10-10.40 Introduction - Clare

1

Training Researchers in Online Research Methods (TRI-ORM)

Dr Clare Madge, Dr Jane Wellens, Dr Julia Meek, Dr Tristram

Hooley, Mr Rob Shaw

The trainers

Dr Clare Madge Dr Jane Wellens

You?

This workshop• Part of the TRI-ORM (Training Researchers in Online

Research Methods) project (May 2007 to May 2009). ESRC Researcher Development Initiative

• Builds on Exploring Online Research Methods in a Virtual Training Environment (May 2004 to July 2006). ESRC Research Methods Training Programme.

• The aim is to stimulate the careful and critical uptake, and further sophisticated use, of Online Research Methods (ORM) and to work towards mainstreaming these innovative methods by building a national and virtual network of research training in ORM.

Existing site +

Self-directed study

TRI-ORM Project structure

Workshops for beginners in online

methods

Accredited online course

for advanced users

hence TRI-ORM

Aim of workshopBy the end of the session you will be able to:

• Consider when to use (and when not to use) online research methods for your social science research

• Develop a basic online questionnaire• Experience a short online interview• Discuss some key ethical and methodological issues

surrounding the use of online research methods• Access web-based resources and support materials to

further develop your skills, knowledge and teaching in online research methods

Programme of today

10:00 - 10:40 Introduction10:45 - 1.00 Online questionnaires1.00 - 1.45 Lunch 1.45 - 3.00 Online Interviews 3:00 - 3.10 Tea break3.10 - 3.45 Ethics and online research 3.45 - 4.00 Any questions, evaluation, online futures, future directions etc

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

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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)