Measuring Connections and their Society-Wide Impact
Our connections with the world around us shape the bonds we forge with ourselves, with others, and with the society we inhabit. Assessing our level of engagement becomes pivotal in gauging the depth of our connections in our daily lives and within our broader community. The Wellness Revolution delves into an array of engagement patterns and habits, encompassing online behaviour, music, reading, and social media tendencies. It then extends its focus to the realms of employment, business, and their applications across various industries.
As the fabric of society, connectivity is the binding glue that is measured in public health data to convey how the engagement that occurs in society impacts the health and wellbeing at a societal level. The Wellbeing Revolution provides insight into the different means of tracking our engagement habits and explores a range of public health measuring tools that are used to assess connectivity and engagement at a societal level.
Ecomaps are a simple tool that allow us to establish who is important to them and their network. Like genogram as discussed in week 8, an ecomap is a structured and visual way to show an individual’s support network and their relationships with them. Genograms are often incorporated into ecomaps to provide a more detailed view of family relationships and history. Ecomaps are valuable tools for visualizing and assessing a person's or family's social support network, strengths, and challenges. They help professionals and individuals better understand their social environment, which can inform intervention strategies and decision-making processes.
Ecomaps
Several technologies and methods are available to track online behaviour, both for individuals and organizations. These technologies are commonly used for various purposes, including marketing, user experience optimization, cybersecurity, and research. The specific data measured varies depending on the tools and platforms used and the customization and configuration options chosen by website owners and marketers.
Cookies are small text files that websites place on a user's device. They store data about the user's interactions with the website, including login information, preferences, and browsing history and are often used for tracking user behaviour and personalizing content. Heatmap technology visualizes user interactions with a website by highlighting where users click, move their cursors, or spend the most time to help businesses understand user engagement and optimize website design. Session recording tools record users' interactions with a website or app, allowing organizations to replay user sessions and analyse how users navigate and interact with their digital products. Organizations can track user behaviour by logging IP addresses for security purposes and can be employed to detect suspicious activity or for geolocation-based services. Advertisers use tracking technologies such as pixels and conversion tags to monitor user interactions with online ads. This helps assess the effectiveness of ad campaigns and target specific user segments.
Tracking Online Behaviour
Web Analytics Tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, and Matomo (formerly Piwik) are widely used to track website traffic and user behaviour. They provide insights into user demographics, page views, click-through rates, and more. User Behaviour Analysis Tools go beyond simple traffic statistics and provide in-depth analysis of user behaviour, including user flows, conversion funnels, and event tracking. Tools like Mixpanel and Kissmetrics fall into this category. Behavioral targeting uses data collected on a user's online behaviour to deliver personalized content, ads, and recommendations. This can be achieved through cookies, user profiles, and algorithms.
Web Analytics
Many social media platforms provide built-in analytics tools that allow users to track their activity. These tools provide insights into metrics like engagement, reach, likes, shares, and comments. Users can view data on the performance of their posts and profiles. Platform analytics use this data to generate reports and insights that can help users, businesses, and content creators make informed decisions about their social media strategies, content creation, and audience engagement efforts.
Platform Analytics
Several third-party analytics tools and software are available for tracking social media habits across multiple platforms. Tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, and Sprout Social offer comprehensive analytics and reporting features for businesses and marketers.
Third-Party Analytics Tools
Some browser extensions and add-ons, such as StayFocusd or RescueTime, can track the time spent on social media. They often provide reports and can help users manage their online habits.
Browser Extensions
Social media refers to online platforms and websites that allow users to create, share, and interact with content and connect with other users. These platforms encompass various services and features, such as social networking, content sharing, messaging, and more. Some popular social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Snapchat, among many others.
Social media habits can be tracked through various methods and tools, often for different purposes, including personal insight, marketing analytics, or research.
Tracking Social Media Habits
Many mobile apps are designed to help users monitor their social media usage. These apps can track screen time, set usage limits, and provide reports on app and platform usage. Brands and organizations often use social media monitoring services like Brandwatch, Mention, or Talkwalker to track mentions, hashtags, and sentiment related to their brand or topics of interest.
Mobile Apps and Media Monitoring
For more advanced tracking and data collection, developers can use social media APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to access and analyse data. Data scraping techniques can also be employed to collect public data from social media platforms.
