19 Nov
2002
19 Nov
'02
8:29 p.m.
research methodology - justification internet and lying (SocAdmin) I think all research, be it 'on' or 'offline' is influenced by how people wish to present themselves in whatever mode we may use to explore them. Therefore, issues raised by your critics are to the degree. During the observational part of my research, I've sat with many a 9-16 year old watching them present themselves online as the gender opposite to their own, amongst boys this is often cited as the only way other girls/boys will talk to them in chatrooms! I think the difference here is that adopting personas is part of the appeal and is widely sanctioned compared with doing similar offline. Sue Cranmer Research Officer Institute of Education University of London