Gaps and Bits: Conceptualizing Measurements for Digital Divide/s

The paper conceptualizes ways to approach meaning, purpose, and components of tools to measure the digital divide. Three arguments are raised in this paper. First, I raise criticism of policymakers who prefer to approach the digital divide from a cost and rapid outputs perspectives, at the expense of a thoughtful analysis of: (i) the purpose of the tool, (ii) the level of observation, and (iii) the method of approaching the data. This article raises the debates and tensions in each one of these levels. Second, I argue that networks and technologies are not a neutral artifact but are political and social spaces in their structure as well as in their content levels. Acknowledging this commits us to look at the context as the important prism through which to conceptualize and measure the digital divide. Third, there are two general types of indices in common use for the measurement of the digital divide(s): focused monotopical indices and comprehensive indices. Monotopical indices are more widely available, while comprehensive ones are rare. I argue that there is a substantial need of policymakers to promote comprehensive indices over monotopical indices. Additionally, the paper compares some comprehensive tools and highlights some characteristics that they lack. Finally, I present a conceptual definition and framework to measure the digital divide as an index, and I propose a set of factors needed if the framework is to be made operational. This is just an initial step towards constructing a practical tool. The strength of the paper resides in its conceptual analysis as to how to approach measurement of the digital divide.