Dear all, A while ago, some of us discussed the possibility of organising a workshop on online research methods at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy. It now seems likely that such a workshop will indeed be organised in Spring 2010 (exact dates t.b.a.). Since there may be a wider interest among members of this list, I've pasted a small excerpt of the 'notice' that I sent around here at the institute to see whether there is enough 'in-house' interest: ------- The current proposal consists broadly of three different elements: 1. The *implications of the internet and mobile technologies for social scientific research* (i.e. how does this ‘connectedness’ affect social organisation more generally) 2. *Research explicitly on online groups, communities and phenomena* more broadly (either as a standalone project or as an element of a wider study) 3. *Specific methodologies* that aim to *deal with* the ‘online world’ or *take advantage of* the possibilities that these ‘new’ technologies offer for social science research In discussing these different aspects, we are currently considering a number of topics for inclusion into the programme. With regard to *methodological tools*: online survey design (possibilities, advantages, limitations), ‘digital (/virtual) ethnography’, online focus groups and interviews, online social network analysis, using social media for participant/respondent sampling, and applying quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research designs. With regard to the range of *specific topic*s, we are currently considering (among other things): online communities (e.g. diaspora communities and/or 'virtual' communities), ‘weak tie’ social networks, blog(osphere) research, the relationship between 'online/virtual' and 'offline' relations, online governance, and technology and society approaches. ------- If you're interested in participating, or if you have suggestions for the workshop (topics, methods, people, etc.), please just drop me a line at this address or at jeroen.moes@eui.eu. Have a good christmas/newyear, Jeroen __________________________________________________________ Jeroen Moes PhD Researcher, Department of Political and Social Sciences European University Institute <http://www.eui.eu/> Via dei Roccettini 9, 50014, San Domenico di Fiesole, Florence, Italy Jeroen.Moes@eui.eu | www.jeroenmoes.eu