On approaches to the study of social issues in computing

ABSTRACT

This paper identifies and analyzes technical and nontechnical biases in research on social issues in computing. Five positions—technicism, progressive individualism, elitism, pluralism, and radical criticism—which reflect major streams of contemporary social thought are examined. The analysis of positions documents the close relationship between research and policy formation and reveals the misleading and dangerous character of the presumption of scholarly objectivity in research on social issues.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.4 COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.4 COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY

General Terms:
Documentation, Management, Theory

Keywords:
bias, computers and society, elitism, ideology, objectivity, pluralism, policy research, progressive individualism, radical criticism, social impact of computing, social issues in computing, technicism