Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is used when the mass media observe what people say and do. Qualitative research is used because it is good at telling stories from the participants' perspectives. Blogs are written for the masses to read about what others say and do. Blogs are used to tell stories from the writers perspective. Do you see the same connection here that I do?
This type of research and blogging have become paired very well together since blogging has become more and more popular. According to the article "Entering the blogosphere" (this article, by the way, is very interesting and I highly suggest people look into reading it when you have the time) blogs have become "a valid addition to the researcher's toolkit." Blogs can be used in a number of different ways to help with qualitative research.
One example the article gives is comparing a blog to a diary. Diaries, for a number of years, have been used for research purposes. But, they have been hard to find because as we all know, diaries are meant to be kept private. Blogs, are like an open diary to the world. Our thoughts, opinions and daily routines are jotted down and are not hidden in the bedside table under lock and key. This gives researchers an easier way to conduct research without having to go through the hassel of attaining a diary.
Blogging offers a "new and exciting frontier for social research" it is going to become a great assest to researchers when conducting research of the qualitative type. Blogging and qualitative research are a match made in cyberspace heaven.

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