Methodological Challenges of Digital Divide Measurements

The term “digital divide” has been used for almost a decade and typically relates to sociodemographic differences in the use of information and communication technology. However, the corresponding measurement is still relatively imprecise. Very often it is simply reduced to comparisons of Internet penetration rates. This article extends the measurements above the usual bivariate comparisons. Within this context, three essential approaches are presented and critically evaluated. First, loglinear modeling is used to address the interactions among the factors affecting the digital divide. Second, compound measures (i.e., the Digital Divide Index) that integrate a number of variables into a single indicator are discussed. Third, time-distance methodology is applied to analyze changes in the digital divide. The article argues that these approaches often yield entirely different conclusions compared to simple bivariate analysis. The examples are presented as a general warning against an oversimplified methodological approach to digital divide studies.     

数字鸿沟的本质解析

随着社会信息化的推进,数字鸿沟问题日益凸显,严重影响了和谐社会的构建,要想从根本上弥合数字鸿沟就必须剖析其本质。数字鸿沟本质上是由技术、经济、知识和社会4个层面构成的综合性的差距。在技术层面上,它反映了不同主体在接入新兴信息技术方面存在的差距,是新兴信息技术普及过程中出现的＂技术鸿沟＂;在经济层面上,它反映了国际国内经济不平等和贫富差距在信息时代的延续,是信息时代经济发展进程中出现的＂经济鸿沟＂;在知识层面上,它反映了不同群体使用新兴信息技术获取和利用信息资源方面的差距,是信息主体获取和利用信息资源过程中出现的＂知识鸿沟＂;在社会层面上,它反映了信息社会的阶层分化和社会分化现象,是信息社会不平等导致的＂社会鸿沟＂。

Abstract：

With the development of social informatization,the digital divide problem figures increasingly prominently and affects the construction of the harmonious society seriously.In order to close the digital divide fundamentally,it＇s necessary to anatomize its essence.Digital divide is essentially a comprehensive gap which consists of factors in the technical,economic,knowledge and social aspects.In technical aspect,it reflects the differences among different agents to get access to new information technologies,and it＇s the ＂technological gap＂ which appears in the popularization process of new information technologies.In economic aspect,it reflects the international and domestic economic inequality and the continuation of polarization of poor and rich in the information age,and it＇s the ＂economic gap＂ which appears in the economic development process in the information age.In knowledge aspect,it reflects the differences among different groups to use new information technologies to obtain and utilize information resources,and is the ＂knowledge gap＂ which appears in the information resources acquisition and utilization process by information agents.In social aspect,it reflects the stratum differentiation and social differentiation in the information society,and is the ＂social gap＂ caused by the inequality of the information society.     

数字鸿沟弥合的若干思考

数字鸿沟是全球范围内数字生态的内在失衡;是由地域、教育水平和种族不同的群体在掌握和运用电脑、网络等数字化技术上存在的差距;是传统的国际和国内经济的不平等和不平衡、传统社会分化现象在新时代下的延续的一种表现形式,需要引起各国政府的高度重视。     

“数字鸿沟”与我国企业文化的系统分析

"数字鸿沟"不仅是宏观问题,更是体现在企业信息化差距的微观问题.本文从企业文化角度出发,采用系统分析方法,将企业文化分为3个结构体系:物质文化、行为文化和精神文化,并通过这3个结构体系研究企业"数字鸿沟"产生的原因,最后提出企业跨越"数字鸿沟"需要在企业营造一种相互信任、始终学习、开放融合、主动创新、灵活应变和人本精神的企业文化.     

Gaps and Bits: Conceptualizing Measurements for Digital Divide/s

Three arguments are raised in this article with regard to the indices used to measure the digital divide. First, I criticize policymakers who rely on simplistic measures of the digital divide, at the expense of a thoughtful analysis of (1) the purpose of the tool, (2) the level of observation, and (3) the method of approaching the data. Second, I argue that networks and associated technologies are not neutral artifacts but are political and social spaces in their structure as well as in their content levels. Accordingly, we need to factor in the context as an important actor in conceptualizing and measuring the digital divide. Third, two general types of indices are used for the measurement of the digital divide(s): focused monotopical indices and comprehensive indices. Monotopical indices are more widely available, while comprehensive ones are rare. I argue that policymakers need to promote comprehensive indices over monotopical indices. Finally, I present a conceptual definition of the digital divide and a framework for developing a comprehensive index to measure it.     

Gaps and Bits: Conceptualizing Measurements for Digital Divide/s

Three arguments are raised in this article with regard to the indices used to measure the digital divide. First, I criticize policymakers who rely on simplistic measures of the digital divide, at the expense of a thoughtful analysis of (1) the purpose of the tool, (2) the level of observation, and (3) the method of approaching the data. Second, I argue that networks and associated technologies are not neutral artifacts but are political and social spaces in their structure as well as in their content levels. Accordingly, we need to factor in the context as an important actor in conceptualizing and measuring the digital divide. Third, two general types of indices are used for the measurement of the digital divide(s): focused monotopical indices and comprehensive indices. Monotopical indices are more widely available, while comprehensive ones are rare. I argue that policymakers need to promote comprehensive indices over monotopical indices. Finally, I present a conceptual definition of the digital divide and a framework for developing a comprehensive index to measure it.     

A Critical Analysis of Current Indexes for Digital Divide Measurement

Several composite indexes grouping several variables into a single figure have been proposed for measuring the digital divide. In this article, the authors analyze shortcomings of extant indexes. Using multivariate analysis tools, they show that in the definition of composite indexes it is possible to individuate a limited set of more influencing and significant variables. This finding suggests the possibility of replacing some redundant variables with other dimensions that include other aspects of the digital divide that are not considered in extant measures.     

