Not Alone in the Field: Distance Collaboration via the Internet in a Focused Ethnography
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Date
2008
Authors
Lee, Bonnie K.
Gregory, David M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Institute for Qualitative Methodology at the University of Alberta, Canada
Abstract
Ethnography as method remains orthodox in its application. It is largely replicated
through the lone field ethnographer model. In challenging this fieldwork model, the
authors describe distance collaboration via the Internet linking two researchers
across space and time in the fieldwork process: one in the field, the other home
based. Using a reflexive, retrospective analysis of e-mail correspondence generated
during the fieldwork experience, they explicate key factors in their successful
collaborative effort. In addition, interchanges conducive to “thickening” the
ethnographic inquiry are highlighted. The collaborative process, facilitated through
the Internet, lent psychological strength to the field researcher and added to research
quality, timeliness, and trustworthiness in this focused ethnography. Cybertechnology
invites exploration of new approaches and resultant challenges in conducting ethnographic fieldwork. Keywords: ethnography, fieldwork, process, distance collaboration, Internet, coconstruction, audience, gambling
Description
© 2008 Lee. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Keywords
Ethnology -- Field Work , Ethnology
Citation
Lee, B. K., & Gregory, D. (2008). Not alone in the field: Distance collaboration via the Internet in a focused ethnography. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 7(3), 30-46. Retrieved from http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/IJQM/article/view/1672/3446