Normalization Process Theory

From theory to 'measurement' in complex interventions: Methodological lessons from the development of an e-health normalisation instrument

by Frances Mair

Co-authored with:  Tracy L Finch, Catherine O'Donnell, Elizabeth Murray and Carl R May

Abstract (provisional)
Background
Although empirical and theoretical understanding of processes of... more Abstract (provisional)
Background
Although empirical and theoretical understanding of processes of implementation in health care is advancing, translation of theory into structured measures that capture the complex interplay between interventions, individuals and context remain limited. This paper aimed to (1) describe the process and outcome of a project to develop a theory-based instrument for measuring implementation processes relating to e-health interventions; and (2) identify key issues and methodological challenges for advancing work in this field.

Methods
A 30-item instrument (Technology Adoption Readiness Scale (TARS)) for measuring normalisation processes in the context of e-health service interventions was developed on the basis on Normalization Process Theory (NPT). NPT focuses on how new practices become routinely embedded within social contexts. The instrument was pre-tested in two health care settings in which e-health (electronic facilitation of healthcare decision-making and practice) was used by health care professionals.

Results
The developed instrument was pre-tested in two professional samples (N = 46; N = 231). Ratings of items representing normalisation 'processes' were significantly related to staff members' perceptions of whether or not e-health had become 'routine'. Key methodological challenges are discussed in relation to: translating multi-component theoretical constructs into simple questions; developing and choosing appropriate outcome measures; conducting multiple-stakeholder assessments; instrument and question framing; and more general issues for instrument development in practice contexts.

Conclusions
To develop theory-derived measures of implementation process for progressing research in this field, four key recommendations are made relating to (1) greater attention to underlying theoretical assumptions and extent of translation work required; (2) the need for appropriate but flexible approaches to outcomes measurement; (3) representation of multiple perspectives and collaborative nature of work; and (4) emphasis on generic measurement approaches that can be flexibly tailored to particular contexts of study.

IRWIN's Exhibition Was Ist Kunst and Foucault's Concept of Normalization

by Julie Niemi

This paper will examine Michel Foucault’s theory of power, specifically the notion of Normalization, in relation to... more This paper will examine Michel Foucault’s theory of power, specifically the notion of Normalization, in relation to the communist and post-communist era artist collective IRWIN. I will examine the work by Slovenian artist collective IRWIN and their concept of ‘retro-principle’ as an avenue to understand expressive freedom and transitioning notions of normality in the communist and the contemporary post-communist landscape. 

Erweiterte Fallstudien zu Verwandtschaft und Reproduktionstechnologien. Potenziale einer Ethnografie von Normalisierungsprozessen

by Stefan Beck

Co-authored with Michi Knecht, Maren Klotz, Nurhak Polat;
In: Zeitschrift für Volkskunde, 107, 2011/1, pp. 21–47

Evaluación Normativa de la Revista Interamericana de Bibliotecología

by Zaida Chinchilla-Rodríguez

Chinchilla-Rodríguez, Zaida. Evaluación Normativa de la Revista Interamericana de Bibliotecología. Revista Interamericana de Bibliotecología, 23 (1-2): 1-31, enero-diciembre 2000

This paper deals with verifying the extent to which the Interamerican Librarianship Journal complies with the... more This paper deals with verifying the extent to which the Interamerican Librarianship Journal complies with the national-and-international rules about formal presentation of journals. And it emphasizes the importance of the editorial, scientific committees in the process of bibliographic control. It is also produced and adapted the evaluation model proposed by Emilio Delgado Lopez-Cózar and Rafael Ruiz Pérez. This normative analysis allows detecting which formal formal edition problems the journal has. The result is a proposal of corrective measures that would guide the journal to an optimum-normalization
situation according to national-and-international standards.


El objetivo es comprobar cuál es el grado de ajuste de la Revista Interamericana de Bibliotecología respecto de las normas nacionales e internacionales de presentación formal de publicaciones periódicas y se hace hincapié en la importancia de los comités editorial y científico en el proceso del control bibliográfico. Se reproduce y adapta el modelo de evaluación propuesto por Emilio Delgado López-Cózar y Rafael Ruiz Pérez. Este análisis normativo permite detectar cuáles son los desajustes formales de edición que presenta la revista. El resultado es una propuesta de medidas correctoras que llevarían a la revista a una situación de normalización óptima según los parámetros nacionales e internacionales.

Journalists, social media, and the use of humor on Twitter

by Avery Holton

Co-authored with Seth C. Lewis, University of Minnesota. Published in the Electronic Journal of Communication, 2011.

At a time when news organizations are struggling to grab the attention of audiences in a media-saturated environment,... more At a time when news organizations are struggling to grab the attention of audiences in a media-saturated environment, social networking sites (SNS) have created novel opportunities for journalists to connect with followers online—raising questions about how types of social media use might be associated with forging greater connection with users. Just as satire has proven a potent force for attracting audiences to fake news TV programs, it’s reasonable to consider that humor might be an emerging tool for connection in social media spaces where journalists increasingly conduct their work. Through a content analysis of more than 22,000 tweets (or microblog posts), this study examines the extent to which the 430 most-followed journalists on Twitter are using humor—and how such use is associated with other forms of engagement on Twitter. Findings indicate that a journalist’s use of humor is closely associated with sharing opinion and personal life details, and engaging in interpersonal discussion. Moreover, the use of humor is positively related to a journalist’s level of activity on Twitter, suggesting that journalists who become more accustomed to this social space are more apt to adopt its milieu of informality, conversation, and humor. Finally, journalists from less elite news organizations tend to use humor more frequently. These and other findings are discussed in light of challenges facing the journalism field as it negotiates questions of participation and professionalism in digital media spaces.