Análisis de los determinantes intermedios de la salud

Supportive evidence to the researcher’s analysis of the available data was acquired from five people who provided accounts and views on their own experience of learning in their community, as well as confirmation of ‘real’ identity and its connection to anonymity in the community. Interviews were conducted face-to-face, or using Skype communication software, where they were recorded and later transcribed. Participants saw the transcript, and were asked if they wished to add any comments. Although the interviews were semi-structured with the researcher outlining topics of conversation as much as possible, their format was an informal conversation. The outline of these interviews is available in the appendices to this study. This gave the interviewee latitude to move freely within the topic taking advantage of the informality that Murchison (2010) says “can be an avenue to more ‘realistic’ accounts by informants” (p.104).

Because the auto-ethnographic methodology allowed the researcher to share personal community experiences with the interviewees, the discussion between each interviewee and the researcher revealed the connection of the interviewee’s own self- direction in learning and the social interaction of the community. This discussion included: how they were introduced to the culture of the community when they were new members; what other communities they had joined; and the value they placed on what they learned.

Selection of Communities

According to Barbour (2000), qualitative research usually aims to reflect the diversity within a given population. In this study, a triangulation method was used to achieve diversity in the subject groups, by centring on two distinct communities which use different software and their only commonality being the forum format. Both communities were located from a Google search for communities related to topics to which the researcher had a strong connection. It was a requirement of the study that the researcher understood the nuances of the domains of the communities, in order to evaluate any meaning that was created in them. Topics searched included ships and shipping, drafting embroidery designs, science fiction, history, classic films, travel, genealogy and horse management.

Both communities that were eventually selected: (i) inarguably satisfied Wenger’s description of a community of practice; and (ii) met the requirements of this study in that they had no associations with workplace, educational or professional institutions.

The shipping community

This shipping community connects people who work at sea or have worked at sea, with emphasis on the merchant marine. It also has many members who have an interest in maritime events or who join to ask mariners specific questions relating to genealogy and other shipping research. Whilst membership is global, the community is based in the United Kingdom and English is the language of choice. It is a very large community with over 90,000 registered members, although a much smaller number are active. It has over 50,000 threads. Records show that it has nearly 750,000 posts which have been viewed over 50,000,000 times. This community focuses on the sharing of sea experiences, and relating those experiences to discussions about shipping history and news, and other relevant maritime topics.

As is typical of forum communities, conversations are organised around subheadings that reflect the interests of the community. These include: sections on news; research on ships and shipping life; shipping companies; sea roles; and specific types of ships as well as cruising and shipping history. There is also a sub-forum for controversial or politically incorrect discussions; another to assist members using technology to submit images and videos; and another to assist with other technical issues. Other sub-forums contain interactive quizzes and games, including a very long trivia exchange. This site also has a large archive of images and a wiki which is used to share resources about shipping.

Site rules state that all members are welcome but in reality, the community has a distinct hierarchy where full membership is only granted to those who have sea experience. Members share experiences, stories, and views on current shipping. Discussion can be quite argumentative but generally is not aggressive. However, if respect for sea experience is challenged, this can change. There are sections of the site set aside for non-seafarers to locate maritime information connected to genealogy research. In addition, there are sub- forums for information about historical events related to shipping, and particular ships, as well as geographical connections to shipping. Any member can ask questions and generally receive detailed explanations from seamen. Posters in threads can be very practical when discussing some aspects of sea life, or quite emotional when discussing others, and certain topics can be very controversial.

The John Ford community

This community evolved when a small group of people with a passionate interest in the films of American director John Ford came together to explore their understandings of the meaning and artistic value of Ford’s films. The Ford community consists of approximately 60 members who have posted on two different sites related to classic films. Because the discussion occurs throughout both sites, it is difficult to count the numbers of posts and threads but it would be at least several thousand posts and more than a hundred threads, many of which are very long. The first forum tends to start new threads for different aspects of the discussion then archive them. The second forum maintains long threads about Ford and connected subjects, such as actors who appeared regularly in his films, and discussions can start in any related thread which are then maintained over long periods of time. Several members also write their own blogs that are regularly, if not entirely, devoted to John Ford or his film connections.

