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

[Erika Pearson]

interesting points

I used the word immoral as it has come up from time to time in the  
literature (and is what got me started thinking about this in the  
first place - what is 'immoral' in a religious discussion group may  
be grist for the mill on a slash fanfic mailing list!).  In a similar  
vein, what is illegal in one country is not in another - I am reading  
this because I am thinking about constructing a project that involves  
looking at online material which is skirting in contested territory  
regarding copyright - how can I satisfactorily define what is  
'illegal' and reportable behaviour for myself and for those my  
research brings me into contact with?  What constitutes reportable  
behaviour, in which jurisdiction, and where, when and to whom should  
I report?  Almost certainly the people I will be talking to will be  
under other systems of national law to me - do I have to familiarize  
myself with every legal system? (does grant money cover a legal team?  
*g*)

Like you said, making these things clear and explicit is important  
for building trust and rapport, as well as (I would argue) part of  
good practice of being a researcher, so thanks for your reply, Paul,  
it's certainly added grist to the mill (or fuel to the fire!)

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