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This guide provides an overview of online research methods, focusing on online interviews and ethical issues. Learn how to appropriately design studies, ensure ethical guidelines are met, and prepare students for online research.
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Guiding the E-Researcher Janet Salmons, Ph.D. Download the handout at http://www.vision2lead.com/guide_eresearch.pdf
Agenda • Introductions and Overview • Data Collection for Qualitative Research • Overview of Online Research Methods • Ethical Issues in Online Data Collection • Focus on Online Interviews • Teaching or Guiding Learners to Collect Data Online • Summary
Your Role as Instructor… • Make sure research design and technology choices are appropriate to purpose of the study. • Make sure proposed study will meet ethical guidelines.
Why interview? Why interview online? In-depth interviews are about obtaining specific information that later will be analyzed (Rubin & Rubin, 2005). Qualitative interviewing tends to be seen as involving the construction or reconstruction of knowledge more than the excavation of it (Mason, 2002). “Research questions that explore an online phenomenon are strengthened through the use of a method of research that closely mirrors the natural setting under investigation” (Geiser, 2002).
Why interview online? Pros Cons Fewer face-to-face, non-verbal cues. Lack of context, observation in the environment. Sample limited to people with access to online space and microphone, etc. • Ability to tap geographically dispersed sample. • Ability to generate visual as well as verbal data. • Eliminate transcription bias.
Select Communication Options • How will interviewer introduce the research topic and purpose of the study? • How will interviewer pose questions? • What kind of tools will interviewee use to respond?
Types of Interviews Which is appropriate for online interviews?
Types Conducive to Online Interviews Interviewee can respond with spoken and written words and images.
Summary “Always be suspicious of data collection that goes according to plan” (Patton, 2002, p. 207).
Next Steps… • Visit www.vision2lead.com for more materials about e-learning. • Look for Online Interviews in Real Time from Sage Publications next fall! http://www.vision2lead.com/guide_eresearch.pdf