API's & Data Scraping
Some parental control and monitoring apps are designed to help parents track and manage their children's social media usage for safety and time management purposes.
Parental Control & Monitoring Apps
TV viewing habits can be tracked through various methods, both traditional and modern. Cable and satellite TV providers often use set-top boxes to collect viewership data. These boxes can track which channels are being watched, when they are being watched, and for how long. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video collect extensive data on what users watch, when, and how often they watch. This data is used to suggest content and make programming decisions. Smart TVs can collect data on viewing habits. This data is usually used to recommend content to users based on their past viewing preferences. Data from various sources (such as set-top boxes, smart TVs, and streaming platforms) is often aggregated and analysed to provide a more comprehensive view of TV viewing habits.
Networks and research firms sometimes conduct surveys and questionnaires to gather information on TV viewing habits. This may include questions about Favorite shows, viewing times, and streaming habits. Nielsen is a well-known company that uses panels of viewers and set-top boxes equipped with tracking technology to collect TV viewership data. These panels represent a sample of households, and the data is used to estimate the viewership of TV programs and commercials. Some TV networks and streaming services offer mobile apps that track what users are watching. Users can opt-in to allow tracking and receive personalized content recommendations. Some apps and services use content recognition technology to identify what is displayed on the TV screen. This can help track viewership even when traditional tracking methods are not used.
Information collected about TV viewing habits can vary depending on the tracking method and technology. The specific data collected can vary widely among TV providers, networks, and streaming services, and privacy policies should be transparent about what data is being gathered and how it will be used.
Tracking TV Viewing Habits
Measuring media usage involves tracking how much time and in what ways individuals consume various forms of media, including television, radio, the internet, social media, and more. Researchers often use surveys and questionnaires to collect self-reported data on media usage. Participants are asked to recall their media consumption habits (such as hours spent watching TV, listening to the radio, or using social media platforms).
Media research companies like Nielsen, comScore, and Kantar Media provide detailed data on media usage patterns, audience demographics, and advertising effectiveness. They use a combination of surveys, panel data, and metering technology to gather information. Nielsen ratings and similar systems measure television viewership and provide data on which TV shows are the most popular and when they are watched. Online streaming platforms also track user engagement with content, providing data on which shows and movies are trending. Researchers in academia and market research firms study media usage habits using the abovementioned methods. These studies aim to understand trends, preferences, and the impact of media consumption on individuals and society. Other methods of tracking media usage include:
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Time-Tracking Apps: Several mobile apps and software tools are designed to help individuals track their screen time and media usage. These apps can provide detailed information on the time spent on specific apps, websites, or devices. Users can set goals for reducing screen time and receive reports on their media consumption patterns.
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Web Browsing History: Web browsers and internet service providers often collect user browsing history data. This data can include information about the websites visited, the visits' duration, and the visits' frequency. While this data can be useful for analysing online media consumption, it raises privacy concerns and may require user consent.
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Content Providers and Streaming Services: Many streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, offer features that allow users to view their watch history and the amount of time spent on the platform. This data helps users monitor their consumption and discover new content.
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Digital Wellbeing Tools: Major tech companies like Apple and Google have introduced digital wellbeing tools on their devices. These tools give users insights into screen time, app usage, and notifications, allowing them to set limits and manage their media consumption.
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Wearable Technology: Some wearable devices, like smartwatches and fitness trackers, have features that can track screen time and media usage. These devices can monitor how often users interact with smartphones and other devices.
Measuring media usage is essential for understanding how individuals interact with media content, which can affect public health, marketing, and content creation. The choice of measurement method often depends on the specific research or personal goals and the type of media being studied.
Tracking Media Habits
Tracking music consumption patterns involves a multifaceted approach that utilizes various methods and data sources. Music industry organizations like Billboard and IFPI compile charts and reports that track music consumption trends, encompassing top-selling albums, most-streamed songs, and revenue generated by the music industry. In tandem, researchers and music industry professionals employ surveys and questionnaires to gather self-reported data on music consumption, delving into participants' listening habits, preferred genres, and the devices they use. Academic researchers contribute to this landscape by conducting in-depth studies that employ a combination of methods, including surveys, interviews, and rigorous data analysis. These studies tackle intricate topics like the impact of streaming services on music consumption.
