
Hi Nune,

When you say you have ensured the data is anonymous, does this mean you won't be using any direct quotes? The use of any direct quotes may compromise the anonymity as the would likely be locatable through the use of a search engine.

Similar to Phillipa's comment about a breast cancer site, I believe this work on breastfeeding also allowed forum users to opt out of the data collection process.

http://www.healthpromotion.org.au/journal/journal-downloads/article/1-hpja/416-using-an-online-service-for-breastfeeding-support-what-mothers-want-to-discuss 

http://lrc.asn.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40389 


Cheers,
Danielle



> Philippa Smith <philippa.smith@aut.ac.nz> wrote:
> 
> Dear Nune,
> 
> Unfortunately I can't remember the reference for you (someone else 
> might), but I remember reading in a book about a researcher who analysed 
> a publicly accessed site where women with breast cancer shared their 
> experiences.  Although no password was required, the researcher felt 
> ethically bound, if I recall correctly, to contact those on the site 
> about what was being analysed because it was dealing with a sensitive 
> issue.  I therefore believe that care must be taken depending on the 
> content of what is being researched.  Nothing is ever black and white 
> with Internet research. This area of ethics and the Internet is ongoing 
> and given the technology is still relatively new, a lot more discussion 
> will ensue.   I would also query if there are any copyright issues 
> regarding people's posted photographs if you are going to reproduce them 
> as well as their comments. Presumably your academic institution will 
> guide you on this.
> 
> Having said that I have been analysing comments on  a publicly 
> accessible archived blog discussion for my PhD research and have 
> interviewed both the blogger and moderator as they brought insightful 
> information to my research - particularly regarding my interpretation 
> which was often quite different to how they saw things.  I felt this 
> added objectivity to my research. 
> Good luck with your research.
> 
> Kind regards
> 
> Philippa Smith
> PhD Candidate
> Institute of Culture, Discourse & Communication
> AUT University
> Auckland
> NEW ZEALAND
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org 
> [mailto:air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of Nune Nikoghosyan
> Sent: Monday, 27 February 2012 11:05 a.m.
> To: Jeremy hunsinger; Charles Ess
> Cc: Air list
> Subject: Re: [Air-L] seeking advice regarding research on photo-sharing 
> websites
> 
> Dear Charles, Dear Jeremy and all those who have replied to me off-list,
> 
> Thank you all for your kind advice and consideration!
> I'd just like to clarify one point: the site's content is completely 
> public, freely accessible to all visitors, with no need to create an 
> account. All you'd need in order to read (and, eventually, analyze) any 
> comments is to open the page and click on a photo. It's similar to 
> viewing a "public" photo on Flickr and reading the comments that follow, 
> with no need to sign in. So I didn't need to create an account for 
> accessing the material, nor did I need a permission for such an access. 
> The (ethical) question poses only now when it's about publication.
> 
> Thanks again,
> Best regards,
> NunÃ© Nikoghosyan
> 
> 
> On 26 February 2012 20:19, Jeremy hunsinger <jeremy@tmttlt.com> wrote:
> 
> > Well, I think he should ask permission, but mostly because it is the 
> > ethical option.  I expect that if he explains his use is non-profit 
> > and research oriented, he'll be fine.
> >
> > I think that I would suspect that he would need to seek a lawyer's 
> > opinion as to whether the terms of use actually apply to his case at 
> > all, it is not always clear that they are enforceable across borders, 
> > or that all of there terms are legal across borders. I am not a 
> > lawyer, so i am just skeptical about it.
> >
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Danielle Couch
m. +61 450 422 161 
dlcouch@optusnet.com.au

