Guiding the E-Researcher: January 18-29, 2010

Sampling, Identity and the Dog

Sampling, Identity and the Dog

by Janet Salmons -
Number of replies: 4

Following on the post about ethical research online, I want to launch a discussion about sampling and identity. Whenever I discuss the idea of conducting sampling activities online, and then interviewing people online, inevitably the question arises: "how do you know the research participants are who they say they are?"

After all, on the Internet dogs are free to mingle unnoticed...

Internet dogs

What do you think? Are you concerned with identity of research participants, and what steps do you, would you take to ensure that you are selecting and interviewing the desired participants?

©2002 The New Yorker Collection from cartoonbank.com. All Rights Reserved

In reply to Janet Salmons

Re: Sampling, Identity and the Dog

by Bronwyn Stuckey -
I am fascinated that you posed this question. I have never considered nor struck any kind of subdefuge from my interviewees. In all cases I have had contact with them and, as your book suggests, have developed some rapport/relationship with them to make the interview process more relaxed. I am not sure other than in examinations or work interviews why we would need to verify the identity of an interviewee.


In reply to Bronwyn Stuckey

Re: Sampling, Identity and the Dog

by Emma Duke-Williams -
I agree with Bronwyn that it's an interesting question to pose with regard to interviews ... it's something that we often have to consider with regard to online learners - especially assessing them online.
The other point is, of course, even in face to face interviews, we might know *who* the person really is (we we might not - depending on whatever!), but do we know that they're saying what they really think ...
In reply to Janet Salmons

Re: Sampling, Identity and the Dog

by Jeffrey Keefer -

Janet-

I have loved this cartoon for years; I think it is humorous / honest on many levels.

I find that I try to corroborate something about the participants with some other manifestation of online identity. My research has thus far taken me to a lot of blogs and other evidence of social media, and when I make a call for participants, I often ask people who show some interest to tell me a little about themselves first.

However, to your question, I do tend to research people who already have a social presence or are recommended by others I know (as you mentioned in your text). I am not sure how I would do this with those who do not already have some form of public profile (and have not given this much thought, since that is not where my research is right now). Interested in seeing what people think about this.

Jeffrey

In reply to Janet Salmons

Re: Sampling, Identity and the Dog

by Jeffrey Keefer -

To this same question, I am wondering if anybody has seen this issue not addressed in a paper or presentation, and the question about identity of the sample being raised by reviewers or attendees? It seems like such an obvious issue now that the question has been raised, though I wonder how many people raise it as a question (yet)?

Jeffrey