lecture

what is ethnographic about digital ethnography? 

a sociological perspective

digital ethnography advantages for researchers:

  • rigorous and insightful research without leaving a house

  • hours that fit a researcher’s schedule

  • the low risk of viral exposure

what is digital ethnography?

  • digital ethnography + analogue ethnography » self-presentation & co-presence

Forberg’s research:

Schilt’s research:

digital ethnography of QAnon

analogue research of ppl undergoing a major change to their embodiment such as significant weight loss through surgical procedures

data collection method: 

  • follow online communities

  • text and audio interviews

  • quantitative analysis of Twitter data (data-scraping)

data collection method: 

  • participant method

  • qualitative interviews

what is digital about digital ethnography?

  • Hine’s (2015) formulation » technology-specific + technology-neutral

what is ethnographic about digital ethnography?

  • self-presentation

  • co-presence

conclusion

  • in digital ethnography, it is essential to consider a researcher’s self-presentation and co-presence

  • digital ethnography does not eliminate the importance of analogue ethnography

  • digital technology may result in considering slightly different ethical implications in research

  • different technologies enable different participant frameworks

  • technologies can add to the number of participants in an interaction, including the kinds of participants involvement