[Air-l] Research question: interviewing online subjects?

[Erika Pearson]

Hello all

I've been reading the general sociology literature on conducting  
interviews as part of a research project, and some of the literature  
I have come across makes a point of noting that interviewers should  
be warning interviewees that any illegal or immoral behaviours  
uncovered during the course of the research/interview may be reported  
(for example, Adler and Adler, 2003).

My questions in regards to this are:
1)  Are those who have or are conducting online interviews or even  
interviews about internet issues making a point of such cautions? ( I  
suspect the two approaches have two separate answers).  What are  
others' experiences of this as practice?

2)  If so, what is the benchmark for classifying acceptable and  
unacceptable behaviours? (i.e.: the laws and norms of the  
interviewers context?  Those of the physical jurisdiction of the  
interviewee, if known?  The norms of the virtual group, network, or  
community under study?)

I browsed through the AoIR Ethics Committee document on Internet  
research, and (as I read it) there seemed to be an implication that  
the physical jurisdiction of the research subject was the prime  
candidate for setting a legal or ethical standard more generally in  
regards to proper treatment of research subjects, but that was just  
my sense on a first reading.  I would be very interested to hear the  
thoughts and experiences of others on this matter.  I admit, as I was  
reading this, my first thought was 'who would I report it to anyway!'

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

with thanks
erika

  ~~
Erika Pearson
Dept. of Media, Film and Communication.
University of Otago
P.O. Box 56
Dunedin 9054
Aotearoa/New Zealand
Ph: (+0064 3) 479-8680
E-mail:
erika.pearson at otago.ac.nz