individuals, within communities and between communities which, they believe is important for social action: Networking seems to happen easily via the net. Networking is vital to social activism. One participant said that the Women North Network “is now the first place I would go to fin d out what is happening in my community and other areas o f the north ” and another shared her view that it “provides a way o f getting information out to other communities ”. It supports sharing ideas, informing one another on issues, brainstorming and finding solutions. One woman suggested that she “will try and see what kind o f regional interest and comments I can get to build on the ideas we are fo rm in g ’’. Communicating and networking to find solutions creates bonds between individuals and communities around common issues and builds a sense o f connection with a larger community because “it is an excellent way to connect with others in the province facing similar experiences ’’. The network is a means for spreading action in communities by communicating information on issues, solutions found in some communities “by allowing a place to discuss the issues, share ideas and strategies and plan the next course o f action ’’. Desire to Involve Other Women The WebCT Online Gathering Space promotes in women a desire to involve other women in the WNN. Women found the Online Space visually pleasing and appreciated that they had control over and flexibility in how they participate; they value the resources and information offered and the opportunity to interact with women in many other communities who have similar interests and concerns. Consequently, they expressed a desire to promote 95 participation in the Women North Network and want to share the same opportunity with others. A Spinner suggested that a student “in the social work program at the local college ” could benefit from participating because the WebCT would be an “excellent resource fo r her when she is doing papers on related subjects Others felt that promoting participation in the WNN would be beneficial to women in their own communities. One woman said that she knows: many women who would benefit fro m an online social network and I think having free local training to help women become fam iliar with the network would be beneficial. I also think women could benefit from the safety o f the WebCT. Other reasons to promote participation included reducing isolation for women locally and regionally and that as more women participate in the network it would become more worthwhile as a collective voice o f women develops. Creation o f a Common Vision The Spinning a Northern Web participants indicated that through the Women North Network a common vision for change can develop: this network has helped me visualize and think a larger regional community o f northern women is possible . . . to bridge gaps and connect over common ground. One participant said that it is a way of: establishing common ground building a northern and rural culture that is valued, respected and honoured by urbanites reducing isolation sharing connections with wilderness landscapes and inspiring activities in the outdoors balancing northern solitude with the global village. Another said that the network provides a way to identify gaps in local communities by considering what is happening in other communities: The number o f events that stimulate social activism in the north amazes me. When I see w hat’s happening in other communities I get ideas fo r events in my community. I also get inspired. 96 A common vision benefits from the diverse perspectives: The variety o f opinions and ideas is stimulating and can't help but be productive when it comes to social action strategies . . . having a place to connect is so valuable. The vision created by women through their participation engenders a desire to get involved in issues: being in touch with a fe w women o f action and commitment who are attending meetings and events in their community and sharing what they have learned will have a rippling effect in our communities. It also provides a way for women to support one another in the face o f resistance o f others by backing each other up to stand up for common beliefs. As one woman put it: emotional support from others. It is not easy to stand up fo r what you believe in sometimes and the emotional toll it takes can be devastating, because there will always be people who call you crazy, useless, radical, a bleeding heart............................................ so much more. Organizing fo r Change The connections, relationships and sense o f community that develop through participation on the WNN promote a common and collective voice advancing organizing activities. Women said: Having some back-up to make the VOICE LOUDER and more easily heard. above all it is good to fe e l ‘connected ' to other voices. The connections developed through participation on the WNN creates a sense o f possibility for organizing common events and action strategies because “it is a place to come together to ‘make news ' i f there is an issue that requires some action in one place or another". It is a way to bring women together to make planning an easier task. One woman said that: many brains make short work! I wish I had this type o f help when trying to fin d solutions to my own organizations funding woes! 97 Women said that the WNN also supports women in getting involved both locally and regionally: Having a venue to connect with other women from other northern communities could be very helpful i f anyone o f us was organizing events in our own communities. It encourages a belief in the power to create change through connecting and organizing: It is great to have other women be able to respond to something and realize that you can spark some social action that might be heard. Relationships and community created through online interactions creates a desire to promote concrete planning for action. As one participant said: we need to start making it happen - so that the energy and time is benefited by concrete action. Even i f it is a commitment to ‘ta lk’ about pieces to the idea or some idea it doesn't matter what - j u s t that we get some commitment to move forw ard with some thing so we see something come o f it. Participants found that the WNN also supports grassroots movements and began exploring options for creating an action strategy: One o f the ideas I have been thinking about is a grassroots campaign to make the ‘Powers that Be ’ in Victoria more aware o f how their financial decisions and cutbacks affect actual people. We are referred to as the ‘H eartland’ o f EC and there are some many plays on words that could be used around that theme - ‘have a heart ’, ‘speaking from our hearts ’, etc. I am thinking that we could get women o f the north to make ‘hearts ’ - quilted ones, stained glass ones, crocheted ones, paper cut out ones, wall hangings, ornaments, etc and send them to Victoria fo r Valentines Day - a real Heart to Heart campaign. Category 5: A Focus on Health and Wellness Motivates Participation in the WNN As mentioned earlier, the women who contributed to the Spinning a Northern Web project provided a tremendous amount o f information about women’s health and wellness, about services and programs for women in northern, rural and remote communities and also about how health for women and health care delivery can be improved in their communities. It is not within the scope o f the report to provide an in-depth look at what they have said 98 about specific health related issues. However, it is important to look at how the focus on health and wellness motivates women to he a part o f the WNN because o f their passion and commitment to health for themselves, their families and their communities. Connecting Supports W omen’s Health The women in this project believe that relationships with other women and with family and community along with connections to community services and programs are a fundamental determinant o f their health: I know a big part o f my own wellness is the network offriends I have who care about me - who share my cirele o f caring with fam ily and children - who I do things with so when I look around me and see a woman in isolation - with fe w friends or fam ily close by and little interaction in her life. This beeomes an indicator fo r a quality o f life - not there - and a place where wellness is compromised. connections to community — this is critical. . . in coping with poor health and offering a pow er to over come the unwellness - chronic or not - in some way without the connections within the community beyondfamily and friends to service providers and programs that link us with people in the community that make us belong to a bigger world than our own vortex o f dismay and illness — this leads us to wellness and makes it more accessible - achievable. One woman said that it is “important fo r women to be able to access some type o f peer support” and another hoped that through discussions on the WNN she could “learn how others do s e lf care, how do others keep healthy in a place that has little to nothing in the line o f good health care ”. The women described the contribution that connections have for their health and further suggested how this can be achieved on the WNN. During a chat session one woman portrayed the WNN as a place to discuss health issues that she may not feel able to take to health care providers or that she may not want to burden her family with: sometimes a woman can right away understand what you are saying or trying to say also i f a person has health questions that are hard to ask the doctor, you could practice here [WebCT] andfeel supported that you are not a hysterical fem ale to ask 99 these questions also i f you live alone, and a lot o f us do, you could talk about your worry list, that I don't want to talk about to my kids. Another woman expressed that she has “great hopes that this project and website will continue to be a significant addition to the ongoing communication among women in the north Networking through the WNN can be a way for women to connect in ways that may positively contribute to their broad perspective on health and wellness. Health Promotion Focus Through their interactions and discussions during the Spinning a Northern Web Project, women were inspired, motivated and animated when talking about their own health, health for women in their communities and their vision o f what comprised health: Health and wellness in the north has so many facets, it is more than our bodies; it is our minds, our spirits, and our emotions. They eloquently suggested that a focus on determinants o f health and health promotion is central to their vision: Health and wellness needs to move beyond looking at the physical needs to be a healthy body; it must look at what is necessary to make a healthy woman. I think it is important that health and wellness be an interactive and adapting system that will meet the needs o f diverse women from diverse backgrounds. We should also not look ju s t to doctors and the medical system fo r health and wellness. Health and wellness should be addressed broadly and from many avenues. So many women that I have met and work with struggle day to day with poverty, with parenting, with unsafe or inappropriate housing, with inadequate or unsafe childcare, with relationship/family violence, with addictions and so much more. When your entire day is spent trying to make sure your kids have somewhere safe to be andfilling to eat, quite often