The Internet (Understanding Qualitative Research) - Softcover

Hine, Christine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199793891 ISBN 13: 9780199793891

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2012

Synopsis

As use of the Internet has become increasingly widespread, the Internet has also become a natural site for qualitative research. New researchable populations emerge, and illuminating discussions on every conceivable topic have become accessible to researchers. The Internet also presents many challenges, however, raising the questions of how to develop ethical and achievable research projects, and how to present findings to the widest possible audience.

This book focuses on the process of writing qualitative Internet research, from the construction of the initial proposal to the preparation of different types of research reports, including conventional dissertations and more innovative media forms. Covering ethnographic, interview-based, and documentary analysis, The Internet offers clear guidance on the challenges and opportunities posed by the application of these approaches to Internet settings, drawing on a wide array of published examples and rooting its advice in the established principles of qualitative research. The author emphasizes the importance of reflexivity and developing awareness of the various genres of qualitative writing, together with building research reports that are significant as mainstream social research.

Although the emphasis of this book is on qualitative research, it also draws on quantitative research techniques, since the sheer wealth of data available on the Internet prompts consideration of new ways of visualizing and summarizing data. The Internet also explores initiatives by Internet researchers to make use of new media technologies for analyzing and presenting their research, and to allow for new forms of interaction with research participants and audiences.

About this title

About the Author

Christine Hine is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Surrey. Her main research centers on the sociology of science and technology, including ethnographic studies of scientific culture, information technology, and the Internet. She has also taken a lead role in promoting discussion of methodologies for sociological understanding of the Internet.

Review

"This book should be very helpful to qualitative researchers as it complements the usual research books by focusing on the writing of qualitative Internet research. It is not designed to repeat information in the usual qualitative research book." -- DOODY'S

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0199793891
• ISBN 13: 9780199793891
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 178