What are online research methods Online research methods
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What are online research methods? • Online research methods (ORMs) are research methods that utilise internet as medium for research • Also called internet mediated research (IMR) or online methodologies • Include – – online questionnaires synchronous and asynchronous interviews virtual ethnographies online experiments etc • Today’s focus is on online questionnaires and interviews
Your interest in ORM As a group identify: • Some advantages of using online research methods • Some disadvantages of online research methods • The key issue(s) that you wish to explore today 10
What value online research? • Huge uptake online research methods, especially online questionnaires • Useful in particular situations e. g. researching online populations and previously difficult to contact groups • Can mitigate distance and space and so internationalise research • Can save time and money • Safety issues • Different dynamics of communication: - more neutral venue - more thoughtful responses - different participants open up/excel
But…. disadvantages • • But digital divide can limit who we talk to Drop off rates for questionnaires high Issues of identity verification Lack of empathy/rapport for interviews Circumstances of interview beyond interviewers control Technical obstacles Still need degree of technical competence and institutional support
Careful and critical use ORMs • • So ORMs are not a shortcut 'easy option' Many issues and problems of onsite research remain Divide between onsite/online methods inappropriate Must be used, carefully and critically and appropriately in light of each specific research topic Attempting to undertake online data collection is far easier than successfully accomplishing it. For those who chose to perform it, they must do so deliberately and cautiously. (Best and Krueger, 2004) While online methodological frameworks are in constant flux, change is not necessarily always progressive: there is a need for online researchers to practice their 'craft' with reflexivity. (Madge and O’Connor, 2005)
