Methods of blog research: Behind the scenes As the number of studies on blogs has increased, so have the questions and issues surrounding how one does research on these multi-faceted online sites. Experienced researchers and novices grapple with multiple issues as they adapt, modify and develop various research methods. How does one identify blogs for one?s study? What sampling procedures work best? What software is to be used in blog research? What are the benefits and weaknesses of using particular methods? We call for abstracts and papers that address these issues for a panel or series of panels, at the AoIR Conference 2007 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In particular we are interested in presentations that look at methods ? qualitative or quantitative - and the difficulties researchers encounter as they do or have done research on blogs. 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 blog research. The list of methods to consider includes but is not limited to: -- Content Analysis -- Ethnography -- Social Network Analysis -- Interviews and surveys -- Narratives and biographies -- Discourse analysis Interested parties should submit 250-500 word abstract for each paper or presentation by December 15, 2006 to the organizers: Lois Ann Scheidt and Inna Kouper Doctoral Students School of Library and Information Science Indiana University lscheidt at indiana dot edu inkouper at indiana dot edu