Applying and Extending Qualitative Inquiry to Internet Research As the number of academic studies utilizing qualitative research methods on internet data has increased, so have the questions and issues surrounding how one does research in/on online sites. Experienced researchers and novices grapple with multiple issues as they adapt, modify, and develop various research methods to online venues including chatrooms, instant messaging, blogs, social utilities, webpages, games, and 3-D virtual worlds such as Second Life. How does one identify sites for one's study? What sampling procedures work best? What software is to be used in internet research? What are the benefits and weaknesses of using particular methods? What issues arise when adapting a particular qualitative method for use in/on an online site? We call for abstracts and papers that address these issues for a panel or series of panels, at The Fourth International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry (QI2008) - Ethics, Evidence and Social Justice (http://www.icqi.org/) that will take place at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from May 14-17, 2008. In particular, we are interested in presentations that look at qualitative methods and the difficulties researchers encounter as they do or have done internet research. Our focus is not on results; rather we are looking for colleagues interested in sharing knowledge and discussing challenges of the "nuts and bolts" of internet research. The list of qualitative methods to consider includes but is not limited to: -- Discourse analysis -- Ethnography -- Interviews and surveys -- Narratives and biographies Interested parties should email 1000 character (approximately 150 words) abstracts for each paper or presentation by November 15, 2007 to the organizers. Please include the following information for each author with your submission: Author's Name, Department, University, Address including City, State/Province, ZIP/Post Code, Country (if not US, please specify if you need a visa for travel), Telephone/Fax, E-mail. Lois Ann Scheidt and Inna Kouper (Organizers) Doctoral Students School of Library and Information Science Indiana University lscheidt at indiana dot edu inkouper at indiana dot edu