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Appendices: 222p., References: 230p., Index: 249p.

Contents Acknowledgements ix 1 Introduction 1 Defining Terms Researching the Internet Towards Internet Methodologies Technology Introduction 7 2 Practicalities of Using CMC 17 Advantages of CMC 17 Challenges of Using CMC 26 Internet Access and Usage 31 3 An Ethical Framework 39 Principles of Fair Information Processing Online 40 Practical Ethical Guidelines 47 Informed Consent 48 Confidentiality 57 Netiquette 59 Conclusion 62 4 Introducing Online Methods 65 Standardized Interviews 66 Non-standardized Interviews 75 Observational Techniques 84 Observation of Linguistic Behaviour 85 Participant Observation 87 Collecting Personal Documents 91 Mixed Methods 95 Conclusion 97 5 Online Focus Groups 99 The Focus Group Method 99 Online Focus Groups 101 Set-up and Access Requirements 103 The Online Venue and Environment 105 Selecting Online Participants 111 Online Discussion 121 Rigour and Validity in Online Focus Groups 123 Condusion 124 6 The Online Interviewer 126 Is CMC a Suitable Medium for Interviewing? 126 Purpose and Focus of the Interview 130 Aspects of Technical Expertise 132 Interpersonal Expertise Online 136 Relational Expertise in Group Discussions 144 Asking Questions 147 Asking Questions in Groups 152 Finishing Interviews 157 Conclusion 159 7 Power Issues in Internet Research 160 Visual Social Cues and Power Relations 162 Gender and Social Cues Online 165 Language as Social Cue 166 Gendered Language Online 166 Reconsidering the Online Environment 167 Semi-Private Interaction Using CMC 169 Public Interaction Using CMC 176 Conclusion 180 8 Language Mode and Analysis 181 CMC as a 'Hybrid' Mode of Communication 181 Is CMC an Effective Research Mode? 189 Further Implications for Data Analysis 193 Conclusion 194 9 Virtuality and Data 195 Entering the Field Using CMC 195 Researching Unfamiliar Cultures 198 Researching Familiar Cultures 201 Researching Online Cultures 203 Online Field and Data 207 Identity and Disembodiment 208 Implications of Disembodiment for Research Practice 211 Conclusion 214 10 Future Directions 216 Glossary 219 Appendix A: Online Consent Form 222 Appendix B: An Email Text-based Survey 225 Appendix C: A Web-page-based Survey 228 References 230 Index 249