EMTECH-LESSON14
Topic: Research for Content in Social Advocacy
INTRODUCTION
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been a great help in the development of the information age. It played a
big part in the innovation and integration of different technologies that brought social changes.
Social Change is defined as the alteration of mechanisms characterized by changes in cultural symbols, rules of behavior, social
organizations or value systems. (Encyclopedia Britannica).
TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIAL ADVOCACY
Advocacy as defined by Merriam-Webster is the act of supporting a cause or proposal: the act or process of advocating.
Today, the adaptation and improvement technologies can now serve as a platform for solving local and global issues through
advocacy. These include solving gender equality, economical, agricultural and industrial problems, government accountability
and transparency, educational dilemmas, crimes, religious conflicts, climate change and more.
In terms of ICT usage, one of the most used by the people today is the Social Networking sites or simply Social media. It is the
collective online communication channel dedicated to community input, interaction, content, sharing and collaboration.
Since it caters a wide range of possible user interaction, social media is broadly used to connect and communicate with the
global community. For that reason, social media can also be used to address advocacy online.
ICT Projects range from community improvement to larger economic development. Around the world, there are a wide variety of
projects that incorporate the use of ICT for improvement. Projects for the communities are products of research before
implemented. These undergo with the process of inquiry, investigation and deep analysis for the needs of assessment.
RESEARCH FOR CONTENT
Research is essential whether you love it or hate it because there is a real urge for it. Everyday, we undergo different problems
and dilemmas in life and find their solution. Sometimes it is hard and takes time when research is needed.
According to Western Sydney University, “Research is defined as the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing
knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings. This could include
synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcomes.”
On the other hand, Research skills are our ability to find an answer to a question or a solution to a problem. Research skills also
include the ability to gather information about the topic. We have to review that information, analyze and interpret the
information in a manner that brings us to a solution.
Research makes you wiser on the decisions you make in life and gain more experiences, and a set of knowledge as you go
through different findings and conclusions during the process of research. To be exact, the more research you conduct the more
things you can do in life. That is why research is a must in delivering innovation, integration, promotion and to build change to a
society or community.
With this, learning the basics of research skills are essential for the 21st century in making life more convenient and smarter.
Theses consists of identifying the current trends, demands, working formats, as well as the popular authors and topics. All the
relevant information may help you in your research study.
As part of the research for content in Social Advocacy, it requires several aspects to be taken into account. One of these is the
proper background research of your proposed ICT project by translating your own made concept paper into an infographic. In
creating your ICT project, it is also important to take consideration about your targeted audience that is why audience profiling
must be done.
AUDIENCE PROFILLING
Audience profiling is the process of defining exactly who your target audience is by unifying and analyzing their behaviors across
multiple platforms and touchpoints (Steve Klin, 2018). In this project, you need to consider the demographics and
psychographics of your intended audience.
TERMS DEFINITIONS
Demographics One of the methods in audience profiling that defines not only the population of your audience but also
the work that they do. It also tells where they live, their gender, age, income level, religion, ethnicity,
education level, and knowledge level.
Psychographics Classification of people according to their personal characteristics, lifestyle, attitudes, social class,
aspirations, values, tastes, activities and interests and other psychological criteria.
You can only effectively reach your target audience when you really comprehend both of their demographics and
psychographics. The amalgamation of information you get from there will be your stepping stone for making them involved and
to get their interest about your proposed ICT project.
