Ethnographic Approaches to the Internet and Computer-Mediated Communication

• Published in: Journal of contemporary ethnography Vol. 38; no. 1; pp. 52 - 84
• Main Authors: Garcia, Angela Cora, Standlee, Alecea I., Bechkoff, Jennifer, Yan Cui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.02.2009; Sage Publications; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Anthropological methodology; Communication; Computer mediated communication; Ethical dilemmas; Ethnographic research; Ethnography; Ethnology; Field work; Information and communication technologies; Internet; Interviews; Participant Observation; Qualitative research; Research subjects; Social relations. Intercultural and interethnic relations. Collective identity; Social structure and social relations; Telecommunications; interviewing; Internet; computer-mediated communication; participant observation; ethnography; Ethnography; Methodology; Interaction; Computer; Participant observation; Communication; Interview

In this article we review ethnographic research on the Internet and computer-mediated communication. The technologically mediated environment prevents researchers from directly observing research participants and often makes the interaction anonymous. In addition, in the online environment direct in...