While physical music sales have seen a decline, digital downloads and online music store purchases remain instrumental in gathering music consumption data. Sales figures and download counts continue to serve as indicators of song and album popularity. Simultaneously, radio stations and music charts diligently compile data on the songs gracing the airwaves. Airplay data constructs music charts and offers insights into song popularity, sometimes coupled with listener surveys to gauge preferences. Meanwhile, concert attendance and ticket sales data offer valuable insights into the artists and bands attracting substantial audiences, providing a window into fans' deep engagement with live music events. In the digital realm, YouTube plays a significant role by revealing music video popularity through view counts, likes, comments, and shares. Artists and record labels can access YouTube Analytics for more detailed and nuanced data.
In the streaming era, platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music are at the forefront of music consumption data collection. They meticulously track users' music preferences, monitoring the songs, albums, and playlists users engage with while observing habits such as track skipping and listening session durations. This wealth of data contributes to personalized music recommendations. Users' profiles on these streaming platforms offer glimpses into their listening history and Favorite tracks, while user-generated playlists shed light on music preferences and consumption patterns. Public playlists provide a broad overview of trends and popular music selections.
Music recognition apps like Shazam also empower users to identify songs by "tagging" them, thus contributing to insights about popular tracks and emerging artists. Music discovery apps and websites, such as Pandora and Last. Fm, employs users' listening history to curate playlists and recommend new music. Meanwhile, services like Nielsen SoundScan track sales and streaming data to compile music charts, presenting comprehensive information on song and album performance in the market. Furthermore, music recommendation algorithms deployed by streaming platforms employ machine learning and user behaviour analysis to suggest new music based on listeners' preferences.
By harnessing this diverse array of methods and data sources, the music industry, researchers, and artists can gain profound insights into music consumption patterns, emerging trends, and audience preferences. This wealth of information serves as the foundation for shaping effective marketing strategies, fine-tuning music production, and enhancing the overall music listening experience for audiences worldwide.
Tracking Music Habits
Measuring reading, audiobook, and podcast consumption patterns involves a diverse range of methods and data sources that collectively paint a comprehensive picture of how people engage with these mediums. Self-reported data plays a crucial role in this endeavour, with surveys and questionnaires serving as valuable tools. Participants willingly share insights into their consumption habits, shedding light on how often they read, listen to audiobooks, or tune in to podcasts. These surveys delve deeper, revealing preferred genres and the devices people favour for their literary and auditory journeys.
Traditional publications and broadcasters are not left behind in the quest to track consumption patterns. Newspapers, magazines, and publishers diligently collect data on readership, meticulously recording metrics like page views and reader engagement. On the podcast front, broadcasters carefully monitor download statistics, episode listens, and the demographics of their listenership. Simultaneously, academic researchers dive into the subject, deploying a mix of methods that include surveys, interviews, and content analysis. Their studies uncover intricate aspects of reading preferences and even explore how audiobooks contribute to literacy. Turning the spotlight to books and audiobooks, sales figures and download counts offer a direct glimpse into their popularity. Bestseller lists and sales rankings provide valuable insights into which titles captivate the most attention. Meanwhile, libraries, both physical and digital, serve as treasure troves of data regarding the borrowing and checkout patterns of books and audiobooks. The data they amass paints a vivid picture of the titles that are most sought after by eager readers.
The voice of the audience is also heard through reviews and ratings posted on platforms like Goodreads, Audible, and podcast directories. These user-generated insights illuminate preferences and satisfaction levels, guiding others in their choices. Subscription-based services like Kindle Unlimited and Audible contribute to the data pool by offering information about the specific books and audiobooks that subscriber’s access. These services often curate content recommendations based on users' reading history, adding a personal touch to the reading experience.
