The art of guerrilla researchMartin Weller

http://www.flickr.com/photos/idfonline/5981013497/

Outline

• Aim: To explore the concept of guerrilla research:– What is it?– How can I do it?– How might it apply in my area?

• 1.30- 2: What is guerrilla research? + examples• 2-2.45: Tony Hirst• 2.45 – 3.30: Activity• 3.30 – 4: Discussion

What is guerrilla research?

Guerrilla research methods are faster, lower-cost methods that provide sufficient enough insights to make informed strategic decisions(Ross Unger and Todd Warfel)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/essgee/3411795985/

Afforded by digital, network & open

The research process

• Have an idea• Write a proposal• Submit proposal• {wait}• Get funding• Do research• Write paper• {wait}• Publish

• Have an idea• Do research• Blog it

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mg7een/4550426/

DIY

• Create a journal• Interrogate data• Disseminate findings• Create a community• Collaborate

“what’s important here is that Zuckerberg’s genius could be embraced by half-a-billion people within six years of its first being launched, without (and here is the critical bit) asking permission of anyone. The real story is not the invention. It is the platform that makes the invention sing.”(Larry Lessig)

The manifesto

1. It can be done by one or two researchers and does not require a team

2. It relies on existing open data, information and tools

3. It is fairly quick to realise4. It is disseminated via blogs and social media5. It doesn’t require permission

Relationship with ‘traditional’ research

• We think of research as having a certain shape and size

• This extends that

Complementary

• Demonstrate potential of further work• Altmetrics as indicator of interest• Get ideas/collaborators for bigger project• Increase personal profile

More efficient?

12 days for a conventional

proposal was the average (RCUK 2006)

ESRC - only 17% of bids were successful in

2009-10

RCUK = 2006 £196 million on

applications to the 8 UK research

councils

2800 bids submitted to ESRC in 2009-10, an

increase in 33% from 2005-6

ESRC - 2000 failed bids x 12 days per bid = 65 years of

effort

Example1: The rich world of travel blogsGuided by a Bourdieusian lens, this article examines

the negotiation of authenticity, distinction and identity in the websites and

blogs of companies and tourists during the 2010

spring Mt Everest climbing season.

(Kane 2012)

This paper provides a discussion of the

strengths, weaknesses and

implications of using content analysis and narrative analysis on

travel blogs

The research reviewed the published literature and

real-life examples of destination marketing

organizations and tourism enterprises using blogs as

part of their business strategy

One important form is traveling, in which self-described “travelers” aim to dissociate

themselves from tourism altogether. As travelers, rather than tourists, these people present

themselves as engaged in a morally superior alternative that does not create the same

problems as tourism.

• No permission• Rich source of data• Would have required interviews, recruitment,

budget• Different methodology

Example 2: The meta-journal

• No permission (OA licensed articles)• Quick set up• No business case required• Allows for interdisciplinarity

Example 3: MOOC researchKaty doing

MOOC, blogs final assignment

Picked up by Phil Hill at eliterate

Becomes defacto piece on

completion rates

Invited to submit proposal for

funding

Conference & journal articles

follow

• Used free tools• Openly available data (reports, papers, data)• Relies on open scholarship identity• Led to proper funding and publication• Being used for further bids

Example 4: Facebook app

• No special access to data• No permission required• Spare time• Adopted by OU as official app

Issues

• Will someone steal my idea?• Can I account for it in my workplan?• Will it get me promoted?• Do I need technical skills?

Activity

• In groups• Decide on one person’s subject area• Come up with a plan for how one (or two)

element could be tackled by a guerrilla research approach– What would you need– What would it achieve– Why wouldn’t you do it

• Report back