The Ford community is an inner group of two larger sites which are not devoted to Ford but to classic films. Neither site maintains a John Ford sub-section, so members create threads in sub-forums that are relevant to Ford. One site is a large forum attached a United States television company site that specialises in classic movies but it is not governed or moderated by the company. The Ford group developed within this site, as a result of the posting of numerous threads and discussions about Ford, amongst a group of about 40 posters. The second site, also devoted to classic movies, was developed when a significant number of Ford posters and a few others were disturbed by confrontational aspects of the first forum, particularly by some contentious posters, who aggressively disputed the group’s enthusiasm for Ford.

Although the second site is also about all classic movies, the Ford group is by far the most active. This site regularly invites authors and people connected to classic films, particularly Ford, to describe their experiences. Posters transit conversations and ideas between these sites, acknowledging both in their discussions. In addition, some key members hold moderating positions in both forums. Approximately 50% of the posters in the Ford group post in both forums and the other half post in only one, however, they usually indicate that they read both.

Members who have developed an interest in Ford have come from a variety of sources. Some had a connection to the film industry and cited understanding Ford as relevant to their associations. Some had a lifetime interest in classic films; some had a specific interest in western film history. A number had seen Ford films on television or at film festivals or read books on cinegraphic history and joined conversations to expand their knowledge; others had studied Ford in either community or tertiary education institutions. Others had lurked in other forum communities which also discussed Ford films but elected to participate fully in this community.

Selection criteria for communities

The communities chosen were required to satisfy the criteria developed by the researcher. Table One: Selection Criteria for Communities

Criteria John Ford Community Shipping Community

Communities are based around a public forum software application where asynchronous written communication is the prime means of interaction is through the forum.

Both sites of this community are based around forum software. The first is software developed by site owner. The second is powered by open-source phpBB software.

The community is around Vbulletin, a commercially developed forum software.

Communities have existed for an extended period.

The Ford Community commenced within the initial forum in 2005 and developed the second site in 2007.

The site has existed since the development of Vbulletin software in 2004 at the start of the Web 2.0 period.

Communities do not require members to be associated with institutions or organisations.

The first site is attached to a commercial classic movie channel but registration requires no connection to site owner. Membership is completed by recording some details for communication purposes, together with a user name and is not moderated.

The second site was started by members of the first site who had issues with combative posters on the first site. Registration is also through a user name and completion of some details. Some limited moderation applies where recognised aggressive posters from the first site are not accepted.

The site is independent of any other group. It was started by some retired seamen to communicate globally with other mariners. Registration is by completion of a membership request. The site does not moderate member requests.

Communities have a domain topic familiar to the researcher, so she was able to recognise the genesis of meaning.

The researcher has a detailed knowledge of Ford films and publications related to Ford.

The researcher has an in-depth knowledge of historical shipping and historical shipping connections.

Communities actively engaged in extended discussion and analysis of the topic

Many of the posts were over 1000 words long, containing extensive analysis of aspects of Ford films.

Many of the posts were more than 500 words long. They contained highly technical content, and views as well as signposted resources.

The communities also needed to satisfy Wenger’s understanding of what constitutes a community of practice.

Table Two: Wenger’s Criteria of a Community of Practice

Wenger’s Criteria John Ford Community Shipping

A community of practice has an identity defined by a shared domain of endeavour Membership implies a commitment to the domain.

The Ford community has a very specific view of the artistic value of the films of John Ford. It is very focused on artistic interpretation and active posters are expected to support that aspect of Ford’s work.

The shipping community facilitates communication between seamen, particularly those who have served in the merchant marine. Connections to sea experience are an essential qualification for members to be full participants in all conversation.

Members of the community engage in shared activities, help each other, and share information with each other. They build relationships that enable them to learn from each other.

Forum communication is written but members have created relationships through acknowledging ties to Ford, recognising each other’s strengths and communicating lifestyles and background in their posts.

The site is focused on connections between seamen, including relating very personal experiences; personal acknowledgements of others experience and outside activities; and recognition of sea going status, and the hierarchy associated with these roles.

These criteria are summarised from Wenger (1998 cited in Cox (2005)) as defining the requirements of a community of practice Table Three: Requirements of a Community of Practice

Criteria COP Domain John Ford Community Shipping

1. Sustained mutual

relationships harmonious or conflictual.

