Virtual EthnographyCutting though the exaggerated and fanciful beliefs about the new possibilities of `net life′, Hine produces a distinctive understanding of the significance of the Internet and addresses such questions as: what challenges do the new technologies of communication pose for research methods? Does the Internet force us to rethink traditional categories of `culture′ and `society′? In this compelling and thoughtful book, Hine shows that the Internet is both a site for cultural formations and a cultural artefact which is shaped by people′s understandings and expectations. The Internet requires a new form of ethnography. The author considers the shape of this new ethnography and guides readers through its application in multiple settings. |
Contents
1 | |
14 | |
3 The Virtual Objects of Ethnography | 41 |
4 The Making of a Virtual Ethnography | 67 |
5 Time Space and Technology | 83 |
6 Authenticity and Identity in Internet Contexts | 118 |
7 Reflection | 147 |
Glossary of Internet Terms | 157 |
163 | |
175 | |
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Common terms and phrases
accounts activities alt.true-crime analysis appropriate audience authenticity performance authors Baym boundaries bounded social campaign challenge Chapter claims communication concern connections construction context coverage cultural artefact cyberspace dejanews designers developers discourse discourse analysis electronic ethno ethnographic approach experience explore field focus focusing graphic identity performance identity play Internet as culture Internet service providers interpretive flexibility Louise Woodward Louise's lurkers mass media meaningful medium messages newsgroup postings object observations offline online settings organization orientation participants particular poster postmodern potential practices problems produced questions readers reflexivity relationships relevant search engine seen sense situationally social relations social spaces space of flows statements strategies suggests support sites television temporal collage threads topic trial understanding updated Usenet virtual ethnography visitors web designers web developers web pages Woolgar World Wide Web