Perceptions and Use of a Web-Based Referral System in Child Welfare: Differences by Caseworker Tenure |
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| Authors: | Susanna R Curry Jenna van Draanen Bridget Freisthler |
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| Institution: | 1. Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago and University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, Chicago, Illinois;2. UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California;3. College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio |
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| Abstract: | In the child welfare system, technology may help caseworkers make service referrals efficiently. However, acceptance and use of new technology does not occur equally for all caseworkers. Influenced by the Technology Acceptance Model, we investigate differences in perceived ease of use and usefulness of a web-based referral system by caseworker tenure, and how these perceptions relate to use of the system. Results from 31 interviews with newer and more tenured caseworkers suggest important similarities and differences in how these groups perceive the technology, and suggest that differences in perception are related to differences in actual use. |
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| Keywords: | Child welfare information and communication technology Internet service referral |
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