国外二级鸿沟研究综述

目前,国外学界对二级鸿沟问题的研究十分关注,已取得不少研究成果.文章对国外围绕二级鸿沟展开的相关研究进行了总结,具体包括二级鸿沟的提出过程、二级鸿沟的含义,二级鸿沟的形成原因及解决措施等,并分析了二级鸿沟的研究意义.     

我国数字鸿沟的社会效应分析

数字技术在给我们带来诸多便利的同时,也带来了新的不平等和新的社会分化,这就是数字鸿沟.数字鸿沟对社会产生的影响即是数字鸿沟的社会效应.教育鸿沟、性别鸿沟、城乡鸿沟是其3个主要方面.直接影响着经济社会的和谐发展.     

基于数字鸿沟与教育鸿沟的高校馆读者信息素质塑造冷思考

本文作者从普通高校图书馆践行信息教育职能的实际情况出发,在分析了数字鸿沟、教育鸿沟产生的原因及负面影响后,指出了图书馆在填充高等教育鸿沟工程中的重要作用,并阐述了几项切实可行的操作方法,供业内人士参考、商榷。     

Digital Divide and Caste in Rural Pakistan

This study examined how caste influences adoption of information and communication technologies. It entailed a survey of 2750 farmers, who were interviewed in person, in rural Punjab (Pakistan), and two different methods for data analysis—data mining and indices-based statistical analysis. The analysis shows digital divides at the caste level. Furthermore, it shows that old and new technologies diffuse differently among castes.     

我国数字鸿沟的空间表现及原因分析

文章介绍了数字鸿沟的概念,用GIS软件表现出我国数字鸿沟空间差距并给予相应的分类,分析了我国地区间和城乡间数字鸿沟的具体体现,并对产生这种数字鸿沟的原因给予相应的具体分析。     

全球数字鸿沟现状分析

信息技术在全球得到广泛应用的同时，也在全球产生了数字鸿沟。本文分析了各个区域之间和各个国家或地区之间的数字鸿沟，指出不同区域、不同国家或地区之间存在明显的数字鸿沟。     

利用政府竞争情报解决数字鸿沟问题的若干思考

随着经济社会的发展和新技术利用程度的差异,欠发达地区在信息资源的获得和利用方面与发达地区存在很大的差距,从而阻碍了欠发达地区的经济发展。欠发达地区政府要充分认识到解决数字鸿沟的重要性,分析数字鸿沟产生的原因,开展竞争情报工作缩小与发达地区的数字鸿沟,促进本地区经济社会发展。     

A Multidimensional Analysis of the Disability Digital Divide: Some Evidence for Internet Use

Over the last few years, information and communication technologies have become an essential part of daily life, affecting education, employment, and leisure, among other activities. Nonetheless, many individuals still reap few or no benefits from these technologies, and there are resilient gaps in their use. Within this larger context, the authors examine the Internet digital divide between people with and without disabilities from a multidimensional approach. Rather than analyzing the gap in terms of “haves” and “have-nots,” a range of Internet-related dimensions—affordability, motivation and attitudes, skills, usage, and others—is taken into account.     

我国区域"数字鸿沟"的实证研究

“数字鸿沟”已经成为网络时代全球性的问题，主要表现为不同群体利用互联网进行各种活动的差距。本文主要运用指数法对2004年我国网络可接入性、网络利用、网络意识、网络外部环境4个一级指标和11个二级指标进行分析，来对我国区域“数字鸿沟”进行实证研究。结果表明，东部沿海地区的网络化水平指数明显高于中、西部地区。北京、广东、上海、浙江、江苏的网络化水平指数位居前列，而西藏、青海、海南、内蒙古、贵州则处于相对落后的位置。网络化水平指数的差距正是我国区域间“数字鸿沟”的体现。     

影响美国数字鸿沟的因素分析

不仅美国不同区域之间和各州之间存在数字鸿沟问题，而且在美国城乡、不同种族、不同年龄、不同家庭类型、不同教育水平和不同收入水平的家庭之闻都存在数字鸿沟问题。     

基于投入产出视角的区域数字鸿沟成因分析

目前区域数字鸿沟形成原因的研究主要集中在成因因素的确定上,而忽视了这些因素在数字鸿沟形成过程中作用发挥程度的差异.基于投入产出视角,引入生产理论分析,发现区域数字鸿沟的成因有两个:一是"数字化"生产要素投入数量差异造成区域要素投入不足或冗余,二是"数字化"生产效率差异造成区域要素生产潜力发挥程度的不同.综合应用因子分析、线性回归和DEA方法对我国区域数字鸿沟成因进行实证研究,所得实证结果与理论分析相一致.研究表明,要快速高效地弥合区域数字鸿沟,必须在生产效率最大的前提下,增加"数字化"生产要素投入数量.     

统筹城乡发展背景下重庆市城乡数字鸿沟及其影响因素的实证研究

本文构建了城乡数字鸿沟的测度指标体系,对重庆市2003-2014年城乡数字鸿沟及其影响因素进行了实证分析。研究发现重庆市的城乡数字鸿沟整体上呈现不断扩大趋势。经济因素、城乡居民受教育程度的差异以及地理、制度因素等是城乡数字鸿沟的重要影响因素。文章提出了相应的对策措施以弥合城乡数字鸿沟,促进城乡统筹发展。     

中国如何填平数字鸿沟

文章提出了数字鸿沟的有关问题，介绍了什么是数字鸿沟以及它的现状，介绍了发达国家解决这一问题的方法，并探讨了如何在中国填平数字鸿沟。