e-Social Science
emerging research and agendas
On this page
Video Task Query Report - report by Blair Willems and Jack Grigg
About e-Social Science
e-Social Science is where the social sciences meet Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Grid computing technologies. Using these technologies social scientists are able to:
- Link to existing data base resources situated in different geographical locations across the globe;
- Conduct large-scale integrated comparative analyses;
- Conduct large-scale surveys using electronic questionnaires disseminated, completed and returned through the Internet;
- Work in virtual laboratories linking up various research teams on a worldview network, facilitating them to collaborate and create something that is different to the sum of their individual knowledge.
e-Social Science is joining other scientific disciplines using similar technologies and is seen as part of e-Research and e-science.
e-Social Science is a growing phenomenon, emanating from the need of today’s Knowledge Society/Economy and driven by its ability to create and transfer vast quantities of data across the globe.
Projects
Building Collaborative Research Capabilities in Virtual Research Environments
The research is designed to advance our understanding of the social interactions and collaboration capabilities entailed in the application of innovative technologies such as Access Grid (AG) and other Video Conferencing (VC) systems. It builds on work previously funded by BRCSS and REANNZ to further elaborate our understanding of how to support collaborative e-Research using AG and other VC and data sharing technologies. The findings of the current work has shown a growing awareness to the use of KAREN based technologies for collaborative e-Research, however, the findings also indicate that application of these strategies requires further development in terms of optimising the potentialities of the technologies.
Collaboration Capabilities in Access Grid Environments
This is a joint project between SSRC and HIT Lab NZ (Human Interface Technology Laboratory New Zealand), funded by REANNZ (Research and Education Advanced Network New Zealand Ltd). It aims to develop high quality video conferencing with the international research community, using the KAREN (Kiwi Advanced Research and Education Network) high speed internet infrastructure. This will promote the use of KAREN, establish awareness and enable effective use of the network.
The role of virtual technologies in creating new forms of knowledge
This BRCSS project explores new research methods and analytic tools designed for computer-based information distribution, like advanced video conferencing and high-speed internet connectivity.
Impacts of ICTs on Work and Communities
This research programme is funded by FRST for 2003-2008 and is a joint Waikato University and University of Canterbury project. It explores aspects of the relationship between work and community use of ICTs, including analysis of Government policies on connecting communities and digital divides. David Thorns is responsible for research on on-line workers and the relationship between ICT and community development, which has led to a number of publications.
Winners and Losers in the Knowledge Economy/Knowledge Society
This Marsden Fund project aims to create new, theory-driven definitions and measures of the size, composition and effects of New Zealand’s ‘Knowledge Society’. It intends to explore the linkages between innovation, new technologies and the levels and nature of human capital involved in knowledge societies. It is concerned with the ways in which inequalities are both created and sustained in knowledge societies. The project will run for three years from April 2005 and is being undertaken at the University of Canterbury by Professor David Thorns in Sociology and Anthropology, with Professor Les Oxley and Dr Ken Carlaw in Economics.
Publications
Department Of Economics, College Of Business And Economics, University Of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
The Knowledge Economy/Society: The Latest
Example of “Measurement Without Theory”? (PDF, 419 KB)
by Les Oxley, Paul Walker, David Thorns, and Hong WangAshton, H. (2003) Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) as resources for community development: What is being done? What is their potential? Social Science Research Centre, University of Canterbury, Working Paper 2, ICT and Community Series.
Ashton, H. and Thorns, D.C. (2004) 'Information Communications Technologies (ICTs) - to make or break community?' Future Times v4 pp6-8.
Ashton, H. and Thorns, D.C. (2007) 'The role of information communications technology in retrieving local community' City & Community v6 i3 September 2007 pp211-229.
Carlaw, K, Oxley, L, Walker, P, Thorns, D, and Nuth, M. (2006) 'Beyond the Hype: Intellectual Property and the Knowledge Society/Knowledge Economy' Journal of Economic Surveys v20 i4 September 2006 pp633-690.
Ianko, K. 'e-Social Science Development' Social Science Research Centre, University of Canterbury.
Peacey, B. (2002) Socio-Economic Impact of ICT. Egovernment at the local level - a discussion paper. Social Science Research Centre, University of Canterbury, Working Paper 1, ICT and Community Series.
Conference Papers/Reports
2008
Music beyond location (PDF, 230 KB)Producing remote collaborative sessions (PDF, 250 KB)
2007
Allan, M. and Thorns, D.C. Access Grid Environments as Spaces of Mixed Spatial Interaction.Allan, M. and Thorns, D.C. Access grid and Video Conferencing as Real Life simulations.
Oxley, L. and Thorns, D.C. Exploring the Knowledge Economy/Society. Paper presented at the Social Policy and Evaluation Conference, Wellington, April 2007.
Thorns D.C. eResearch Australasia, conference report, Brisbane, June 2007.
Thorns D.C. Report from the Foundation Conference for the International Data Forum.
2006
Thorns D.C Creating E-Research Communities: The Aotearoa/New Zealand National Project.Leonard, L. and Thorns, D.C. On-line workers working from home. Paper presented at the Sociological Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (SAANZ) Conference, Hamilton, November 2006.
2005
Spoonley P. and Thorns D. Innovative Networking: A National Social Science Network in New Zealand.
Links
AVCC (Advanced Video Conferencing and Collaboration NZ)
BRCSS (Building Research Capability in the Social Sciences network)
eResearch Australasia (2007 conference)
KAREN (Kiwi Advanced Research and Education Network)
NCeSS (National Centre for e-Social Science UK)
NZSSN (New Zealand Social Statistics Network) - Data archive project based at the University of Auckland
Third International Conference on e-Social Science (2007)
Wiki
Blog
Interact site