[Air-L] virtual ethnography

[Pearse Stokes]

Hi,

Just to respond to a couple of points -

"sorry but i don't see how "webnography" as laid out by Puri has
anything to do with ethnography; nor does it sit in the same arena as
Hine's virtual ethnograhy. Puri's text sits in the realm of market
research--the goal (to sell more product) comes before the
observation. it's hardly social science.

-robert"

I agree completely Robert, Puri's "webnography" is most definitely a market research endeavour, but since it is so prolific, and since so many ethnographers may be employed in this arena, I would imagine an awareness of Puri's work would be a good part of a syllabus. 

"About the "graphy" part of "virtual ethnography", i can't agree with your
statement of impossibility."

I don't think the 'graphy' part of 'virtual ethnography' is impossible (I don't think I said that did I?) but it's very rare that good virtual ethnography is performed in its complete sense. I don't think it is a very robust method in terms of validity and generalisablity.

I hope that clears up my stance on virtual ethnography. Also, if people have any good examples I'd love to read them!

Pearse