on a pocket fu ll o f coins, little time is left fo r thoughts o f your own well-being. It is interesting times - we are seeing everywhere the talk o f ‘working together ' or ‘social determinates o f health ’ but a slow melting o f the traditional modes o f hunkering down and ju s t getting the work done, dealing with the disease - and not looking up to see what else is happening - 1feel very privileged to be a part o f this shift in thinking - however slow. 100 1 believe that the big issue facing women in my community is the lack o f resources to keep hope in their lives. Housing is a fundam ental issue that many other issues snowball from . Issues such as violence, abuse, drug and alcohol dependency, which are all big problems in my community can be traced back to the lack o f basic needs being fulfilled. Without a warm safe and secure place to call home, no one man, woman or child, can be expected to live their lives, work or build a future. Private housing costs are above what provincial income assistance pays and this causes many women to hook up with undesirable men (it works both ways) ju s t to provide the basics in life. When a person is so focussed on ju s t living they can not fo cu s on obtaining skills to improve their life, finding a jo b to advance their situation or seeing any hope fo r the future. This affects physical, mental, and emotional health and wellness. One woman asks the question: So much o f what creates illness is outside o f our bodies. Its environmental. How can I create health within my body i f all around me is illness? The women were passionate about the detailed aspects o f women’s health that were raised. They were spurred on to engage with one another in these complex discussions even though their only connection was within the virtual space o f the WNN: A nd here la m now on this women's health rant that seems to have aroused some interest from the network and I don't personally know anybody out there reading my thoughts. Information is Critical to Health Earlier 1 described the ways in which the WNN supports information sharing activities and listed a number o f topics and issues that women were interested in knowing more about. It is also important to underscore the women’s belief that "access to information is one o f the most important things fo r women to be healthy” and that it is important for them "to take charge o f the information available ” because "knowledge is p o w er”. The Spinners’ exchange o f ideas provides examples o f how they see information sharing and education as a way to have a positive effect on women’s health from the most specific to the broadest perspective: 101 Knowing what kind o f financial assistance and aid is available within other communities would be good information to share. 1 think it is most important to provide open, available information on all the different ways a person can deliver a baby, safely, (sic) can nurse or not. This is the age o f knowledge and everyone has a right to that. One o f the main goals o f the program was to help women overcome ‘barriers ’ by being matched with a mentor who could provide leadership and guidance. Some o f the barriers women are facing in school, employment and in the community include poverty, race, disabilities, and more. It is a program I am keen on learning more and maybe participating in and encourage others to check in to it fo r themselves or fo r their communities. Where la m living, there are a lot o f Fetal Alcohol Syndrome children and adults I think in order to deal with people who are affected by FAS, people should be educated on what it actually is, what causes it, what we can do to prevent it, etc. One woman described an online support group that she created on the internet and that was connected through a web link to both the WNN website and Online Gathering Space: My support group offers support, some information, some links to check out other sites on the web, and ju s t people reaching out to other people fo r guidance, support, advise, knowledge, whatever you can offer. You do not have to have a child with FAS, ju s t being a parent, or a caring adult, who is willing to offer support to another is good enough. I think FAS affects women mostly because without supports in place, a lot o f women are choosing to drink during pregnancy. Focus fo r Action The WNN is a way to strategize and organize for action and the focus on health is an incentive to engage in those activities because women believe that is important “to make sure we don't loose what we have, and to work at gaining more and better services ” because “we need to keep and sustain what we have One woman commented as follows: I think the [WNN] gives women in the north a place and mode to advertise or provoke discussion re: topics that they are working on, have questions about, need to inform others of, etc. A ll the benefits o f the Web C T and e mail that have been discussed pertain to social and health activism being done by this method. 102 Another woman suggested a strategy for action that considers a range o f issues related to living in northern, rural and remote BC and captures a desire to build on women’s strengths: A travelling forum, gathering, whatever you want to call it, something that moves up the Hwy 16 corridor. This will enable women to attend at least one gathering that is close to their homes without breaking the bank with travel costs A t each gathering someone could record, pictures, video, etc, events as they take place and at the end hold one big GALA event to share all the experiences along the way or those who cannot attend or connect to internet, some type o f book could be made to share the experience with everyone, something with a catchy title that encorporates (sic) all the unique and strong women who live and thrive here. Another connected this idea for action to a strategy used by women in the past to address a specific health issue for women: a travelling road show across the north - remembering the bus that the Vancouver Women's Health Collective took across the province in the seventies disseminating information and resources re: women's reproductive health. Other woman contributed to the discussion in this way: This scrapbook would be at every gathering, once the circuit has been completed, the scrapbook could be compiled and published as a story o f Rural North Women and our uniqueness and strength, it could then be sold fo r fundraising purposes. I f a scrapbook is too much work, videos could be made, whatever. This would open the door to many who would otherwise be unable to attend a central gathering due to low income, travel restraints, fam ily - well, we all know how many restraints there are. so empowering to hear dynamic speakers, to see living examples o f a life well lived. . .. I fe e l energized when la m with women my age who are excited about doing things and seem to have no barriers. Role models fo r the new ‘lo o k’ o f ages 60 and onward. So - after a round about way I say that a conference would be great, like a Woodstock fo r women's health. We could have speakers and maybe even the Raging Grannies and The Red Hat Society. Count me in! I was thinking o f a regional w om en’s wellness event that we could hold this summer. 103 Quantitative Analysis - Descriptive Statistics The quantitative, statistical data used in this description were drawn from researcher tracked email messages and through the WebCT tracking features and entered into an Excel datasheet. The researcher placed all direct email and Spinning a Northern Web Interactive Email messages in separate weekly folders so that the number o f messages sent and received could be manually counted. Participant activity on the WNN Online Gathering Space was automatically tracked by a feature in WebCT that recorded the number o f times that participants visited or used various tools and features. Messages sent by participants using the WebCT discussion forum were manually counted because the WebCT tracking system provided data about each specific participant and did not include messages that were posted anonymously. Table 4 Participant Messages Posted Throughout Project Categories o f messages Interactive email messages Direct email messages WebCT internal email WebCT discussion forum Each week Total messages Each phase Total messages Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Week # Week # Week # Total messages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 36 36 13 2 9 0 0 0 96 35 14 4 8 15 14 5 9 104 0 0 17 9 13 1 3 2 45 0 0 14 16 8 8 24 27 97 71 50 48 35 45 23 32 38 342 121 128 93 104 Table 4 illustrates the distribution o f all the messages posted by participants throughout the 8 weeks o f the project. Messages in Phase 1 were comprised o f responses to the introductory questionnaire, comments on WNN Email new items and to messages from the researcher outlining activities and focusing attention on health and wellness for women. There were also participant discussion messages as topics emerged and finally there were responses to the Phase 1 evaluation that was sent by direct email to each participant. Phase 2 messages (see Table 4) were the women’s replies to researcher messages that had provided updates, instructions for activities and WNN Email List news items. The Spinners continued to discuss health-related topics through interactive email which also began to shift over to the WebCT Discussion Forum. There were messages requesting assistance from the researcher and some that were in response to the Phase 2 evaluation. The women also used email and the discussion forum to problem-solve amongst themselves. The Spinning Interactive Email List was deactivated at the end o f Phase 2; however, the researcher did continue to post reminders and instructions about activities through direct email to participants outside o f the WebCT space for the duration o f the project. Phase 3 messages (see Table 4) were primarily posted by Spinners through WebCT email and to the Discussion Forum topics that had resulted from final phase activities. These were focused on sharing action ideas and strategies and responding to and talking about the five research questions (Appendix G). Some participants posted their comments and thoughts on the five research questions and to the final phase evaluation through direct email messages to the researcher. A result o f the complex technical problem described earlier, a copy o f the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space was preserved on October 29. This made it is possible to 105 view WebCT activity for the first two weeks o f the transition phase as participants began using the WebCT space. The weekend days o f October 30 and 31 are missing from some of the data due to the technical problems; however, the researcher noted in her journal that there was little or no activity on the WebCT site that weekend. Another copy was preserved on November 29 that recorded participant use o f the Online Gathering Space from November 1 to the project completion. Table 5 Participant Activity on WebCT Features Visited Web CT Participation Oct 18 to Oct 29* Web CT Participation Nov 1 to Nov 29** Total Web CT Participation Oct 18 to Nov 29 Discussion Forum Messages read 295 560 855 Homepage 184 222 406 Organizer Pages 41 66 107 Content Pages 11 52 63 Women’s Profile List 82 25 107 Quiz/Survey 0 12 12 Calendar 5 13 18 Chat Sessions 0 5 5 Other 29 3 32 647 958 1605 Total * First 2 weeks o f Phase 2 ** Last week o f Phase 2 and entire Phase 3 Table 5 shows that participants visited