Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
a resource, this book is meant to be the place to which a researcher turns when
beginning to think through the practical aspects of developing an online
research project, and where to seek information regarding the use of a partic-
ular technology for an online study. We believe that we accomplish our mission
by providing you with technical explanations, instructions, self-help tips, useful
links to other resources, references and case examples.
This book is not a methods text.
There are a number of substantive online
research methods texts available (e.g. Best & Krueger, 2004; Blank, Fielding &
Lee, 2008; Jones, 1999). In addition, there is also a diverse body of research lit-
erature on a number of technology-related topics. Some books, for example,
cover using computers for qualitative analysis (Miles & Huberman, 1994;
Richards & Richards, 1991; Walker, 1993; Weitzman & Miles, 1995). Several
authors have focused on the possibilities and subtleties of participant observa-
tion and online field work (Clodius, 1994; Hine, 2000; Ito, 1996; Markham,
1998; Nardi, 1996). In recent years this body of literature has been comple-
mented by several books on online methods and the research of online social
phenomena (e.g. Howard & Jones, 2004; Mann & Stewart, 2000). Adding to the
growing body of literature are works that assist researchers in understanding
the nuances and subtle differences in researching online (Hewson, Laurent,
Yule & Vogel, 2003; Hine, 2000; Seale, 2004).
In addition, this book is not a software manual
. People often think in terms
of the “how-to for dummies” books such as
WindowsXPforDummies
(Harvey,
2004), or a technical manual such as
AdobePhotoshopCSClassroominaBook
,
a training workbook produced by a software developer or a licensee (2002).
While there are several examples of how to do particular tasks and illustrations
to highlight particular actions, none of the illustrations is meant to provide
comprehensive training on a given subject or application. In all cases, they
serve to make specific points about a technology and to provide some basics for
a new user, so that a user can make educated decisions as he or she embarks on
a new online research study.
We are aware that some readers may suggest that many software applications
are intuitive today and relatively easy to use. They may also note that online ser-
vices such as SurveyMonkey, a web-based survey service provider, make devel-
oping an online survey a breeze. And on those points they would be correct.
While we may not be able to convince everyone to stick it out, we'll offer one
thought. Just because there are statistical software packages that make it easy to
run the numbers doesn't mean we're now all statisticians. While software gets
easier to use, it's still necessary to have certain skills to be able to make informed
choices. We believe this book can help the reader make many of those decisions.
At the risk of offending, it has been our experience that many users don't
know what they don't know … that is, until they find themselves in a bind with
their project. They say things like, “Why didn't anyone warn me?” or “If I'd only
known when I started this project.” If you're unsure of the utility of this book,
we encourage you to flip through a few chapters before putting it down. The
