What is a Framework and how do they help find the story in the data?

Before Information Technology a framework was the skeleton of a building or object, something around which the finished product could be built. But, over the last 30 years the term framework has expanded into a much wider range of situations, embracing conceptual structures and procedural models. It is this wider concept of frameworks that is of value in helping find the story in the data. Examples of well-established frameworks include: Software framework, a collection of programs and rules to allow new software to be added to an existing system, or for a system to be created from libraries and established practices. Legal framework, a set of laws and procedures. Local planning framework, an overview of how a geographic area is going to be developed, including the aims, rules, and presumptions. Conceptual framework, a set of theories that within the framework are accepted and allow the field to be developed. It is also worth mentioning a couple of specific methods that include the terms Framework: Framework Analysis. A method of analysing qualitative data, i.e. an alternative to Grounded Theory. Logical Framework Analysis. A method/tool for planning and implementing projects. Why do we need a framework approach to finding the story? Some […]

Ray Poynter

My Predictions for 2016

Despite Nobel prize-winning physicist Niels Bohr’s advice that ‘Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future’, here are my predictions for 2016. 1) Bigger Legal Problems for Google and Facebook This year has shown an escalation in problems for Google, Facebook and other major players. European Governments seem to be getting into their stride, Governments as diverse (and repressive) as Turkey, Russia, and China are putting obstacles in the way of the hegemony that has been created by the major platforms. One judge in Brazil took WhatsApp away from 90 million users for 48 hours with a bang of his gavel. I think this will get more common in 2016, firstly with more fines, secondly with more restrictions, and possibly with jail sentences. These altercations will have implications for people using cloud services, the free flow of data internationally, and probably on the options for marketing to and speaking with people. 2) Automation The big push is (and always has been) for Cheaper, Faster, Better, but in most cases the real winners are cheaper and faster and good enough (to borrow a phrase from Zappistore’s Stephen Phillips). How do you achieve cheaper, faster and good enough? Automation! Expect to see […]

UK researchers help Ted Cruz harvest data from unaware Facebook users

The Guardian website has a long article that looks at how Ted Cruz has utilised a UK company, and work done by UK academics, to harvest data from tens of millions of Facebook users without their knowledge. Ted Cruz is using this information to support his US Presidential campaign, but for market researchers the key aspects of the story relate to how the data was gathered, its massive potential for insight, but mostly for its ability to create massive damage to the reputation and standing of research – and the threat to privacy. The key technique used to gather the information was to include in a survey a request to access the survey takers’ Facebook information. This request in itself only supplies a small amount of information, but the request also allows the researchers access to the friends of the survey taker, without the permission of these ‘friends’ – this boosts the reach from thousands to tens of millions. These friends of the survey takers are not asked if their information can be used and are not told it is being harvested and deployed. The key phrase here is that the people whose data is being harvested and used for various […]