To assess lurking, Erin can calculate postings by non-posters based on subscription rates. She can then compare our posting rates of posters to lurkers on other groups. She can also calculate number of posters and then run demographics against posters-she could google our names or visit our campuses to obtain a boatload of demographic information-I've used this technique to determine gender of published authors in academic journals...
I think the more interesting question is if this group is actually a "community" or not or something in-between; Erin probably needs to read the work of Barry Wellman whose done work in this area...i just had a flash, this is turning into a Far Side cartoon where those being studied start manipulating the anthropologist! mge -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Carolyn Pevey Sent: Monday, September 19, 2005 1:19 PM To: Erin; Teaching Sociology Subject: TEACHSOC: Re: Further explanation I'm wondering how you can imagine that you "live" here when you aren't teaching sociology (our lived experience). I mean, how do you contextualize this? I realize that who never post may not have these things or may not currently have them. Also, how are you going to account for lurkers in this virtual culture? Are they members of the culture, even though we never interact with them? I'm curious because I've been interested in these questions myself when contemplating cyber research. But for what it's worth, maybe these questions will help you in your defense? :) >I would like to offer further explanation of the project. I am >conducting cyber-fieldwork because the resources for an expedition are >not available. Fieldwork is based on the concept that it is necessary >to "live" in a culture to fully understand a culture. While I "live" >here, I will observe and record the communication, norms and other >various factors of the culture while maintaining a neutral and >nonjudgemental position. I assure the members of Teaching Sociology >that I will adhere to high ethical standards. Information that >informants provide me will not be used against the informants. I am >committed to the anonymity of informants and the confidentiality of >information. > >-Erin Carolyn Pevey, Ph. D. Assistant Professor of Sociology Auburn University at Montgomery Department of Sociology and Anthropology P.O. Box 244023-4023 (special addressing required for UPS--please contact me before sending) Montgomery, AL 36124-4023 334-244-3550 [EMAIL PROTECTED] AUM is not responsible for anything in this letter, nor does it endorse any opinions expressed herein.
