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1. 10-10.40 Introduction - Clare. 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.
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1 10-10.40 Introduction - Clare
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.
TRI-ORM Project structure Existing site + Self-directed study hence TRI-ORM Workshops for beginners in online methods Accredited online course for advanced users
Aim of workshop By 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 Introduction 10:45 - 1.00 Online questionnaires 1.00 - 1.45 Lunch 1.45 - 3.00 Online Interviews 3:00 - 3.10 Tea break 3.10 - 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 10
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)