the features and tools on the WebCT Online Gathering Space frequently during the final two phases o f the project. Ten o f the women had logged on to the WebCT Online Gathering Space within the first two weeks o f Phase 2 and 106 had explored it in some detail and one more had logged on for the first time during the final four weeks. The Discussion Forum topics and the list o f WNN member profiles were popular sites to visit. Although this was to some degree a result o f participation in the structured activities, the number o f visits does indicate an enthusiasm for those two features and validates what the women said. While the WebCT statistics do not identify the specific organizer pages that each woman visited, it does so for the homepage and content pages. The content pages that the Spinners viewed were those that provided information about the WNN and the Spinning a Northern Web project. Spinners also showed an interest in the Women’s Health and Wellness Resources List and the Website Links list. Some also viewed newsletters, announcements and documents relating to funding opportunities and health-related topics. Phase 2 was extended by one week as was Phase 3. This additional time was intended to accommodate women’s busy lives and afforded extra time for women to get caught up on activities, engage in discussions and to explore the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space in more depth. By the time that the project was complete, all but one participant had logged on to the WebCT Online Gathering Space. As Figure 1 indicates, there was a wide range o f activity on the WebCT Space. The statistical measures show that Participant H had logged on five times when in fact she had not. These log-ins resulted from the researcher’s efforts to ensure that there were no technical problems preventing the participant from accessing the site. 107 Figure 1 Total WebCT Activity: Phase 2 & Phase 3 600 -537- « $ 400 0 S* 1 : 270 300 I TO 200 ^ -S 2 § 100 o h- .O E 3 A Spinner Code Table 6 illustrates the Spinners participation in the structured activities for each stage o f the project. In Phase 1, all 12 participants responded to the introductory questionnaire; however, due to one participant’s difficulty accessing a computer and the internet, involvement by the end o f Phase 1 dropped to 11 women who engaged consistently in most activities. Although the Spinners were encouraged to try out various aspects o f the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space through project activities, they were not pressured to do so. The structured activities in the final two phases were intended to engage women in the process o f learning to use the features and tools in WebCT in order to learn a new approach to interacting and connecting. They were encouraged to continue discussing topics raised during the first phase; however, during Phase 2 they were asked to shift these discussions from email to the WebCT Discussion Forum. Participation in activities during Phase 2 dropped somewhat. Also, during this time another participant withdrew from the project. Table 6 also indicates that nine was the highest number o f participants engaged in any o f the suggested activities. However, participation was actually distributed amongst 10 Spinners 108 across the range o f possible activities. All 10 did not complete all o f the activities. One participant chose to take on the role o f designer. Although the women expressed interest in and were intrigued by the idea o f taking on a designer role, no others felt they had the time to devote to learning the skills required to add content to the Online Gathering Space. The evaluation for Phase 2 was available to participants in a number of ways. Three women took the opportunity to learn how to use the quiz tool and submitted their evaluation in that way. The other five did so through email. Table 6 Participation in Structured Activities Phases One Two Three Activities Number o f participants Introductory questionnaire 12 Participants introduction message 11 Health for women discussion 11 Suggestion o f health topic 11 Women’s services discussion 8 Phase 1 Evaluation 11 Email message in WebCT 8 Post discussion forum message 9 Information for women’s profile list 7 Post event to community calendar 3 Addition to website list or resource list 8 Designing role 1 Phase 2 Evaluation 8 Taking action discussion 8 Live chat 5 Research question discussion 8 Phase 3 Evaluation 5 109 Table 6 also indicates that eight participants were engaged in most activities and discussions during the final phase. Some were unable to join in on live chat sessions as these were scheduled for times when the greatest number o f women was available. There was enthusiasm for the Taking Action activity. Eight participants posted 18 messages on the discussion forum and there were three chat sessions to discuss the topic. The Research Question activity was available through the WebCT Discussion Forum and six participants used that option to post their thoughts and to respond to other’s comments. Two others provided their comments through email. The Phase 3 evaluation was made available using the survey tool in WebCT and through email. Three women learned to use the survey tool and responded in that way. Two others responded through direct email to the researcher. The statistical description o f the participants’ involvement during the project - the number o f messages they sent, the number o f visits to the various features on WebCT and their participation in the structured activities, validates the Spinners’ own descriptions o f their experience o f using email and the WNN Online Gathering Space. For example, there were indeed many email messages exchanged during Phase 1 which led to some women feeling confused and intimidated. Contributions to the various topics for discussion dropped off when they were relocated to the Discussion Forum on WebCT. However, there was a great deal o f activity on the other features offered through the Online Space. Although it is not possible to run sophisticated tests on this data due to the small sample size, this statistical description provides an illustration o f the women’s participation and confirms their experience as described in the qualitative analysis. 110 Chapter Eight Discussion This chapter is intended to provide an interpretation o f the categories, themes and statistical information described previously. It is important to emphasize that 1 in no way believe that 1 am the expert on or have any special insight into the Spinners’ experiences. 1 do however, hope to adequately and accurately express an understanding o f their experience by paying close attention to the essence and spirit o f what they have shared with one another and with me through this project. This is one interpretation; however commitment to this interpretation in no way precludes the possibility o f other interpretations (DeVault, 1999). Interpretations o f the significance o f the findings are based on my intimate association with the project, the analysis o f the data and the description o f the results as 1 have come to understand them (Patton, 2002). This account is founded upon the frameworks for understanding a women-centred approach to health and ICT as discussed previously through the review o f relevant literature (Grbich, 1999). 1 also draw from my strengths-based social work practice framework which has a foundation in progressive, structural, antioppressive social work values and principles. It is my intention to reflect on and to convey in a respectful, thoughtful and women-centred way, my understanding o f what the women in the Spinning a Northern Web project have said is practical, meaningful and supportive for women using ICT to network for health and wellness. The findings from this research provide the basis for an understanding o f women’s experience o f using ICT; in this case, participating in using email, the WebCT Online Gathering Space and the WNN Website. This discussion is rooted in the Spinners’ own understanding o f and perspectives on what supports and prevents their participation, what they gain from and find worthwhile about participating, what supports them in taking action to influence health and social policy and how a focus on health motivates them to participate. I will consider and explore these as implications for creating a women-centred approach to ICT that will have significance for the Women North Network and other similar networks. The categories o f themes that emerged through this research are to some degree an artificial construction o f the women’s experience. They are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What Supports Participation in the WNN What Women Gain From and Find Worthwhile about the WNN Online Strategy Barriers that Prevent Participation in the WNN How the WNN Supports Political and Social Action A Focus on Health and Wellness Motivates Participation in the WNN The themes and their features were at times quite specific and distinct (e.g., the tangible, specific gains such as information about health and social issues or features that make email or the online space worthwhile). Conversely, themes were at other times interwoven and interrelated (e.g., the issue o f time and its impact on when and how women participate thus influencing their perception o f what supports them, what they gain, what they find worthwhile and how they take action). The possible variations, combinations and transformations illustrating thematic uniqueness and interrelatedness are too many to reflect on in their entirety; however, the broadest most significant o f these will be discussed. Women recognize the value o f the Women North Network and the opportunities it provides for using ICT to share information and resources about health and wellness. They also recognize its worth in furthering their strategies to influence health and social policy, programs and services. Furthermore, they are enthusiastic about the possibilities it offers to come together in a virtual way to learn about other communities, to share experiences and expertise, to explore, discuss and gain support for their personal and political concerns and 112 take action on common issues. There are explicit and implicit ways that they identify both practical and abstract concerns and complexities about access to and participation in the electronic strategy o f the WNN. Finally, they appreciate the WNN as an online venue to build relationships resulting in a sense o f community that provides a structure for women to explore and take action to promote health for themselves, their families and their communities. The women in the Spinning a Northern Web project challenge networks such as the WNN to create electronic strategies that contribute to and are amenable with their daily lived experiences. The women-centred, expansive view o f health as the foundation for the WNN contributes positively to women’s lives and supports them in exploring the social determinants o f health and a vision o f health and health promotion for northern, rural and remote communities in BC. Furthermore, it is a catalyst for creating an electronic space that is centred on women, offering them an opportunity to influence the internet to become a tool that meets their needs. Access Leading to Participation Through their own words and through the multiple ways in which they used email and the WebCT features and tools, it is clear that women in this study acknowledge the value o f ICT strategies such as the WNN as an electronic way to support women’s networking activities. In order to transform acknowledgment into practical, concrete worth, ICT and networks such as the WNN must be accessible in meaningful, practical and significant ways so that the opportunity to participate conforms to the realities o f women’s lived experience (Pollock & Sutton, 2003). 