Ok so a few astute readers out there might realise that I've deleted the previous blog post. I thought that since some things had changed since then it made sense to approach things from a calmer, more rational frame of mind.
So, through the week my research encountered a snag. I won't go into a huge amount of detail, but sufficed to say an individual in a gatekeeping position declined to assist me in my recruitment from the online community he adminstrates. When I realised this denial may have come from a position of laziness, ignorance or apathy, I made the error of trying to get the individual to see the objectivity of my research. I learned a really valuable lesson as a researcher that day. No matter how important I think the research is, to myself or my field, if an individual or community or individual in authority over a community is not interested, there is nothing you can ethically do except walk away. Unfortunately, I was inexperienced, it was late (think like 4AM), and my calm, collected rationality dissipated. The exchange never became abusive, but it became apparent that I should have let it lie from the start. Very embarrassing for me. But I've taken something away from it, at least.
Luckily for me, I knew some individuals in the community, and through snowball sampling was able to reach my research quota for the case study. I now have 8 of 10 interviews completed, with the final two to happen before the end of the week, meaning all my interviews will be conducted and transcribed way ahead of schedule. My only concern is that I have asked the wrong questions, or not asked enough questions, or my participants haven't said enough. Time will tell! But I have definitely noticed some recurrent themes in their responses, which is good. Not entirely what I had anticipated either. It seems that using tumblr dating blogs for sexual intimacy is not the dominant objective. Based on my respondents, it seems that tumblr is positioned uniquely in the SNS arena so that its users can create intimate (see: supportive, non-judgemental) spaces where homogeneous interactions can occur. Of course, if a deeply intimate relationship can develop from these places, then it is welcomed. But the main thing is that marginalised people (sexuality, body type) have found a place which they can make their own spaces and interact with others like them - without having to resort to commercial, marketised alternatives to do so.
Of course these are only cursory findings as yet, the real statements will be laid out over the coming weeks. But I am excited to get stuck in to writing the next chapters of my thesis!
So, through the week my research encountered a snag. I won't go into a huge amount of detail, but sufficed to say an individual in a gatekeeping position declined to assist me in my recruitment from the online community he adminstrates. When I realised this denial may have come from a position of laziness, ignorance or apathy, I made the error of trying to get the individual to see the objectivity of my research. I learned a really valuable lesson as a researcher that day. No matter how important I think the research is, to myself or my field, if an individual or community or individual in authority over a community is not interested, there is nothing you can ethically do except walk away. Unfortunately, I was inexperienced, it was late (think like 4AM), and my calm, collected rationality dissipated. The exchange never became abusive, but it became apparent that I should have let it lie from the start. Very embarrassing for me. But I've taken something away from it, at least.
Luckily for me, I knew some individuals in the community, and through snowball sampling was able to reach my research quota for the case study. I now have 8 of 10 interviews completed, with the final two to happen before the end of the week, meaning all my interviews will be conducted and transcribed way ahead of schedule. My only concern is that I have asked the wrong questions, or not asked enough questions, or my participants haven't said enough. Time will tell! But I have definitely noticed some recurrent themes in their responses, which is good. Not entirely what I had anticipated either. It seems that using tumblr dating blogs for sexual intimacy is not the dominant objective. Based on my respondents, it seems that tumblr is positioned uniquely in the SNS arena so that its users can create intimate (see: supportive, non-judgemental) spaces where homogeneous interactions can occur. Of course, if a deeply intimate relationship can develop from these places, then it is welcomed. But the main thing is that marginalised people (sexuality, body type) have found a place which they can make their own spaces and interact with others like them - without having to resort to commercial, marketised alternatives to do so.
Of course these are only cursory findings as yet, the real statements will be laid out over the coming weeks. But I am excited to get stuck in to writing the next chapters of my thesis!
