A Case Study of Sociability Aspects in Cancer Community Web Portal
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Abstract
Background: The emergence and expansion of social networking sites and online communities has allowed people to socialize and connect with each other regardless of geographical constraints. Active participation of the members of a community is an important factor in the success of an online community.
Objectives: This research applies Preece’s (2000) sociability guideline of “people, policy and purpose†to produce a prototype of a cancer web portal with social features.
Methods: We studied the social interactions among members of a cancer support group in Penang, Malaysia. A preliminary study was conducted by observing the community’s activities and interviewing selected members (n=7). We then proposed a technical solution to meet this particular cancer support community’s needs. Specifically, we proposed adding an “event management module†to the prototype to encourage sociability among members. The sociability aspect of the event management module proposed was measured by usability framework. Usability testing (n=15) was conducted using cognitive walkthrough, think aloud and interview techniques.
Results: i) Preliminary study results showed that the reasons cancer patients and survivors join the support group is to get more friends, share their experience, exchange information and to motivate each other, all of which increase the quality of their life. The group members stated that participation of members in events or group activities is important in increasing social interaction and communication among group members. Preliminary results also showed that the cancer support group met two of Preece’s (2000) sociability factors, people and purpose. The group has a strong relationship among its members, who have their own ideas about the purpose of the group. However,the group did not have any formally estabished policies. Since group members are connected in the real world and not virtually through an online network, they are not concerned with policies.
ii) Usability testing results gathered from the data collection showed positive feedback. Members report that if they were alerted about community events, they would participate in the event, thus sociability among members would be increased. The participants agreed that the proposed technical solution (the event management module) was useful for their community’s sociability needs and use.
Conclusion: This group is a real-world community and has no online presence. The outcome from the preliminary study found that participation in group events and activities increases social interaction among members in the group. The event management module is proposed as a technical solution to be embedded in a cancer web portal. Usability testing found that a majority of participants agreed that it would be a useful tool for encouraging sociability.
Objectives: This research applies Preece’s (2000) sociability guideline of “people, policy and purpose†to produce a prototype of a cancer web portal with social features.
Methods: We studied the social interactions among members of a cancer support group in Penang, Malaysia. A preliminary study was conducted by observing the community’s activities and interviewing selected members (n=7). We then proposed a technical solution to meet this particular cancer support community’s needs. Specifically, we proposed adding an “event management module†to the prototype to encourage sociability among members. The sociability aspect of the event management module proposed was measured by usability framework. Usability testing (n=15) was conducted using cognitive walkthrough, think aloud and interview techniques.
Results: i) Preliminary study results showed that the reasons cancer patients and survivors join the support group is to get more friends, share their experience, exchange information and to motivate each other, all of which increase the quality of their life. The group members stated that participation of members in events or group activities is important in increasing social interaction and communication among group members. Preliminary results also showed that the cancer support group met two of Preece’s (2000) sociability factors, people and purpose. The group has a strong relationship among its members, who have their own ideas about the purpose of the group. However,the group did not have any formally estabished policies. Since group members are connected in the real world and not virtually through an online network, they are not concerned with policies.
ii) Usability testing results gathered from the data collection showed positive feedback. Members report that if they were alerted about community events, they would participate in the event, thus sociability among members would be increased. The participants agreed that the proposed technical solution (the event management module) was useful for their community’s sociability needs and use.
Conclusion: This group is a real-world community and has no online presence. The outcome from the preliminary study found that participation in group events and activities increases social interaction among members in the group. The event management module is proposed as a technical solution to be embedded in a cancer web portal. Usability testing found that a majority of participants agreed that it would be a useful tool for encouraging sociability.
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