Using online data sources in qualitative research

This Advanced Qualitative Methods training is open to all ESRC and non-ESRC funded students within the seven WRDTP partner institutions. Students are welcome from all seven interdisciplinary Pathways.

This course will explore the use of online data sources- including forums, blogs, discussion sites, and patient stories of care- and how these can be used in qualitative research. The course will discuss the potential values of such sources of data for understanding particular phenomena, the ethical issues and principles guiding the use of such data, and the ways to approach analysis of data generated online. Worked examples from a range of projects will be used to illuminate the topic and students will gain the opportunity to try out some aspects of ‘netnography’ within the session, giving them ideas around how they could utilise such approaches to research for their own projects.

Students attending this training will gain:

• An understanding of the use of value of online data sources within qualitative research
• Insight into the ethical issues that frame the conduct of internet mediated research
• Ideas on how to analyse online data within qualitative research