I tend to think of this blog as a self reflective piece of work. More like a diary or school journal than like a news post or public announcement. I don't except many, outside of my classmates and professors, to be regular readers of my journal. But this belief of mine is a false one. Anyone can search google (using the right keywords) and find my blog posted online for all the world to see. I know this because my friends (in their work boredom) have mentioned reading my blog once or twice (and I have never sent them a link) and because the visitor statistics that monitor my blog tell me that people are viewing my posts (and which posts are the most popular). So while I tend to forget that my blog is out there in the public domain - the fact is that it is very public - probably more public and wide reaching then my own physical self.
So what if someone out there is watching/reading my posts and using it for research? No I'm not talking paranoia and conspiracy theories. I'm talking about online lurking - in which researchers transcribe what they observe and find posted in online public forums such as personal web pages, blogs, and social networks. How ethical is it? From a researcher's point of view, I feel that online observations (lurking just sounds so negative and plain creepy) are a valid way of collecting data. In some ways it is similar to sitting out in a busy public area and taking notes on what people are wearing (avatars), who they are/are not interacting with (chatting with or ignoring online), and what they are actually talking about (the actual conversations).
But don't those in public areas have the option of leaving an area if they feel uncomfortable? - Yes, but honestly researchers shouldn't be making people uncomfortable whether in person or online. They should be acting appropriately at all times.
In person, can't they tell that someone is taking notes and react as they see fit? Not necessarily, I've done public observations before for classwork and most of the time people never notice me. They probably just think I'm doing homework - it's not like I stare at them while taking notes or have a recorder out. Do people in the next table at a restaurant notice every person who eavesdrops?
Doesn't a researcher have a better ability to understand what it is they are observing in person then online? Yes and No. I think this depends on the researcher and their experience with what it is they are observing. At least in online there's a written record of what you are observing. In person there's always the chance you might mishear something or make an error in your notes.
I think what it boils down to is that the researcher needs to follow the guidelines of ethical research. They need to act appropriately when observing - whether in person or online. If your observing then observe - don't interact - that just skews your research making it invalid anyways. As an person with an online public presence - I need to remember that online = public. Isn't that what we are trying to teach children? That not only do they need to be mindful of what they post (personal details, confidential info, etc) but that what they post is out there for all to see? Adults - let's practice what we preach.
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