Mutual engagement

The discussion has continued for more than ten years, exploring nuances of his films and frequently referring to previous conversations. This is not always harmonious, hence the development of two sites.

The community is more than ten years old. Many posters have over 5000 posts. Posters recognise each other’s histories and comment on backgrounds and previous ideas.

2. Shared ways of engaging in doing things together.

Mutual engagement Joint enterprise

The software and forum rules, as well as written format, define both the nature of communication and actions as a community.

The software and forum rules, as well as written format, define both the nature of communication and actions as a community.

Criteria COP Domain John Ford Community Shipping

3. The rapid flow of information and

propagation of innovation.

Mutual engagement

Threads of interest can create a flurry of posts. Views and new posts lead to further ideas and development of meaning.

Threads can develop very quickly with arguments and tangents to discussions all together as the conversation continues. A controversial topic had 1000 posts in a week.

4. Absence of introductory preambles, as if

conversations and interactions were merely the continuation of an ongoing process.

Mutual engagement Shared repertoire

Conversations continue without new introductions, often in same threads even after a long period. Members understand community meaning without introduction in each post.

Members often use real identities and understand each other’s sea roles without explanation. Members create detailed profile pages to explain their sea identities.

5. Very quick setup of a problem to be discussed.

Mutual engagement Shared repertoire

Members rarely provide background to film plots or instances of Ford’s life. Assumptions are made about each other’s understandings of Ford.

Participants expect members to understand nuances of seamen’s lives, rankings, companies, connections and ship types.

6. Substantial overlap in participants’ descriptions of who belongs.

Mutual engagement

Members have a very clear perspective of Ford as an artist and reject any efforts to contradict this view.

Sea connections are a requirement of the full membership privilege of influencing meaning.

7. Knowing what others know, what they can do, and how they can

contribute to an enterprise.

Mutual engagement Joint enterprise

Understanding other member’s roles and connections to other sites are important to conversations. Members do not explain key points but often acknowledge them.

The key to full membership is sea experience and once this is known it is always credited in conversations.

8. Mutually defining identities.

Mutual engagement

The creation of identity in these communities where anonymity is the norm is an issue of discussion in the study

The creation of identity in these communities where anonymity is the norm is an issue of discussion in the study

Criteria COP Domain John Ford Community Shipping

9. The ability to assess the appropriateness of actions and products specific tools, representations, and other artefacts.

Shared repertoire Members have tacit understanding of appropriate language, grammar and levels of familiarity.

Members have a form of behaviour that is equated to sea life; what is said in public (in front of passengers); what is appropriate in closed forums; what is appropriate for ranks.

10. Specific tools,

representations, and other artefacts.

Shared repertoire Members are all aware of films, plots, actors and books on Ford and have understandings about them which do not have to be reiterated in every post. Members can readily navigate quite complex posting patterns.

Members have knowledge of sea life, major tools, shipping societies, shipping companies and how to locate these items without the need for detailed guidance. Requiring an explanation of these immediately bars someone from full membership 11. Local lore, shared stories,

inside jokes, knowing laughter.

Shared repertoire Members know Ford’s history and connections and share certain aspects of his life and films without recounting.

Members share the sea experience and understand its nuances of that way of life.

12. Jargon and shortcuts to communication as well as the ease of producing new ones.

Shared repertoire All members know film titles, actors and references to locations by short terms and nick names. Plots need no explanations. They all know resources by abbreviated names.

Members understanding of sea terms, and nuances between them is important to communication. Knowing specifics is also important to gaining full participation.

13. Certain styles recognised as displaying membership

Mutual engagement

Member’s tacit understanding of unwritten rules on behaviour and communication are essential including appropriate expression, and grammar.

Full members have the ability to know what is appropriate for public and closed forums, particularly to language and Internet abbreviations.

14. A shared discourse reflecting a certain perspective on the world.

Mutual engagement

The perspective of Ford as an artist is an essential requirement to membership and influences all communication.

A connection to the sea, particularly merchant marine is essential for full membership.

Selection of threads

The threads in each community that were used in analysis were chosen in the communities using these criteria.

Table Four: Selection of Threads

Criteria Ford Shipping

Length 25 or more posts. 25 or more posts3_.

Posters 5 or more separate posters in