Using online bloggs in research - suggestions for a novice?

[pearse mccusker]

Hi

I'm looking for tips on ways of using blogs as a means of data-gathering in research. 

 

I'm starting a project integrating mindfulness into the curriculum for SW students and hope to capture the in-situ experiecens of students on placement, in particular how they're using mindfulness to 'manage' situations that arise.  I'm not that familiar with the technical side of it and wondered if anyone had experience of this or suggestions as to how best to get the students to engage?

 

Thanks

Pearse

 

Pearse McCusker

Lecturer in SW

Glasgow Caledonian University

[Jill Anderson]

Hi Pearse

This documentary on blog analysis on the 'Methods at Manchester' site might (?) be of interest: 

http://www.methods.manchester.ac.uk/methods/blog-analysis/index.shtml

There's a discussion here too - on using blogs as a data source:

http://www.methodspace.com/forum/topics/using-blogs-as-a-data-sourc...

[pearse mccusker]

Thanks Jill - both are really useful. 

I was hoping to use the mhhe website as the forum for the blogs.  The students will be talking about fairly personal experiecens, thoughts, feelings, anxieties etc. and so it needs to be a 'closed' group.  What do I need to do to set it up?

Cheers,

Pearse

 

 

[Jill Anderson]

Hi Pearse.  That's a great idea.  What you need to do is this: Click on 'groups', then 'add'.  Fill in the information for the group - name, description etc.  Then, under privacy settings, it allows you to select an option so that non-members can see only the group description (ie not what is posted to the group).  Under 'members' select the option: 'only invited members' so that external people won't be given the option to join.  That's it!  Let me know if you run in to any problems or would like me to talk you through it on the phone.  That goes for anyone else too who would like to set up a group (open or closed) for students or colleagues who share an interest.  Best wishes, Jill