Chapter 3 Choosing Information & Communications Technologies that Fit the Research Design Janet Salmons, PhD

Objectives After reading and reflecting on Chapter 3, you will be able to: Compare and contrast characteristics of online communication tools. Differentiate between synchronicity, synchronous, near synchronous or asynchronous ICTs for data collection. Evaluate ways to use nonverbal communication online. Assess options for online research settings.

Characteristics of ICTs relevant to online research Some forms of online communication focus on written exchange. These include technologies that allow for live conversations or posts as well as traditionally written documents, articles or books. Here we will categorize these tools as text-based ICTs. Other forms of online communication allow for a wide range of visual and/or verbal exchanges. These include technologies that allow for the use of multimedia or graphical elements. Here we will categorize these tools as multi-channel ICTs.

Characteristics of ICTs relevant to online research Text-Based Communication Multiple Channels for Communication Blog: Blogs can be text only or include links, images or media. Researchers can share information about the study with participants, or view logs to collect extant data. Global Positioning System (GPS) or Global Information Systems: Researchers identify locations of interview-related events, or map location-related data. E-mail: Researchers can send and receive questions and answers. Researchers can also collect extant data from email discussion archives. Podcast or Vodcast: Researchers ask and answer questions by exchanging recorded audio or video files. Forum: Researchers can post and respond to questions and answers in a forum or observe activities or collect extant data from current discussions or archives. Shared Applications: Researchers and participants view and discuss documents, media, or examples by logging in together.

Characteristics of ICTs relevant to online research Text-Based Communication Multiple Channels Text Message or Chat: Researchers can post and respond to questions. Researchers can collect extant data from discussions or archives. Social Networking Site (SNS): Researchers can communicate with participants or collect extant data. Wiki: Multiple authors add, remove, and edit content, use a blog, forum or a space for text chat. Researchers can collect extant data from current discussions or archives. Videoconferencing, Video Chat or Call: Researchers and participants see each other while conversing. Researchers can observe live or archived records of events or webinarr. Virtual Worlds or Games: Researchers ask and respond to questions as an avatar, experience immersive events or phenomena, and/or view examples or demonstrations. Web Conferencing: Researcher can use videoconferencing, chat, shared whiteboard or applications for questioning or visual elicitation.

Time to respond? Synchronous Asynchronous In studies that involve interaction with human participants, such as those using elicited or enacted data collection methods, it is essential to think through the ways we’d like to communicate verbally and nonverbally, and how communication styles align with the purpose of the study. Synchronous Asynchronous Is it preferable to receive answers to questions posed in real time? If so, we need to select ICTs that permit synchronous dialogue. When deciding to use synchronous technologies for research, it is important to clarify whether we expect singular focus on our conversation, that is, synchronicity, or do we acknowledge that the participant might be multitasking during the interview or focus group? Is it preferable to allow participants to reflect on our questions and respond in their own time? If so, we need to select ICTs that permit asynchronous responses. When deciding to use asynchronous technologies for research, it is important to clarify how much time is acceptable between question and response. Do we expect a near-synchronous exchange within hours, or do we allow days or weeks for the response?

Use the time-response continuum to match approach & ICT

Nonverbal communications online Nonverbal Communication Characteristics Nonverbal Communication Online Chronemics refers to the use of pacing and timing of speech, and the length of silence before a response in conversation. Timing of post or message and response. Paralanguage or Paralinguistic communication describes variations in volume, pitch, and quality of voice. Style and tone of writing. Sound, tone and inflection of voice in live/recorded audio. Kinesic communication includes facial expressions, eye contact or gaze, body movements, or postures. Expressions and gestures may be conveyed in images, videoconferencing or by the avatar. Proxemic communication describes the use of interpersonal space to communicate attitudes. Sense of presence conveyed online. Movement, sense of space may be communicated by the avatar.

Choosing online research settings Researchers collecting data from participants need a safe, neutral location for data collection. Some general questions which researchers should consider when choosing technologies to use when communicating with participants include the following: Access Do people in the target demographic generally have access to the online setting, or will it exclude many potential participants? Comfort Will the participant feel comfortable, or will additional time be needed to familiarize the participants with the ICT? Restrictions Does the online community have codes of conduct or norms? Does a community manager or host need to give permission?

ICT Choices in the context of the Qualitative eResearch Framework The choice of ICT(s) relates to almost every other area of the research design. Some technologies fit better with particular methods and data collection protocols than others. For example, a synchronous interview requires different characteristics than a written questionnaire or observation. ICTs permit collection of written, verbal, visual, and/or multimedia data. The type of data relates directly to the purpose of the study: can a particular type of data allow the researcher to answer the research question? Each technology brings with it potential ethical risks for protecting participants’ identities and data. Finally, in studies where human participants are involved, recruited participants need to be able to access and comfortably use the selected technology. Given the importance of this decision, do your research and make a careful choice!