nrf 11feb

The Internet as a medium for qualitative research: 

Patsy Clarke clarke@itd.und.ac.za 11 February 2000 p@c The Internet as a medium for qualitative research

Outline of presentation: 

Objectives of this study and methods used to collect information Topic guide Aspects of qualitative research and the Internet Summary of issues around using the Internet for qualitative research Examples of qualitative research Outline of presentation

Objectives: 

Identify and investigate issues around using the Internet as a medium for qualitative research Strengths and limitations Outcomes to be made available as a resource on the YENZA web-site Objectives

Collection methods: 

Readings, including on-line resources On-line (email) contact with qualitative researchers and Internet practitioners Invitations to researchers to reality test the medium in discussion of the topic and exchange of information Collection methods

Topic guide: 

Ethical considerations Access issues Economic considerations Research methods and process issues Requirements for research capacity building Examples of qualitative research conducted via the Internet Topic guide

Qualitative research: 

Depends on approach/ philosophy Meanings of lived experiences Observation and data collection in natural not contrived settings Context/complexity Reflection Qualitative research

Methods: 

Field research Case studies Ethnography Document and content analysis Interview and observational research Community study Life history and biographical studies Methods

Data: 

Triangulation: Interviews with individuals Focus groups Video/audio-tapes/photographs Archived material and records Reflective journals Data

Internet 1998: 

A global computer network of connected server computers or ‘international network’ which facilitates connectivity via TCP/IP for millions of (client) computers world-wide that have access via a modem or cable. Also known as the Net. Internet 1998

Internet 2000: 

Includes: Satellite connections Internet- enabled TV sets, cars, telephones, refrigerators and other apparatus Wearable web Wireless application protocol (WAP) Internet 2000

Internet- other aspects: 

“ .. a virtual street of infinite length, where anyone with a modem and an account with a service provider is free to project their sense of themselves within the world. “..a place where exclusivity is claimed and maintained.. a vehicle for mass participation and individual idiosyncrasy”. “.. a further instrument of liberation..” “One person – one Internet connection” Internet- other aspects

Internet services: 

World Wide Web Large scale system of inter-connected resources which facilitates access to stored data, text, hypertext, images, sound and video Internet services

World Wide Web: 

Linked access to web sites of: Individuals and Organisations – government, NGO, legal, commercial and educational On-line learning materials and courses On-line health services On-line journals and newspapers Virtual libraries, art galleries and museums Virtual shopping malls, music and game centres Databases and archives Advertisements and promotional goods Software Porn Junk World Wide Web

Internet services: 

Asynchronous Email (‘push’) Email lists /list servers (‘push’) Topic based UseNet /News groups(‘pull’) Web-based conferencing (‘pull’) Web broadcast (‘pull’) Internet services

Internet services: 

Synchronous Internet Relay Chat (IRC) MUDs and MOOs Computer video conferencing Web-based audio Instant messenger service Internet services

Bandwidth: 

The amount of information that can be transmitted across a network in a given amount of time. Bandwidth limitations give weight to the value of computer mediated communication (CMC) services that require less of it. Bandwidth

Email: 

Advantages Asynchronous communication Can take own time to read/digest compose with reflection, review and edit ideas Write and read off-line to save access costs Can contact anyone connected Email

Email list servers: 

Same advantages as email On-line communities around specific activities, interests and purposes Email list servers

Newsgroups: 

Variety of interest topics as for the lists Newsgroups

Lists and Newsgroups: 

Collaborative work/learning groups Professional groups Conference groups Family contact groups Role playing and gaming groups Illness support groups Gender groups Ethnic groups Religious groups Political groups Software support groups Sex groups Groups that promote illegal activities Lists and Newsgroups

MUDs, MOOs and Chat: 

Synchronous services Useful for real time small meetings and brainstorming Speedy typing required for keeping up and little time to reflect Inconvenient across international time-zones MUDs, MOOs and Chat

Web-based: 

Enables ‘threaded’ vs. linear communication in topics May use scripting and other add-on programs not accessible by all browsers Not all Web browser software present Web-based material as it was designed to look Web-based

Other Internet services: 

File transfer protocol (ftp) and data search and retrieval Secure transactions e.g. Internet banking Payment for goods and services Other Internet services

Matrix of CMC and research activities Q: 

Matrix of CMC and research activities Q

CMC vs. f2f*: 

No sound cues to indicate: Pausing & reflection Emotion Speed, loudness and pitch Age and gender National, ethnic or class accents * Face to face CMC vs. f2f*

CMC vs. f2f: 

No visual cues to indicate: Appearance, height and weight Clothes, make-up, jewellery Gender, age, ethnic group Physical handicaps Facial expressions Eye contact Body language Psychophysical responses e.g. blushing, yawning, blinking Emotions CMC vs. f2f