In today's digital age, technology plays a pivotal role in data collection. Reading apps, audiobook platforms, and podcast apps diligently record user behaviour. They track not only which books, audiobooks, and podcasts users engage with but also the duration of their interactions and whether they complete them. Streaming services for audiobooks and podcasts, such as Audible and Spotify, gather extensive data on the titles users stream or download. They even monitor listening durations and keep an eye on user-generated playlists that showcase individual preferences. Social media platforms are hubs of discussion and engagement related to books, audiobooks, and podcasts. Through mentions, shares, likes, and comments, these platforms provide invaluable data on the extent to which these mediums captivate and resonate with audiences. User profiles on reading and podcast platforms serve as dynamic canvases, displaying an individual's reading history or listening history. Public playlists and curated lists of recommended books, audiobooks, or podcasts offer a glimpse into broader consumption patterns and preferences. Furthermore, podcast creators and hosting platforms leverage analytics to track a plethora of listener metrics, including episode downloads, play duration, geographic distribution, and listener demographics.
By harnessing this diverse array of methods and data sources, a comprehensive understanding of how individuals engage with reading materials, audiobooks, and podcasts emerges. This wealth of information forms the cornerstone for shaping content creation, refining marketing strategies, and enhancing the overall consumer experience, ensuring that these literary and auditory pursuits continue to enrich the lives of people worldwide.
Tracking Reading, Audiobook & Podcast
CRM, which stands for Customer Relationship Management, is both a technology and a strategy businesses employ to manage and analyse interactions and relationships. CRM systems and practices are strategically designed to assist organizations in enhancing their services, streamlining processes, and closely monitoring interactions, including employee behaviour, employer behaviour, and direct exchanges such as sales.
One of the primary functions of CRM systems is to store and organize customer contact information, encompassing names, email addresses, phone numbers, and other pertinent details. This centralized database of customer data empowers businesses with a comprehensive overview of their clientele. Additionally, CRM tools often come equipped with features that facilitate process management, enabling teams to prioritize their efforts efficiently. Furthermore, many CRMs offer automation capabilities, allowing businesses to create and oversee campaigns while tracking customer responses.
Crucially, CRM systems provide a suite of tools for the comprehensive analysis of data, performance metrics, and the effectiveness of engagement. These analytical insights enable data-driven decision-making and help gauge the success of various business activities. Moreover, CRM systems possess the flexibility to seamlessly integrate with other core business systems, such as email platforms, e-commerce platforms, and accounting software. This integration ensures that customer data remains consistent and up to date across all organisation functions. In today's mobile-centric world, many modern CRM systems offer mobile apps and responsive interfaces, empowering employees to access customer information and update records while on the move.
In summary, CRM systems represent indispensable tools for organizations striving to establish and nurture robust relationships, optimize operational efficiency, and ultimately elevate their competitive edge in the market. CRM strategies are deeply rooted in understanding customer needs, delivering personalized experiences, and cultivating enduring customer loyalty.
Tracking Work - CRM
Business analytics tools are software applications and platforms designed to collect, process, analyse, and visualize data to help organizations make informed business decisions. These tools leverage data from various sources, such as databases, spreadsheets, and external data streams, to provide insights, identify trends, and support data-driven decision-making processes. They measure information about sales and revenue, profit margin, customer engagement and satisfaction, marketing effectiveness, information about inventory and the supply chain, operations and efficiency, website and online presence, human services, customer support and service, risk management, e-commerce and online sales, product and service performance and social media and online engagement, providing holistic information about a business’s operations and performance.
Business Analytics Tools
Universal Health Records (UHRs)
Universal Health Records (UHRs), also referred to as Electronic Health Records (EHRs) or Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), are comprehensive digital repositories containing an individual's lifelong health information. They are designed for easy accessibility and sharing among healthcare providers, institutions, and locations, aiming to enhance healthcare services' quality, efficiency, and coordination. UHRs prioritize data security and interoperability, ensuring only authorized healthcare professionals and patients can access these records. Patient portals within UHRs empower individuals to manage their own health records, including scheduling appointments and communicating directly with healthcare providers.
The fundamental purpose of Universal Health Records is to provide healthcare providers with a comprehensive and precise understanding of a patient's complete health history, regardless of where or when care is delivered. This comprehensive view yields tangible benefits, including improved patient outcomes, reduced test redundancy, better-informed medical decision-making, and enhanced care coordination among diverse healthcare professionals. UHRs align seamlessly with the principles driving the Wellness Revolution, reflecting a patient-centric, integrated approach to healthcare that continues to evolve and transform the industry.
Cerner (United States)
EPIC Systems (United States)
European Health Records (European Union)