Being a good spy: Legitimizing access to web-based observation

Authors

  • Ingeborg Grønning Institutt for sosiologi og statsvitenskap, NTNU

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5324/eip.v9i2.1864

Keywords:

Internet-based research, research ethics, informed consent

Abstract

Observation of online forums is a relevant methodological approach for researchers in several disciplines. However, ethical guidelines on such observations challenge the ethically concerned researcher. In this paper, I reflect on how I carried out my observation of an online weight-loss forum, and how I could have conducted it differently to meet ethical standards and the demands of high-quality research. After receiving approval from the forum administrators to observe the forum, information about my project on obesity was posted online. Some of the participants reacted negatively to my presence in the forum. This paper draws on the evolving discussion between researcher and participants on the complex issue of research ethics, particularly informed consent, in studying closed forums on the Internet. It is suggested that evaluating whether participants are harmed is more important than the public/private divide when considering whether informed consent is necessary.

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Author Biography

Ingeborg Grønning, Institutt for sosiologi og statsvitenskap, NTNU

Stipendiat i sosiologi ved Institutt for sosiologi og statsvitenskap, NTNU
Åpent nummer om profesjonsetikk

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Published

2015-11-09

How to Cite

Grønning, I. (2015). Being a good spy: Legitimizing access to web-based observation. Etikk I Praksis - Nordic Journal of Applied Ethics, 9(2), 19-32. https://doi.org/10.5324/eip.v9i2.1864

Issue

No. 2 (2015)

Section

Artikler - Articles

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