Similar to Jelena, my
proposed research (if I were to take an ethnographic approach), would take
place in the vast field of the online space, or more specifically in
user-created content sharing platforms like YouTube. This could also mean I
remain in the library while conducting research (or other more technically
comfortable spaces such as my room). Technically, the online space is not as
concrete as what would traditionally constitute as “sociological or
archaeological pictures of fieldwork” (Galey, 2016) but still would be valuable
in generating a sizable amount of data, relevant to the research questions that
I am hoping to explore (issues of copyright infringement and algorithm
screening lacking consideration of Fair Use regulation).
Arguably, I could
somehow immerse myself into the world of YouTube, by say for becoming a
YouTuber myself to gain access to candid talks with YouTubers who have dealt
with copyright infringement take downs. However, the contention of what
constitutes as ‘real/more valuable’ research is troubling to me in general
(even simply the dated metaphor of what is considered as “real research” can now
be considered offensive, which twentieth century American sociologist Robert
Park noted, see Galey, 2016), as it should depend on the situation as well as
the resources available to the researcher (i.e. taking into consideration of
limitations of a study). If we took dated metaphors as the literal
definition/standard for ‘real research’, it seems to me as if more privileged
researchers have (either agreed on or concocted) a very specific notion of what
constitutes as ‘real/more valuable’ research. But I am sure that they would not
disagree that the metaphor is dated, if we were to discuss the specifics of
their research question and the ultimate purpose of said research that would
necessitate such ‘real/more valuable standards’ (in which case would no longer
be ‘standards’ but be consequently referred to as ‘research parameters’).
Lilian Le-Dang
References
Galey, A.
(2016, February 25). INF 1240: Research Methods [Web log post]. Retrieved from
http://galeyinf1240.blogspot.ca/
I agree with you, I also struggle with this concept of "real research.". The traditional definition or standard of fieldwork itself still seems quite dated and leans towards the sociological-anthropological understanding. Research is relative, one's "field" is relative. As you said, it really depends on the resources you have available so who's to say that research in the online environment is any less accurate or relevant? It is interesting to think of how even the study of research methods has changed over the past couple of decades.
ReplyDelete