The influence of social media on information sharing and decision making in policing: research in progress

Introduction. This interdisciplinary research in progress paper describes research exploring information sharing and decision making in a policing context. As the use of information from social media, particularly within a public safety environment, is still new and emerging, there is a distinct lack of theory to explain the transformation in information practices taking place.Method. The research takes a qualitative approach, drawing on a social constructivist meta-theory. Activity theory is presented as the methodological and analytic framework and its application for studying information practices is described. Interviews think aloud techniques, observations and document analysis will be the methods used.Future research. This research aims to contribute to both the academic literature and to policy by developing theory and providing policing organisations with an empirical grounding to develop policy