Evaluating users’ perceptions of the digital doorway: a narrative analysis

Abstract

This paper contains a report on the uses, expectations and gratifications experienced by the users of digital doorways. The researchers adopted a grounded theory approach in their analysis of 200 narratives collected from the users. The stories and the comments in the narratives were categorized according to the macro domain to which they pertained as well as the uses, expectations and gratifications of the users. Once the categories had been saturated, the researchers conducted a quantitative analysis of the findings. It showed clearly that the majority of the respondents reported usage that pertains to learning and school work. This need proved to be stronger than the need for game playing. The short-term dimension of the required educational support eclipses the more future-oriented/idealistic responses. The study postulates the theory that in access-deprived and information-poor communities the need for short-term educational solutions over-rides any other informational need.