I've wanted to discuss
this issue for sometime but unfortunately am just getting to it.
I have noticed that in regards to this project, many of my fellow
classmates are struggling with similar issues: How do we get people to
participate and/or follow our blogs? Are our blogs meant for the public
to participate in? What are the ethical implications of posting personal
messages that have been exchanged via email or written text? What are the
ethical implications of simply discussing our fears regarding the overall
project in a very public forum and space? And what are the realities of
web-based community action/research, etc?
A couple of weeks ago, in
my Qualitative Research Practices course we covered the topic of the internet
as an overall research tool. I’ve found
that much of what was covered in the course really applied to our course blogs
(this blog) as well!
One particular slide
covered, when we should used the internet and it made me think about some of
our projects and whether or not utilizing a blog is really appropriate given
some of us are dealing with people who are incredibly uncomfortable with the
internet, do not trust it and really, we can access them through other mediums
such as letters, emails (not a blog or social networking site). We should consider who our projects are
geared towards and what we hope to achieve through our projects then decide
whether or not using the many resources the internet has to offer in the ways
of social networking and communication is appropriate. In my particular case it is very appropriate
and is actually something that although many people are afraid of utilizing
discussion boards and social networking sites, communication has been done
primarily via email. However, the organization I am working with, King County
4-H, is aimed at youth and encouraging them to utilize their skills, many of the
adults overseeing the projects and programs while well versed in email, are
very fearful of social networking sites and the ‘control’ aspect of what is
being put out there. They also do not
want to create any sort of panic, given children’s well beings are at stake.
One other interesting
note on when we should use the internet is when researchers have the time and
skills. When they do not, it is not
necessarily encouraged as a primary source of communication with your constituency
base. This is what I and it seems all of
you (my peers) are dealing with. We
simply do not have the time with to keep up with a blog, to make it interesting
and to really research out various ways of conveying our thoughts and our
message to a greater audience, in an interactive and engaging way! At least I don’t. I can honestly say, not having the time has
put me in tears—and I feel I’ve not been able to do justice to this project or
to the maintaining of an interesting blog.
Concerns over data safety
are high as well. Given much of what I’m
discussing is not necessarily available to the general public, it is quite
difficult to distinguish which emails I can post (I’ve decided on quotations
plucked from emails, without reference, but notification to those who’s words I’ve
used). Last week, I received a response
on my blog and project plan from the County Extension Agent I’ve been in
contact with. Although, Facebook and discussion
boards are not on the agenda yet, I’m still pushing for one (a discussion board
primarily) in order to help conversations flow between busy people. However, at the organizational level, no one
is willing to begin conversations of a sensitive nature even face to face until
financial matters of the organization are released in June. This is the time when they want to begin
conversations and start working on building a community and network of support
and will consider my ideas further, but they are still unlikely to utilize the
internet at least for any sort of youth based engagement.
And a final concern of
mine has been over the lack of people engaging in our blogs. Although, the intention of my blog is meant
to be exclusively reflective of my experiences within SWSP7123 and the implementation
of my project with King County 4-H, I have been put on to some of my “friends”
and “acquaintances” whom I know to have a connection to 4-H in general and may
have some interest. However, because you
have to join many are not apt to “follow.”
Instead many have opted to become what is referred to by Kazinets
(presented in Qualitative Lecture Wk9) as Tourists (also sometimes referred to
as Lurkers (those that are “publicly silent participants)…some are Minglers
(and may leave a comment but will not join).
As classmates, many of us are following a few blogs, which has relinquished
us to become Insiders, while some of you may have Devotees (and if you do
please share your methods).
All of this just struck
me that although work as been done, thinking about the appropriateness of a
blog to our projects (outside of the required coursework) and whether it is
worthwhile to pursue has consumed my thought.
We are all Lurkers, and pick and choose how active to be. With the medium of a blog, we may have
individuals interested in what we are saying, but may never know given the
context surrounding internet use and lack of ability to follow up with
them! It has blown my mind a bit to
think this and has been somewhat discouraging and encouraging at the same
time. Heck, I may be reaching people
with my incredulous amount of BS but maybe not?
How do you feel about
this?
-Alex
References:
Flame Eye Picture [Image].
Retrieved May 17, 2010, from www.testriffic.com/resultfiles/11298eyes5.jpg
Mayall, M.
(2010). Week 8, The Internet: Research Context, Research Tool [Powerpoint
Slides]. Unpublished Manuscript, SOCY7049, University of Queensland, St. Lucia,
Australia.
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