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Researching GCAP's e-advocacy in 2007

New - April 2008 - GCAP Websites report

The GCAP Websites report is the outcome of project that was formalized between the GCAP E-Communications Group and the University of Wolverhampton’s Statistical Cybermetrics Research Group.
This report aims to describe GCAP websites users and the network as a whole. It does this by exploring relationships between website attributes, user groups and users’ behaviour. It presents insights into the factors that impact online mobilization, so e-campaigners can reflect on the findings and come up with their own innovations, solutions and campaign fixes. Download the report

Through a formal partnership between GCAP’s E-Communications Task Force and the University of Wolverhampton, we are undertaking a GCAP-wide study of e-activism. This research project presents an opportunity to better understand our online user's needs, improve our e-campaigning and contribute to research about non-profit outreach. 

A needs assessment was sent out in early September and an online survey is being conducted from November till the beginning of December 2007.  The needs assessment solicited participation from representatives of approximately half of GCAP’s 60 websites.  In total, over 70 separate interests were expressed. These interests were groups into a number of common themes, including user demographics, interests, motivations and participation with GCAP; online marketing; e-advocacy; website quality and usability; content quality; and user's campaigning background.  Moreover, the research component is examining relationships between website credibility and participation.

Data is being collected through a blend of hyperlink analysis and an online user questionnaire.  Due to budget limitations, the questionnaire is only available in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. However, other languages are welcome provided website operators can help translate the questionnaire.

This investigation is part of a PhD thesis with the University of Wolverhampton's Statistical Cybermetrics Research Group and Business School.  It is being conducted by Brian Cugelman, who co-authored the GCAP websites evaluation in 2006, and who brings 10 years of e-campaigning experience to the project.  Representing academia, he is a member of GCAP’s E-Communications Task Force.

To protect rights and confidentiality of all participants, a partnership agreement outlines ethical guidelines for this research project. In summary, each individual will be informed about this project’s aims so they may provide informed consent. Each national coalition will be provided a full copy of their data, but not data from any other coalitions.  The aggregate findings will be published in a final report.  At a technical level, SSL security is being used on the survey to ensure secure treatment of data.

Participation is voluntary and is open to all GCAP coalitions with a web presence.  It will only require a small investment of time and effort.  If you have any questions or wish to confirm your participation, please contact Brian Cugelman at b.cugelman@wlv.ac.uk.

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