Digital Ethnography

About

Analysis of qualitative data gathered during the course of social research requires both a set of specialized skills and an understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative approaches. Ethnographic approaches to research in particular are often employed in the study of ICTs, particularly since they are well suited to the study of leading-edge developments. They also provide a means for complementing more quantitative studies through the collection of in-depth and contextualized observations.

This course will:

1) provide an overview of the ethnographic tradition;

2) explore the new opportunities and challenges the Internet has presented for those interested in carrying out ethnography;

3) examine the more practical aspects of how to go about conducting a (digital) ethnographic study;

4) explore some of the ethical considerations that arise in (digital) ethnography.

Students will gain familiarity with techniques and challenges in setting up, conducting, collecting and analysing data, and writing up an ethnographic study.

Learning Objectives

This course is designed to give students experience both collecting and analysing qualitative data as part of ethnographic research, and to give them a conceptual understanding of the reasons for using ethnographic approaches, the limits of the methods they will be using, and the opportunities and challenges unique to qualitative social research methods and the Internet.

Each week, students will develop their conceptual understanding and analysis skills via the discussion of key academic texts and through working with authentic qualitative data. Starting in week 1, students will be required to start developing and conducting their own small case study using different kinds of qualitative data and participant observation methods.

At the end of the course students will be able to:

1) Understand the strengths and limitations of engaging in participant observation of digitally mediated communities

2) Identify, gather, manage, and analyse multiple types of qualitative data to support ethnographic investigation

3) Understand the ethical considerations unique to participatory ethnographic methods