Clare Madge- University of Leicester Clare- Hi. From outset we are aware that you are here for a variety of reasons- interests in ORM (expert to novice), methodologist experts, cyberspace researchers, teachers and trainers, so at start of first presentation want to say from outset have a variety of presentation types to hopefully cater for everyone here. So this first presentation is an introduction tot eh project. Clare Madge- University of Leicester

Structure of presentation Background to the project Tour of the site Module detail How can it be used? Evaluation

1. Project background Programme: ESRC Research Methods Programme (Phase 2) Period of project: April 04 to July 06 Total amount of award from ESRC: After indexation: £100,360.59 (1st round) The project team: -Clare Madge (Geog) -Henrietta O Connor (CLMS) -Jane Wellens (Educational Developer) -Rob Shaw (Learning Technologist) -Tristram Hooley (PG Training Coordinator) -Julia Meek (Evaluation Consultant)

Project aims To produce and evaluate a high-quality online portal to provide training in online research methods; To act as a self-supporting online resource focusing on web-based questionnaires, virtual synchronous and asynchronous interviews; To draw on successful good practice case studies, cover ethical issues of online research, provide resource links and technical guidance.

Why ORM? Training in ORM recognized area of need with a current shortage of provision. E.g. recent Consultation Exercise by National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) and ESRC Postgraduate Training Guidelines (2005). Prior to the launch of the “Exploring Online Research Methods” package no training programme in ORM existed.

2. Tour of the site: Key sections Site link Jane- you could run through main parts of site at same time? 4 main parts- into, background, resources, modules Clare- Intro introducing online research methods (what they are, why use them, our general approach- caution-) -site overview (background, who should use site, (post grad and above, novice and experienced, individual self-paced learning, or part of generic training, teachers/trainers), what is and is not included, how site was designed, (different users in mind- either dip in and out or work systematically, learning activities or not, user friendly, ) accessibility, internationalization (non-Anglo sources, trailing Tanzania, Hong Kong, Australia, external consultants to specifically bear this in mind in elevating site, avoid use of culturally specific figurative language and idiom- but of course is a language bias- at some point translate into Japanese, Chinese) -How to use site (site conventions, site styles, heading types, module content site functaities, how to use accessibility features)

Modules Module index

Type of content Methodological complexity Case studies Learning activities Resources Referencing systems Print version

3. Module detail- example http://www.geog.le.ac.uk/orm/index.htm

4. How can site be used? Stand alone for individual researcher. As part of training modules. Training events- workshops etc. Characterised by flexibility learning styles and strategies and differing levels of experience of research in general and on-line methods in particularly.

5. Evaluation Critical view External evaluators. Rigorous evaluation. Social Science Information Gateway/AoIR Google statistics: 3 month period (3 Apr - date) Requests = 21000 Average request for pages per day 426 Distinct hosts served = 6100 From 70 countries (30% UK, 18% commercial) Peer feedback To be determined? Usage and quality of research. Jane- click on into page here and let a few quotes come along as I’m speaking. Click on external evaluators when I mention this. Leave running on intro page as I go through next few slides until slide 12. Clare- To be determined- we need to tread with some caution and practice the craft with reflexivity. Online research not replace onsite research but just adds another option in methodological toolkit of social science researchers. Depend on credibity of findings.

www.geog.le.ac.uk/orm onlinerm@le.ac.uk