Master
2021/2022
Research Seminar
Type:
Compulsory course (Critical Media Studies)
Area of studies:
Media Communications
Delivered by:
Institute of Media
When:
2 year, 1-3 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Master’s programme:
Критические медиаисследования
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
8
Contact hours:
96
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course aims to develop students’ research skills’ set required for a deep understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative approaches of digital cultures, media and phenomena. Specifically, it focuses on ethnographic approaches in research of digital and data communities, communications and cultures. Digital and data ethnographies provide important means for complementing more quantitative studies through the collection of in-depth and contextualized observations. This course reviews the ethnographic tradition in media studies to explore new opportunities and challenges that the Internet and the emerging dataverse have presented for contemporary research. It discusses novel methods that are being used to analyze web-based data and how a targeted use of these methods transforms both quantitative research as well as qualitative and ethnographic enquiry. Students will gain familiarity with techniques and approaches for identifying, collecting, interpreting and analyzing a variety of different types of data aggregated by and within digital environments.
Learning Objectives
- Students will understand the strengths and limitations of engaging in participant observation of digitally and data mediated communities
- Students will learn to identify, gather, manage, and analyze multiple types of qualitative data to support ethnographic research
- Students will develop necessary skills to design and implement digital/data ethnographic research project
- Students will understand the value and importance of research ethic requirements and procedures to carry on digital/data ethnographic research tasks
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to address ethical concerns and considerations associated with digital/data ethnographic research as well as properly justify their research methods and samples for ethical review.
- Students will be able to differentiate across a wide range of quantitative/qualitative and observational methods in order to select the most relevant for specific digital/data ethnographic research tasks.
- Students will be able to differentiate across data analysis approaches in order to select the most relevant to address specific digital/data ethnographic research tasks.
- Students will be able to identify and conceptualize their research goals as well as articulate their specific research questions in order to design their digital/data ethnographic project.
- Students will be able to identify, describe, analyze and gain access to digital and data communities for qualitative research.
Interim Assessment
- 2020/2021 4th module0.5 * Final Project - Research Grant Proposal + 0.5 * 5 Seminar group mini-projects
- 2021/2022 2nd module
- 2021/2022 3rd module
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Boellstorff, T. (2012). Ethnography and Virtual Worlds : A Handbook of Method. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=482161
- Hine, C. (2000). Virtual Ethnography. SAGE Publications Ltd.
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Hillyard, S., & Hand, M. (2014). Big Data? : Qualitative Approaches to Digital Research (Vol. First edition). Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=908919
- Mirko Tobias Schäfer, & Karin van Es. (2017). The Datafied Society. Amsterdam University Press.