113 The findings in this study support the proposition that an important aspect o f access to and participation in ICT is the availability o f up-to-date computers and software, to affordable high-speed internet and to skills training (Baker, 2003; Huyer & Carr, 2002). Women reported difficulty in participating due to a variety o f technical barriers related to computers, internet and skills; one study participant withdrew because o f complications related to these kinds o f difficulties. This issue is o f particular importance to women in northern, rural and remote communities where publicly accessible computer stations and availability o f high speed internet access is problematic due to geographic isolation and prohibitive cost (Baker, 2003). Currently, information, resources and services are more and more often channelled to communities and individuals through the internet; requiring the use o f computers (Sy, 2003). Communities, groups and individuals that do not have the resources, capacity or opportunity to readily access computers and the internet are less able to participate in and contribute to the governing and redistribution processes that are significant for them (Hackett & David, 2003; Stayaert, 2002). They are also left out of decision making processes about how information and communication technology will be further developed and used. Other access issues identified by the Spinners are related to women’s unequal access described elsewhere as the digital divide (Baker, 2003; Eckdahl & Trojer, 2002; Huyer, 1999; Light, 2001). They provided an account o f the difficulties that influenced their capacity to access and participate in using the WNN. These included heavy workloads due to their multiple roles in the community, workplace and family; a lack o f the financial means to purchase computers and high-speed internet; and a lack o f skills training. Most participants confirmed an interest in learning more about ICT and many stated they wanted to be part o f 114 the project in order to learn more and to gain more skills in using computers and the internet. However, they also emphasized a sense o f discouragement, lack o f motivation and insufficient time to focus on learning anything more than the minimum essentials required to use ICT in their jobs and to fulfill their basic communication and information gathering needs. These digital divide complexities are often related to unequal access for women due to gender issues such as fewer opportunities to benefit from the supports required for effective use o f ICT (Huyer & Carr, 2002). Socio-economic inequities that result in barriers such as poverty and lack o f employment and education are often associated with women’s inequality and oppression and further complicate the digital divide (Baker, 2003; Bimber, 2000; Hackett & David, 2003). Barriers to women’s use o f ICT in general, and in the WNN in particular, replicate those that complicate women’s full access to and participation in the benefits o f society which contribute to and promote their health and well-being (Eckdahl & Trojer, 2002; Escobar, 1999). The description o f the findings also indicates that, despite these barriers, the WNN is an example o f women creating and recreating the internet to become more practical and useful to them. It provides valuable information and resources and augments their networking, relationship and community building activities. It is a way to build on local efforts to organize for action to create positive change. Furthermore, the WNN offers women the opportunity to expand their local action strategies to a larger northern and regional level; thus creating a stronger voice for change. Finally, it is indeed useful in furthering their goals to promote health for women by providing a means to advocate for and work towards equality and social justice. 115 Access and participation are both the challenge and the solution. The challenge is to ensure that women have equitable opportunity to use, benefit from and influence ICT. The solution involves women gaining those opportunities. As they do, their contributions and influence ensure that ICT will develop in women-centred ways that promote inclusion, respect for diversity, and a focus on social justice. This study highlights some o f the elements that support women’s access to and participation in the WNN and ICT in general. The process o f the Spinners connecting with one another, developing relationships and building a sense o f community, contributed to a foundation for them to begin diseussing and organizing events to benefit their health and wellness (e.g., a ‘traveling gathering’ women’s health fair) and for action to create social and political change (e.g., the ‘Hearts from the Heartland’ campaign). The process o f finding and building from networks o f supportive, quality relationships has a positive influence on women’s health (Leipert, 1999) and engages them in being a part o f utilizing and developing ICT to their benefit (Balka, 1997; Light, 1995). Relationship and Community Building Leading to Action In this study, women have described both through their words and through the manner o f their participation, the eoncrete and the intangible things that engage them in using the internet and the WNN. Their interest in learning more about one another is evident in the number o f times they visited the profiles o f women in the Online Gathering Space. It is further evident through the supportive relationships that began to develop out o f their admiration and respect for one another as they shared stories, experiences and perspectives. They learned that they shared similar concerns for women’s health and wellness, had eomparable difficulties with managing multiple roles and responsibilities and held common 116 views on the value o f ICT and Issues with and barriers to using computers and the internet. A growing sense o f community developed that was further supported by a high regard for the diverse nature o f the group and a commitment to the unique values that some described as a northern culture. These supportive relationships cannot be underestimated as a foundation for building women’s capacity to use ICT for their own benefit and to create an online community that takes action to create positive change (Pollock & Sutton, 2003; Sutton & Pollock, 2000). Online community grows when women recognize that concerns in their local communities are comparable to those for women and communities across the North. There is much that they can learn from one another about confronting these common difficulties. A sense o f community is further supported as women refer to and express a desire to preserve a common vision o f the North and northern values and culture. They share concerns about who is left out o f this online community and seek to find ways o f extending the opportunity to other women. They value diversity and recognize that women from many backgrounds, cultures and experiences bring an esteemed perspective and unique knowledge and skills to this community. By connecting on common interests, issues and values and through promoting inclusion o f others, the stage is set for them to begin to consider ways to create a collective voice for addressing their mutual concerns. It is an opportunity to also create a voice for the preservation and advancement o f the values that are the foundation for a unique culture o f living in northern, rural and remote communities in British Columbia. They feel empowered by the capacity o f women in separate geographic communities, distant from one another, to join together through networks such as WNN to create a louder, stronger voice that comes 117 from many women expressing their desire for change. Women are also motivated to influence the policies that have such a profound impact on their lives - policies o f governments that are far removed from them geographically and from the values and ideals they wish to preserve. Contributing to W omen’s Lived Experience in a Positive Way Undoubtedly, the factors that support and limit access to and participation in building online community and creating action strategies are complex and often indicative o f issues that occupy, sustain and burden women in other aspects o f their lives. The women in this study have many demanding roles and responsibilities. They value their relationships, community connections and the precious little time that they seek to shelter for their own self-care. They have strong connections to and concerns for family and for their local communities. Their many roles and responsibilities are complicated by issues such as geographic, social and cultural isolation, socio-economic status and health and disability issues. The level to which women participate in electronic strategies such as the WNN is made more difficult when women are required to prioritize the array o f responsibilities and choices that compete for their attention and time. To find value in participating in a virtual network such as the WNN, there must be outcomes that enhance their lives and alleviate rather than add to their heavy workloads and responsibilities. Uncomplicated access to current and relevant information that can be used in fulfilling responsibilities and completing tasks would provide that appeal. Support for personal issues and concerns as well as promotion o f meaningful dialogue on health and wellness topics and social issues in a timely and interactive manner is also engaging. Furthermore, ICT and the WNN will become an 118 integral part o f women’s networking activities when women can trust that their ideas and strategies will result in concrete action with positive, tangible achievements. Women sometimes feel burdened by their lived experience and by a sense o f being pulled in many directions. Project participation made it clear that involvement in electronic strategies such as the WNN must not add to that sense o f being burdened. Women value opportunities to explore and share activities for self-care and fun. As a place to offload some o f the stress they experience, ICT and the WNN facilitate greater participation and health. Moreover, it offers information and resources about health as well as supports women as they strive for health and wellness, rather than contributing to factors that drain women’s energy leading to ill-health. Women’s involvement in the future development o f the network will ensure that it contributes positively to their lives rather than competing for valued attention and time. It is through promoting greater and more accessible participation that the network will continue to develop in ways that are meaningful and valuable for women; consequently making it worthwhile to be involved in ICT and contribute to its further development. Significance to and Implications fo r Social Work Policy and Practice Information and communication technology provides a structure for social work advocacy and social and political action using powerful tools for gathering and sharing information and resources, raising awareness o f issues, and applying pressure for social change (Harcourt, 2002; Hawthorne, 2001). Perhaps most importantly, it has the capacity to encourage inclusion and