Social and Virtual Networks: Evaluating Synchronous Online Interviewing Using Instant Messenger

Abstract

This paper describes an evaluation of the quality and utility of synchronous online interviewing for data collection in social network research. Synchronous online interviews facilitated by Instant Messenger as the communication medium, were undertaken with ten final year university students. Quantitative and qualitative content analysis of respondent and researcher evaluation of the quality and utility of IM indicated that IM was an integral part of student university life and also an excellent and innovative communication platform; a potential advancement for research interviewing. IM was subsequently compared with face-to-face communication in terms of gains and losses for research interviewing. The efficacy of the method of online interviewing using IM in this context is discussed.

Refurbishing services and how services enhance consumer well-being

“…The netnographic approach involves gathering and analyzing customer comments from computer sites and is felt to be a source of valid data because it is unobtrusive and more natural than standard qualitative methods such as focus groups and indepth interviews (Kozinets, 2002). There are indications that using electronic mediated communication in qualitative research obtains more valid data because the Web environment helps bring peoples' guards down and that people are more honest than they are in face-to-face settings (Gibson and McAllister, 2009;Hinchcliffe and Gavin, 2009).…”

Resiliência dos preços de imóveis residenciais usados em São Paulo apesar da crise econômica

“…Tal escolha reflete as recomendações para entrevistas de testemunhas privilegiadas, com alto conhecimento do problema, sendo o público a que o estudo diz diretamente respeito (QUIVY; CAMPENHOUDT, 1992;EISENHARDT;GRAEBNER, 2007). Abordou-se suas as vivências particulares e dos seus subordinados, em entrevistas presenciais ou por comunicação eletrônica instantânea, a qual permitiu manter a estrutura metodológica e tornar acessíveis pessoas que estavam fisicamente distantes (CRESWELL, 2007;RAPLEY, 2007;HINCHCLIFFE;GAVIN, 2009). As entrevistas foram realizadas sequencialmente até que as respostas atingissem saturação suficiente para confiança empírica (GLASER;STRAUSS, 2006).…”

Well-being after the Virginia Tech mass murder: The relative effectiveness of face-to-face and virtual interactions in providing support to survivors.

“…Yet, unlike most tragedies that preceded the Virginia Tech shootings, many of the traumatized and grieving community members used virtual media to talk to their loved ones.Research has clearly established that social support is critically important for recovering from such traumatic events (Galea et al, 2002;Johnson, North, & Smith, 2002). Given the increased use of e-mail, text messaging, and social networking sites among youth (Hinchcliffe & Gavin, 2009;Lehdonvirta & Räsänen, 2010;Räsänen & Kouvo, 2007), it is unsurprising that survivors of the Virginia Tech school shooting used technology to communicate with the members of their private networks (see Eberhardt, 2007). However, it is unclear whether this virtual interaction was as effective as 441096T MTXXX10.…”

“…Research has clearly established that social support is critically important for recovering from such traumatic events (Galea et al 2002; Johnson, North, & Smith, 2005; Ruzek et al, 2007) as being imbedded in a strong private network of friends and family can provide the emotional support survivors need to effectively cope with the tragedy (Hawdon and Ryan 2011). Given the increased use of e-mail, text messaging, and social networking sites among youth (Hinchcliffe & Gavin, 2009), it is likely that survivors of mass violence use technology to communicate with the members of their private networks (Dutta-Bergman, 2004). However, it is unclear if this “virtual interaction” can be as effective as face-to-face interaction in providing the needed support.…”