Understanding the Data Collection Process in Online Ethnography of an Online Community of English Language Teachers / Derya Kulavuz-Onal.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kulavuz-Onal, Derya, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ethnohistory.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

London : SAGE Publications Ltd, 2025.

Summary:

Online ethnography is a research approach that adapts traditional ethnographic methods for studying communities that exist online. This case study reports on an online ethnography of Webheads in Action (WiA), an online community of English language teachers, founded in 2002. In this online ethnographic research, I examined how the Webheads community has sustained its collaborative and supportive culture leveraging various online platforms like groups.io, social media, wikis, blogs, and video conferencing tools. I also focused on their collective professional development, technology integration in language teaching, and collective identity building. During the data collection process that lasted almost a year, I utilized participant observation, reflective observational fieldnotes, in-depth interviews, and archiving data and artifacts. In this case study, I delve deeper into how to design an online ethnography from determining and "entering" the community and setting the boundaries of the field and limits of the fieldwork; challenges and adaptations in data collection process, especially when navigating the new digital technologies and platforms; and important ethical considerations, such as transparency, informed consent, and research benefiting the community. Despite challenges like balancing other professional responsibilities simultaneously occurring in one's in-person life and adapting to technological issues when conducting online ethnographies, I reflect on the exciting possibilities of online ethnographic research and emphasize the importance of participant observation, reflective fieldnotes supplemented by screenshots, and technological awareness. I conclude this case study with several suggestions and considerations for those who plan to conduct an online ethnography.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-03-621581-4

9781036215811

OCLC:

1523170014