participation in activities that promote an equitable society, political action and social change (Hick & McNutt, 2002; Lai, 2002). The social work profession is in a position to adopt ICT, and particularly the internet, to bring innovation to social change 119 objectives. The lessons learned from the women in this study can inform and guide social workers as they create online social work practice. As part o f the development o f social work practice and social policy that embraces information and communication technology, it is critically important for social workers to recognize and confront the digital divide. Conventional issues that are often barriers to full participation and equitable access such as poverty and lack o f access to economic and educational resources can also prevent full participation in and equitable access to using and shaping technology (Escobar, 1999; Steyaert, 2002). While participating in the development of online tools that are responsive to social justice concerns, social workers must also work to ensure that such tools are accessible to all. A way for the social work profession to address these concerns is to focus on health promotion and to confront the complexities o f those things that determine health for individuals, families and communities. The women in this study have demonstrated their concern for issues related to poverty, violence, education, employment, housing and so on. They have specifically articulated the troubling nature o f these issues within the context of health for women, their families and communities in northern, rural and remote regions o f BC. They have much to contribute to understanding and responding to difficulties related to the social determinants o f health. Furthermore, they have much to offer in the development o f innovative health promotion and social change activities. Effective, practical and fitting social work practice that meets the unique needs o f northern, rural and remote communities can be informed and guided by drawing on the grassroots expertise and experience revealed through electronic strategies such as the WNN. It can offer ideas for concrete, substantive 120 processes and tools to promote social change through health promotion and to utilize the power o f ICT to build community engaged in action for social change. Future Directions: Women Leading the Way to Equitable IC T The following recommendations provide some suggestions for the future development o f ICT that will make it more effective and useful for women in northern, rural and remote communities. Also included are recommendations for the expansion o f women’s networks using ICT and the internet and specific recommendations for the Women North Network. Recommendations fo r IC T Policy and Practice Unequal and problematic access to and participation in ICT is related to other larger structural inequities in society. In order for ICT to contribute positively to women’s lives, there must be a commitment from governing bodies to develop and implement policy to ensure equitable access to and participation in ICT. Social work and other health promotion professions confront the unequal access to and participation in resources and benefits offered in society. It is imperative that ICT becomes a central and integral part o f those efforts. The following recommendations address issues related to these concerns. 1. Policy makers should recognize that the lack o f access to and participation in ICT impacts on all citizens and specifically women in northern, rural and remote communities. A lens should be developed and used to scrutinize existing and future policy and implementation o f policy to ensure that they provide for equitable and significant ICT access and participation. 2. Policy makers should also recognize that information and resources critical to women’s equal participation in society’s benefits are increasingly channelled through ICT. 121 Information about and access to social and health programs and services are more and more often provided through the internet. Women will benefit from policies, programs and services that ensure that they have access to these important benefits. This will be achieved by local, regional and provincial governance bodies putting the infrastructure in place that secures straightforward access to ICT and the means to gain the skills and expertise to use them effectively. 3. Social workers should recognize that ICT provides a dynamic means to empower and organize individuals and groups. By adopting the use o f ICT in their advocacy efforts, social work advocates and activists will increase their capacity to work with larger numbers o f people over larger regional areas on issues of common concern. This practice will begin shaping ICT as a tool for social development and social justice. 4. Social change efforts that include a focus towards advocacy for equitable access to the benefits o f ICT, and full participation o f all citizens in the future direction o f ICT, will strengthen larger social change goals. Challenging and breaking down the barriers to full participation in ICT provide new ways o f tackling those barriers and inequalities that result in many o f society’s injustices and ills. Recommendations fo r Expansion o f W omen’s IC T Networking Strategies The following recommendations are suggestions for existing or newly developing women’s networks that are considering using ICT to augment communication, information sharing and strategic organizing. 1. Women from diverse backgrounds, who have experienced oppression and unequal access to the benefits o f society, should have a lead role in ensuring that electronic strategies and the internet evolve; encompassing features that are welcoming and appropriate for them. 122 This will require that women from a wide range o f backgrounds have the opportunity to gain technical capacity, skills, knowledge and expertise in ways that are practical and functional in meeting their unique requirements. Furthermore, expansion o f electronic strategies should be targeted towards seeking out women from diverse backgrounds as partners and joining with organizations and other networks that are already working to build online communities o f women. 2. Electronic strategies such as online networks addressing health and social issues must include features o f the culture and values that are consistent with the communities of women that exist in real space. This can be achieved by including larger more diverse groups o f women, making it possible for them to connect with others who share their interests and concerns. When women find supportive relationships that engage them in duplicating and building on the communities that they value locally, they will build online communities and take action to effect change on a larger scale. 3. Concrete action engages women and provides them with a sense that taking time and attending to activities contributes to their lives in a positive way. Linking online community building efforts to local and regional community concerns and interests for women is critical. Action strategies using electronic means to connect communities of women must build along side o f local interests and concerns as well as build from local capacity. ICT provides powerful ways for women to connect and discuss approaches to deal with issues o f local and regional concern. That power should be utilized in flexible and creative ways to meet the specific and unique concerns for local communities. Approaches to action that are achievable in local communities will serve to include rather than alienate women in the process. 123 4. Access to up-to-date computers and high-speed internet may be problematic for women living in geographically and culturally isolated communities. Network expansion activities should be underscored with a focus on working with these communities o f women to hold local, regional and provincial governance bodies accountable to provide these necessities and to secure funding to remedy technological infrastructure issues. 5. Technology can increase the burden women experience if it means taking time and energy to learn how to use it effectively. Local, women-centred, face-to-face and online skills training that is available when and where women prefer is essential. This can be accomplished by implementing educational and training programs that are ongoing and adaptable to women’s existing capacity. In particular, programs should offer low or no cost drop-in sessions with child care services and accommodation o f such things as cultural, language and disability issues. Technical information must be meaningful and use every day language. Recommendations fo r Future Development o f the Women North Network Reliable, women-centred, up-to-date information and resources that are relevant and specific to issues o f concern for women in northern, rural and remote communities are available on The WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space and WNN Website and through the WNN Email News List. As women become aware o f and come to appreciate the value o f the network, it will develop into the place where women will gather in virtual space in northern BC. In order to achieve this, women from many communities and from a diverse range of backgrounds that are concerned with an array o f issues, need to be involved in and committed to the further development o f the WNN. As women join the network to gain valued information and connections, they will begin building relationships leading to a strong 124 community aimed a bringing positive political and social change to northern BC communities. The following is a specific list o f things that could he considered to move this network forward; 1. Strategies to expand the network should incorporate an emphasis on advocating for greater opportunities for women to gain more skills and expertise in using and influencing information and communication technology. An integral thread must he incorporated throughout all WNN activities that advocates for greater access for women. This fundamental goal o f the network will create positive change for women whose socio-economic status and lack o f educational opportunities prevents their participation. Furthermore, it will promote inclusion o f women in communities that do not have access to computers and internet and those who experience cultural and language harriers to ICT. 2. A woman funded specifically to coordinate the future development o f the WNN is vital. A paid coordinator would not only have the skills hut also the time to implement and further develop the recommendations made through this study. As a facilitator, she would work with others to create a process for including a diverse representation o f women in the network. In a leadership role, she would coordinate action strategies that are flexible and responsive to the expertise and capacity in local communities. Moreover, she would facilitate and moderate discussions, provide one-on-one support for WNN members and locate, train and support local designing women from a variety o f communities and with a diverse range o f backgrounds. 3. A diverse group o f designing women, to create, recreate and maintain the website and WehCT space will he integral to the further development o f this network. They would he 125 committed to maintaining up-to-date information and resources that enrich women’s lives. They would work with women both locally and regionally to become part o f the network. It would be ideal to have designing women in each community across the North. 