CMC vs. f2f: 

No real time Chronology of interaction Turn taking Interruptions CMC vs. f2f

CMC vs. f2f: 

Text-based emotions can be powerful Text-based management of conflict is required Text-based dominance and offensiveness occur CMC is not gender-blind Genderised communication style Genderised communication ethic (Herring, 1994) CMC vs. f2f

Comparison outcomes?: 

Look to use the on-line technology for what it is good at rather than only adapt f2f models. Choose the approach and medium that suits the research goals and is sensitive to target group and context. Then plan the research to exploit the functionality of the chosen medium and minimise the limitations. Comparison outcomes?

Ethical considerations: 

Confidentiality on the Internet Private vs. public information and ownership of information Informed consent (Local web-published codes of ethics do not address media beyond audio and video tapes) Ethical considerations

Confidentiality: 

Can privacy and confidentiality be assured on the Internet? US Federal funding agencies say no and disallow electronic data collection Electronic data leaves tracks across servers around the world so harder to control storage Confidentiality

Private vs. Public?: 

Easy to collect information on individuals e.g. cookies and registrations. Who owns it? Current US law suits: Company sold information obtained without consent of individuals Texas anti-stalking law against YAHOO for using ‘cookies’ Private vs. Public?

Informed consent: 

Requires full disclosure of research objectives and possible risks of participation Full disclosure may change the dynamics of an on-line group being observed Risks are not always clearly defined If pre-existing on-line group is the focus how does an individual withdraw from the study? Informed consent

Access : Numbers: 

200 million Internet users 100 million in the US Billion users by 2005 200 million in the US/300 million in China Africa 98% of Internet connectivity in Africa is in extreme north/south 90% South Africa Internet cafes in almost each African country Variable quality of access Access : Numbers

Access: Demographics: 

Mainly urban, male, 30 – 35, with work-place access in the commercial sector Rapidly changing demographics Depends who/what/how surveyed Women and 50+ age group increasing Access: Demographics

Economics: 

Costs in a state of flux Computers Costly but reducing ‘relative’ to other commodities Some computer access via community centres, schools, universities, police stations, hospitals and Internet cafes Free email services available ‘Free’ Web access available Local telephone calls need to be free The Ford Company solution. Economics

Research process: 

Communication requires technical knowledge Can lead to information and processing overload Quick response leads to sense of virtual presence Reality testing confirms that CMC depends on reliable, stable Internet links and hardware Extended or unexpected off-line periods can undermine involvement & commitment of participants Research process

Sampling and recruitment: 

Sampling schemes cannot be formalised Obtain appropriate permission to recruit Publish a short message of invitation with a URL where the details are provided (to avoid ‘spamming’) Sampling and recruitment

Group process: 

Diverse, heterogeneous globally dispersed individuals and groups may have variable (English) language skills Pre-existing groups may be over-represented for some biases Provide a guide for processes, time-lines and ‘netiquette’ issues Moderation needs to find a balance between non-intrusive facilitation and limiting uncertainly and confusion Group process

Ethics: 

Follow the codes of ethics of the discipline(s) in which the research is conducted Plus give consideration to the ethical questions related to the Internet Become familiar with the perceived risks and communicate these Ethics

Examples: 

Ethical issues Breast Cancer On-line (Sharf, 1999) Focus groups Emerging social forms in cyberspace (Gaiser, 1997) Triangulation Case study of a Virtual Classroom (Clarke, 1998) Examples

Breast cancer on-line: 

‘Lurked’ for months on the Breast Cancer List and ‘harvested’ selected postings Presented a first-draft paper at oral presentations Had declared her double role when she posted (rarely) Obtained consent only after draft copy received media attention IRB affirmed her research plan Participants given access to copy and contributed further Breast cancer on-line

Focus groups: 

Researched in the location of interest (natural setting) Created list to conduct focus groups Recruited from lists with permission Recruited diverse groups from global locations Found pre-existing groups more concordant Informed consent approach despite low risk and ‘public’ space Moderator not always on-line so he outlined the ‘self-management’ requirements up-front Focus groups

Case Study: 

Participant observation of postings and interaction on the classroom list Research project plan posted to the list for comment and acceptance Email interviews with participants at two stages of the course Email interview with the course facilitator Content analysis as well as message totals, frequency and timing Included analysis of coursework marks Case Study

Impact on research: 

The Internet has created communities that would /could not have formed otherwise providing access to interdisciplinary, heterogeneous groups. It provides the opportunity for new possibilities to produce and distribute knowledge and will impact on how research communities evolve, operate and sustain themselves. Impact on research