Qualitative Research and social media: webinar 5th Feb 2013

If you can't attend our knowledge exchange seminar on Jan. 28th why not join us the debate by registering for our 'Qualitative Research and Social Media' Webinar on February 5, 2013. The time is: 16:00 GMT/UTC, 17:00 CET, 12 pm EST, 11 am CST, 10 am MST and 9 am PST.

Please email:claire.ashby@natcen.ac.uk to reserve a space and receive log-in information.

New Social Media, New Social Science? The project title suggests a number of questions. “New Social Media?” While the big commercial networks of Facebook, Twitter and Linked In are generally thought of as synonymous with “social media,” what are the emerging new media sites, communities and approaches and how are they being used, by whom, for what purpose? And, how can scholars use social media as modes of communication with participants or as research sites?

New Social Science? In recent years we have seen “new” interdisciplinary social science fields emerge, such as Sustainability Studies (science, management, public policy) or Gender Studies (literature, language, history, political science, sociology.) Do we need new fields of social science study that recognize just how integrated technology is with professional, personal, cultural and social life? And… or…do we need new ways to generate new knowledge in the social sciences?

Qualitative approaches have long been recognized as appropriate for exploring new questions that may stretch methodological and theoretical traditions. This being the case, it is entirely fitting that NSMNSS include opportunities to explore qualitative research approaches online and hear from qualitative e-researchers.

In addition to the Knowledge Exchange Seminar 3 on January 28th, the webinar on February 5 is open to anyone who registers. This webinar will include presentations that examine opportunities, challenges and changes for qualitative researchers, and a panel of researchers who have conducted studies in and about Facebook. 

To join the conversation, send an email to mailto:claire.ashby@natcen.ac.uk to reserve a space and receive log-in information.

Webinar Agenda:

Opportunities and Challenges of Qualitative “Deep Data” Janet Salmons, Core Faculty, Capella University School of Business, USA and author, Online Interviews in Real Time and Cases in Online Interview Research.

The Changing Role of the Qualitative Researcher Online Kandy Woodfield, Head of Learning and Development, NatCen Social Research, UK

Facebook: Research Setting and Phenomena

Panel of Researchers:

• Allison Deegan

Deegan, A. (2012). Stranger in a strange land: The challenges and benefits of online interviews in the social networking space. In Salmons (Ed.), Cases in online interview research. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.

• Mike Behan

Behan, M. (in press). Study on the efficacy of Facebook friends on the perception of the brand in a Small to Medium Size Enterprise (SME). (Doctoral dissertation, Capella University)

• Dale Buckholtz

Buckholtz, D. (in press). Classifying virtual collaboration skills: A case study of social network site users’ skills and transference to virtual teamwork. (PhD), (Doctoral dissertation, Capella University)

Panel Discussion and Q & A