4. The factors that sustain women in their everyday life, such as meaningful relationships, connection to community, concrete action to achieve positive change, fun and self-care must be duplicated through participation in the network. The spaces cannot remain static; they need to grow with a concern for and sensitivity to women’s evolving needs as a central focus. This will be accomplished as women participate more fully in developing the network. 5. Complex websites, large attachments and even the WebCT may be an obstacle for women using outdated computers and slow internet connections. The WNN should provide options for participation that are straightforward, clear, require minimum skills, and have no ‘bells and whistles’. This will ensure that women with basic skills, older computers, dial-up internet (slow telephone-line) connections and minimal access will have the opportunity to contribute and take part. 6. A range o f options or levels at which women may choose to participate, that corresponds with their purpose for being involved in the WNN, should be considered. Some may wish only to receive news items through email; others may want to participate as a group interacting only with one another (e.g., research or support group activities). Still others may want to interact with other women for personal, social or work-related support and use the space as a means to have fun and find information and resources related to their self care activities. It is essential that the online components o f the WNN emulate the ways that women currently use ICT daily. This may mean exploring the inclusion of 126 other ways to use ICT for networking such as: web logs^, instant messaging^ and publicly accessible online support groups. Limitations in the Spinning a Northern Web Study This study involved a small sample o f women engaged in using ICT and the WNN for a short period o f time. The results should be considered preliminary and caution used when making assumptions about generalizing to a larger population o f women or to specific groups o f women. Within the scope o f this study, it was not possible to explore in detail the distinctive issues of concern that are unique to specific groups o f women (e.g., First Nations women, women living in poverty, women with disabilities, older women, younger women, lesbians, refugee/immigrant women, and women as sole parent). Furthermore, this project did not seek to explore cultural or language barriers that complicate access to ICT. Finally, this study did not include women with limited access to technology or lack o f basic computer and internet skills. Therefore, it does not reflect access and participation issues for women who are unfamiliar with ICT or who have little or no access to computers and the internet. In order to arrive at a full understanding o f how ICT and the Women North Network can become truly inclusive and advantageous for all women in northern, rural and remote communities, these issues must be explored. The procedure for this study was complex and confusing for some o f the study participants. Some women suggested that beginning immediately on the WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space would have been helpful to them. Many found that the number of ®Also known as weblogs or blogs and is similar to a website, however, allows many users to add postings and is publicly accessible. ^ An internet-based real time service that allows text communication between individuals and offers an option that alerts the user when people on their contact list are online and available to chat. 127 email messages at the beginning o f the project was intimidating. The complexities that developed from numerous activities, instructions and tutorials also made it difficult for women who had gotten behind on things to catch up. Women felt pressured to contribute and to participate. Implications fo r Online Research It is critical that research conducted using information and communication technology include a component that looks at and comments on the process and implications for future online research (Mann & Stewart, 2000). Using the internet as a research tool has the potential to promote the participation o f people who in the past may be left out due to geographic location or other barriers related to their environment. Some may have been missed due to their marginalized position in society. Others may prefer to participate without having to interact face-to-face. Although online research does present difficulties related to disparities in skills and knowledge, equipment, software, internet speed, technical support, time resources and beliefs about the value o f ICT, its potential cannot be dismissed. Some specific issues related to online research are briefly discussed below: 1. Online research produces copious amounts o f textual data with no need to plan for transcription; however, organization o f the data requires meticulous downloading and saving to password protected files to ensure that all the textual information is considered, included and kept confidential. 2. Online research using procedures and methods that involve individuals participating daily on an ongoing basis and over an extended period o f time, requires a great deal o f effort and time on the part o f the researcher. The researcher should be prepared to be online frequently and consistently in order to be available to participants. This will require a full 128 time focus during the data collection process. A reliable computer and access to dependable high-speed internet are essential. 3. In order to mitigate technical problems that may occur whenever using technology, computers, and the internet, administrative technical support people through universities or other organizations should be willing to learn about online research. A specific person working with the researcher must have intimate knowledge and understanding o f the intent and procedure o f individual studies. It is critical that their solutions to technical problems are meaningful and do not have a negative impact on the research process. 4. When conducting online research, it will be important to have a clear, detailed plan about the level o f skill and the access required for research participants to be effectively involved in the project. A checklist o f specific skills, attitudes toward using email and the internet, current usage practices and availability o f reliable computers and internet access should be explored in detail through the recruitment process. A pilot test o f the project involving individuals with a range o f skills, computer and internet access, and from a variety o f backgrounds may provide valued insights into issues that could be explored through the recruitment process. This must be done within the framework o f remaining conscious o f who is excluded from the research when the criteria for participation are determined. 5. Research can be conducted effectively using email for short term focus group discussion. It is however, imperative that participants are prepared for multiple messages and perhaps even have detailed instructions on how to manage email messages. This could include directions for using subject lines effectively and organizing messages in folders on email according to date, topic or sender. 129 Recommendations fo r Future Research Implications for future research have been alluded to throughout my discussion o f the limitations o f this study and the recommendations that come out of it. Any future research will benefit from a detailed and comprehensive exploration o f the literature related to the “diffusion o f innovations” (Rogers, 2003, p. 11) that explores how some innovations are successful in becoming an integral part o f society. The following is a list o f specific recommendations and a brief explanation o f each: 1. Future studies involving First Nations women, women with disabilities, immigrant and refugee women, and other groups o f women who have historically been marginalized from society will reveal the specific and unique ICT related issues for women in a more focused way. Language and other cultural barriers should be explored. Recommendations and strategies for the future development o f ICT, the internet and networks such as WNN that are responsive to these issues are critical for the further inclusion o f women. The potential to engage in a process for making ICT and the internet more meaningful, useful and responsive to the larger social and political goals o f a broad range o f women will be achieved only through involving diverse perspectives. 2. Including a focus on how women can become a greater influence in the further development o f ICT must be a fundamental component for any future research related to women and ICT. Utilizing women’s passion for and commitment to social justice, health promotion, and social and political action towards change can assist in engaging a broad range o f women in this process. Areas that might be explored include women-centred training for girls and young women on internet and other ICT and considerable exposure to technology within the school curriculum. This kind o f research should be done with 130 the goal o f discovering how the internet and other technology can become useful and meaningful within women’s lived experience. 3. Community-based, participatory action research approaches will be critical to future research as women explore issues related to their use o f and involvement in the development o f ICT. The Women North Network has created a foundation for communicating and partnering with women from rural and remote communities across northern BC. This network can be a catalyst for bringing together community-based researchers and academic researchers who are interested in community driven goals for research focused on creating change. Collaboration to create strategies that address issues o f access to and participation in ICT and that influence the internet to reflect a diverse range o f women-centred values would become possible. The WNN provides an ICT framework to begin the exploration o f and implementation o f valued ways o f building online communities that will influence how the internet and ICT can benefit women in a meaningful, practical women-centred way. Conclusion Undertaken entirely in virtual space, this innovative project examined the potential o f information and communication technology as a means for women to organize themselves to address health and wellness concerns in northern, rural and remote communities. The direct voice o f participants provides an understanding o f what was practical, meaningful and supportive for these women while using the Women North Network online strategies. Their detailed account identified critical issues including the importance o f access to ICT infrastructure, training and skills as well as opportunities to replicate, in a virtual way, the supportive relationships and connections that they value in their local, physical 131 communities. A sense o f being a part o f an online community supports women in reaching out and connecting over a vast geographic area to take political and social action on the issues that they collectively believe will benefit them and their communities. 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Denzin & Y. S.Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook o f qualitative research (2"^ ed.), (pp. 435-454). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Steyaert, J. (2002). Inequality and the digital divide: Myths and realities. In S.F. Hicks & J.G. McNutt (Eds.), Advocacy, activism, and the internet: Community organization and social policy {p^.\99-2\2). Chicago: Lyceum Books. Sutton, J., & Pollock, S. (2000). Online activism for women’s rights. Cyber?sychology & Behavior, 3, 699-706. Retrieved January 18, 2005 from http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/10949310050191700 Sy, S. (2003). E-public participation: Setting the stage for success. In J. Sutton & S. Pollock (Eds.), E-quality fo r women, (pp. 14.1-14.9). Unknown: Womenspace. 140 Vancouver/Richmond Health Board. (2001). A fram ew ork fo r women-centred health care. Vancouver, BC, Canada; Author. Vimoche, M. E. (2001). Pink collars on the internet: Roadblocks to the information superhighway. W omen’s Studies Quarterly, 29, 80-102. Wilkinson, R. (1999). Putting the picture together: Prosperity, redistribution, health and welfare. In M. Marmot & R. Wilkinson, Social determinants o f health (pp. 256-274). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Winnipeg Consultation Organizing Committee. (1994). The strength o f links: Building the Canadian w om en’s health network. Retrieved May 26, 2003, from http://www.cwhn.ca/ARCHlVE/strength/index.html Wolcott, Harry F. (2001). Writing up qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. World Health Organization. (1978). Declaration o f Alma-Ata: International conference on prim ary health care, Alma-Ata, USSR, 6-12 September 1978. Retrieved February, 10, 2005 from http://www.euro.who.int/AboutWHO/Policy/20010827 1 World Health Organization. (1986). Ottawa charter fo r health promotion. Retrieved February, 10, 2005 from http://www.who.int/hpr/NPH/docs/ottawa charter hp.pdf Yin, R.K. (1994). Case study research: Design and methods (2"‘*ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Zuber-Skerritt, O. (2001). Action learning and action research: Paradigm, praxis and programs. In S. Sankaran, B. Dick, R. Passfield, & P. Swepson (Eds.), Effective change management using action learning and action research: Concepts, frameworks, processes, applications (pp. 1-20). Lismore, Australia: Southern Cross University Press. 141 Appendix A The WNN WebCT Online Gathering Space Icon that links to the Women North Network publicly accessible Website Q B ack ’ JÜ \ * X Icon that links to a list o f the WNN Women’s Profiles Message added in response to feedback from Spinning a Northern Web participants S e a rc h F a v o r tM ^ H&> Çjhttp;//w«bct.e V f - ^-1 |s « « c h ^ P o p UP a o d < « y # M y V « h < x ,i j O Y a h o o im l - 0 Shom nnj - |a ,n l n |# H a O o l K - »$ dm • tjGom« - » C TN ffM m C oori* C ow soM op L epO iit B B W IilB C N x rattèg a W o m e n N o rtl^ N e tm o r^ Pr^actA C M sif* ! 8 P * . Welcome Spinners T h is Is theX W om en N orth N etw ork O nline G a th e rin g S p ace. P le a s e click o n ’ ing a N orth ern W eb" below to find o u t m o re in fo rm atio n a n d re so u rc e s . You will find links to C is c u ssio n Forum Topics, R e se a rc h A ctivities, T u to ria ls a n d "How T o's" OÏOTÔ W o m en N o rth N e e v o rk W e k jit* : In T h e M ekinn A b o u t W o m en N o rth E m e il v itm n W o m en N o rth W eb C T N etw o rk p in n in g A N o rth e r n w e b Icon that links to the internal WNN Online Gathering Space email tool Icon that links to information and resources for Spinning a Northern Web Research Participants C 'is e u s iia n Icon that links to a page providing access to the various discussion topics including those which are private to the Spinning a Northern Web Research Study 142 Appendix B Check List for Spinning “Screening” Phone Interview Date:________ Time of Call:_________ Best Time/Day of Week to Call:_____ Participant Name: Age: Address: OK to leave message: Yes Phone: Fax: Email: Alternate Email: Internet Access: High Speed Dial Up Currently on WNN email list? If not, would you like to be put on? O No Participant understands that the purpose o f this project is to find out if the internet (using the Women North Network Email list, Website and WebCT Online Gathering Space) is useful for women in northern, rural and remote communities to work together to share information about health and wellness, to share resources and strategies and to organize to influence health and social policy CH Participant understands that participation requires 2 - 2.5 hours per week, at a convenient time for her, over a six week time period, likely beginning about the 2"‘^ week o f September and going to the end o f October CH Participant feels confident that she has the basic computer skills and internet experience required to participate - uses computer, email and internet regularly EH Participant has consistent access to a computer EH Participant understands that they will be part o f a Women North Network Email list where they will receive information about women’s health and wellness and have the opportunity to post information and comments. It is expected that they will be able to check email at least one or two times per day EH Participant understands that they will learn about and participate in the WNN Online Gathering Space - a private, password protected internet based space using the UNBC Distance Learning tool - WebCT EH Participant understands she will participate in discussion forums and other activities i.e.: chat forums, email, EH Participant understands that data collected in this study will be drawn from email communications, postings to discussion and chat forums, her feedback and observations o f the researcher. These will be downloaded and saved in password protected files on the researcher’s computer and only the researcher, her faculty supervisor and research assistant will have access to it. Any paper copies o f this information will be stored in a locked file cabinet in the researcher’s office. 143 O Participant understands that the information will be analysed by the researcher in consultation with a faculty supervisor. Participant information will be combined with the information received from others who participate in this study. What is learned about any participant’s experience will be reported in a final research report, academic journals or at professional conferences, but without information that could identify the participant as an individual. n Participant understands that she will be asked to provide feedback about her experience o f participating in the WNN through questionnaires and discussion forums [H Participant understands that there are no known risks associated with her participation. CH Participant understands that there will be no costs for her, nor will she be paid for her participation. n Participant understands that she may stop participation at any point in the study EH Is there’s anything else you’d like to tell me about yourself that you think might be relevant to your participation in the project? EH Does participant have any questions? 144 Appendix C Cover Letter for Participant Package S p in n in g a N o rth e rn P re je c t C h r i s t i n a M c L e n n a n BSW, MS W ( C a n d i d a t e ) September 14, 2004 (Participant Address) Dear (Participant Name); Welcome to the Spinning a Northern Web Research Project. Through your participation in this project, we hope to further develop the Women North Network in ways that are meaningful and valuable for women living in the North. Enclosed with this letter you will find the following: ■ Information Sheet ■ Informed Consent Form ■ Stamped, addressed envelope. As mentioned during our recent communications, before the project may begin, I must receive a signed Informed Consent Form back from you. Please read the Information Sheet and sign the Informed Consent Form and return it as soon as possible. The information sheet is yours to keep. Please send an email to: Informed Consent Form. saying that you have signed and sent the Once again, thank you for participating in this project. I look forward to working with you. Yours truly. Christina McLennan 145 Appendix D Information Sheet for Participants S p in n in g a N orthern W e b INFORMATION SHEET FOR PARTICIPANTS Study Title Spinning a Northern Web: Women Using Information and Communication Technology to Network fo r Health and Wellness A Thesis Research Project in the Social Work Program at UNBC Purpose and Goals The purpose o f this project is to find out if the internet (using the Women North Network Email list, Website and WebCT Online Gathering Space) is useful for women in northern, rural and remote communities to work together to share information about health and wellness, to share resources and strategies and to organize to influence health and social policy. The goal o f this study is to explore and describe: 1. What supports women in using the Women North Network? 2. What information and resources do women gain from the Women North Network online strategy that they can use in their work and in their day-to-day lives? 3. What makes using the Women North Network Email List and Gathering Space worthwhile? 4. What specific things about the Women North Network Email and Gathering Space prevent women from using it? 5. How the Women North Network supports women in moving their political and social action strategies forward. These questions will be explored entirely online using the Women North Network Email List and the Women North Network Online Gathering Space. Participant Task Requirements and Project Duration ■ You have been chosen for this research because you responded favourably to a poster or information sheet recruiting participants for this study. ■ Your participation in this project is entirely voluntary and you have the right to refuse to participate in any activity or respond to any question. ■ There are no known risks associated with your participation. ■ There will be no costs for you, nor will you be paid for your participation. 146 You have the right to withdraw consent and discontinue your participation at any point in the study. Participation in the project will require; 2 - 2.5 hours per week over a six week time period. Within that time framework and at a time that is convenient for you, you will be asked to: 1. Participate in the Women North Network Email list where you will receive information about women’s health and wellness and have the opportunity to post information and comments 2. Learn about and participate in the WNN Online Gathering Space 3. Participate in discussion forums and other activities that are decided upon by the participants and researcher as a group 4. Provide feedback about your experience o f participating in the WNN Anonymity/Confidentiality and Distribution o f Research Findings Your privacy and anonymity will be protected. All o f the researcher’s observations and all of the information you provide through email, discussion forums, questionnaires, chat discussions, and feedback will be compiled, downloaded and stored in password protected computer files on the researcher’s computer and will be removed from the WNN WebCT space at the end o f the six weeks. Any paper copies o f your responses will be stored in a locked cabinet in the researcher’s office until the project report is complete. You will be provided with an anonymous “Spinner” User ID and you will have the choice to participate in anonymous activities. The information will be analysed by the researcher. Your information will be combined with the information received by others who participate in this study. What is learned about your experience o f participating in the Women North Network will be reported in a final research report, academic journals or at professional conferences, but without information that could identify you as an individual. Once your information is “put into” the study, it can no longer be identified as yours. A final copy o f the research report will be sent to you by email and will be available for download from the Women North Network Online Gathering Space. A hard copy o f the report will be sent to you if you contact the researcher (contact information below). Information stored on the researcher’s computer or hard copies o f research information will be destroyed within 5 years, by permanently deleting files from computer and hard copies will be shredded. Preliminary findings will be provided to you for feedback via email throughout the project and a summary o f the research results will be available to you upon completion o f the study. 147 R esearcher an d Supervision Inform ation If you have any questions or comments or know someone who might like to participate in this project.... Please C ontact: R esearcher: C h ristin a M cLennan. Social Work graduate student at UNBC If you have any concerns about how this project is being conducted, you may contact: Thesis Supervisor Dawn Hemingway, Social Work faculty member at the University o f Northern British Columbia who can be reached at: or Vice President, Research, Dr. Max Blouw, at the University o f Northern B.C. t 148 Appendix E Informed Consent Form S p i n n i n g a N o r t h e r n \/\Jch INFORMED CONSENT FORM The purpose of an informed consent is to ensure that you understand the pnrpose o f the study and how you will be involved. Study Title: Spinning a Northern Web: Women Using Information and Communication Technology to Network fo r Health and Wellness A Thesis Research Project in the Social Work Program at UNBC Purpose The purpose o f this project is to find out if the internet (using the Women North Network Email list, Website and WebCT Online Gathering Space) is useful for women in northern, rural and remote communities as they work together to share information about health and wellness, to share resources and strategies and to organize to influence health and soeial policy. (More details are available on the information sheet). Task Requirements and Project Duration Participation in the proiect will require; 2 - 2.5 hours per week over a six week time period. Within that time framework and at a time that is convenient for you, you will be asked to: 5. Participate in the Women North Network Email list where you will receive information about women’s health and wellness and have the opportunity to post information and comments 6. Learn about and participate in the WNN Online Gathering Space 7. Participate in diseussion forums and other activities that are decided upon by the participants and researcher as a group 8. Provide feedback about your experience o f participating in the WNN Right to Withdraw You have been chosen for this research because you responded favourably to a poster or information sheet recruiting participants for this study. 149 ■ Your participation in this project is entirely voluntary and you have the right to refuse to participate in any activity or respond to any question. ■ There are no known risks associated with your participation. ■ There will be no costs for you, nor will you be paid for your participation. ■ You have the right to withdraw consent and discontinue your participation at any point in the study. Anonymity/Confîdentiality and Distribution o f Research Findings Your privacy and anonymity will be protected. All o f the information you provide through email, discussion forums, questionnaires and chat discussions will be compiled, downloaded and stored in password protected computer files on the researcher’s computer and will be removed from the WNN WebCT space at the end o f the six weeks. Any paper copies o f your responses will be stored in a locked cabinet in the researcher’s office until the project report is complete. You will be provided with an anonymous “Spinner” User ID and you will have the choice to participate in anonymous activities. Preliminary findings will be provided to you for feedback via email throughout the project and a summary o f the research results will be available to you upon completion o f the study. Researcher and Supervision Information If you would like to know more about this project, please contact researcher: Christina McLennan, Social Work graduate student If you have any concerns about how this project is being conducted, you may contact: Thesis Supervisor, Dawn Hemingway, Social Work faculty member at the University o f Northern British Columbia who can be reached at: or Vice President, Research, Dr. M ax Blouw, at the University o f Northern B.C. I have read the information sheet and consent and am willing to participate in this study as described. I am aware that I may discontinue my involvement whenever I wish. Date Name____________________________________Signature Address: _________________________________________ Phone: Email: 150 Appendix F Introductory Questionnaire S p in n in g a N orthern W e b Introductory Questionnaire I. In what ways do you currently use the internet (e.g., email, chat, instant messaging and/or browsing)? 2. In what ways do you use the internet to find out information about health and 3. In what ways to you use the internet to stay in touch with family and friends? 4. In what ways is the internet useful in your work? 5. In general, do you think that the internet and email are useful to you? Why or 6. What are some o f the things that make it easier or make it harder for you to use the internet? wellness? why not? 151 Appendix G Research Questions Posed in Phase 3 Five Research Questions from the Statement of Research Problem 1. What supports women in using the WNN? 2. What information and resources do women gain from the WNN online strategy that they can use in their work and in their day-to-day lives? 3. What makes using the WNN Email List and Gathering Space worthwhile? 4. What specific things about the WNN Email and Gathering Space prevent women from using it? 5. How does the WNN support women in moving their political and social action strategies forward? Five Research Questions Posed to Spinning Participants: The original questions were presented to participants within the context o f project to date as it had unfolded: 1. The original first research question is: What supports women in using the Women North Network? Through your participation in the Spinning a Northern Web project, you have experienced some o f the features o f the Women North Network - email, Website and WebCT Online Gathering Space. 1 would like to know what you like about being part of the Women North Network and what things you look forward to because you are a member o f the network. Any and all thoughts on this will be most appreciated! Your feedback on your experiences (and anything else you wish to share) will be very important in making recommendations on how the Women North Network will be further developed. 2. Here is the second research question that 1 would like you to discuss and/or respond to. I would prefer if you would answer/discuss this question using in the Discussion Forum: "Spinners Research Questions to Explore", however, if you would prefer you can respond directly to me by replying to the email message 1 sent to each o f you. This is the original research question: What information and resources do women gain from the Women North Network online strategy that they can use in their work and in their day-to-day lives? 152 What specific things do you find helpful in terms o f information and resources, that you have learned about since you became a member o f the Women North Network and when you became a participant in the Spinning a Northern Web Project. Examples o f the things 1 am talking about are: News items that are sent out by email Information and weblinks found on the Women North Network Website. Information etc on the Women North Network WebCT Online Gathering Space Profiles o f other women around the north Links to specific documents on things like poverty and violence against women “Search” tool to find specific things on various topics How To Library and Tutorial Learning more about things going on in other communities Anything else that provides you with new information, resources or ideas Also, please tell me any ideas you have about how we could be using the email, website and WebCT to share information, resources and ideas. 3. The third research question is: What makes using the Women North Network Email List and Gathering Space worthwhile? When I think about the things you have talked about over the past few weeks, 1 would like you to consider the following things when responding to this question. When you are on the Women North Network Email List you received a few email messages per week that give information on women’s health for example you receive the “Well” newsletter, information from Women’s Health Matters etc. The Spinning a Northern Web Email List with its many email messages was specific to the project, however, you also received the “news” items that 1 sent out on the Women North Network Email List. Currently, those news items are now being posted to the WebCT online gathering space. So with that in mind, please specifically identify what you feel are worthwhile about being on the Women North Network Email List, receiving a few news items a week. Then I would you to think about what specific things you feel are worthwhile about the WebCT Online Gathering Space. If you need any further information on this question please send me an email. 4. Here is the fourth research question. I think you have replied to the things about the email that you don’t like, however, if you have other comments please tell me about them. 1 still don’t have a clear picture o f what 153 prevents you from using either the Website or the WebCT Online Gathering Space. This can be things in your work or personal life, technological issues or just things that you don’t find particularly useful or attractive. Suggestions about how things are organized are also appreciated. Please respond to and discuss this question on this discussion forum or if you do not wish to reply in the discussion forum please respond directly to me by email. Here is the question; What specific things about the Women North Network Email List, Website and WebCT Online Gathering Space prevent women from using them? 5. Thanks for your feedback and discussion on the research questions so far. As with the other questions I hope that you will consider answering in this WebCT Discussion Forum, however if you do not want to do that, please reply to the email message with your response. The fifth question that this research project asks is: How does the Women North Network support women in moving their political and social action strategies forward? Specifically identify ways that you see women in northern BC using the Women North Network to work together to address health and social issues and to support one another in doing that. If you have been participating in the “Spinners Taking Action” Discussion Forum and Live Chat Sessions please reflect on your experience when responding. If you have not been able to participate in the Taking Action activities, please reflect on the ways that you think the Women North Network Email List, Website and WebCT Online Gathering Space could be used to connect women on common issues and provide your thoughts, feelings and feedback on that.