Netnographic Slog
Active, participatory netnography, in contrast to passive netnography, is essential if researchers are to gain rich rewards from the rigorous collection of qualitative data. However, researchers should be aware of the ‘netnographic slog’; “the blood, sweat and tears” associated with eliciting qualit...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2018-10-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406918797796 |
| _version_ | 1818305656487149568 |
|---|---|
| author | Ruth Wallace Leesa Costello Amanda Devine |
| author_facet | Ruth Wallace Leesa Costello Amanda Devine |
| author_sort | Ruth Wallace |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Active, participatory netnography, in contrast to passive netnography, is essential if researchers are to gain rich rewards from the rigorous collection of qualitative data. However, researchers should be aware of the ‘netnographic slog’; “the blood, sweat and tears” associated with eliciting quality data and encouraging active participation in online communities. This article examines the – Supporting Nutrition for Australian Childcare (SNAC) – online community of practice, established to support healthy eating practices in early childhood education and care settings. To ensure research rigour, Kozinets’ netnographic steps were employed. Garnering member participation in this online community was a slog; most community content was contributed by few members, although accessed by many. The success (and failure) of the creative elicitation strategies implemented by the researchers to promote participation are discussed, and examples provided that could be used by other netnographers in online communities. A key consideration, however, appears to be the waning success of web-based discussion boards as an effective platform. Future netnographers should carefully consider the effort required to attract new community members and encourage participation. While SNAC is a unique resource, presenting an ideal platform to launch further initiatives, other more effective social media platforms that can support healthy eating in this key setting should be considered. If participatory netnography is to be successful, budding netnographers must be prepared to invest the blood, sweat and tears required to nurture emerging communities of practice. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T06:30:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e2df4529b2024bda96cef8e1dd4eee26 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1609-4069 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T06:30:03Z |
| publishDate | 2018-10-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| spelling | doaj.art-e2df4529b2024bda96cef8e1dd4eee262022-12-21T23:56:39ZengSAGE PublishingInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods1609-40692018-10-011710.1177/1609406918797796Netnographic SlogRuth Wallace0Leesa Costello1Amanda Devine2 School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, AustraliaActive, participatory netnography, in contrast to passive netnography, is essential if researchers are to gain rich rewards from the rigorous collection of qualitative data. However, researchers should be aware of the ‘netnographic slog’; “the blood, sweat and tears” associated with eliciting quality data and encouraging active participation in online communities. This article examines the – Supporting Nutrition for Australian Childcare (SNAC) – online community of practice, established to support healthy eating practices in early childhood education and care settings. To ensure research rigour, Kozinets’ netnographic steps were employed. Garnering member participation in this online community was a slog; most community content was contributed by few members, although accessed by many. The success (and failure) of the creative elicitation strategies implemented by the researchers to promote participation are discussed, and examples provided that could be used by other netnographers in online communities. A key consideration, however, appears to be the waning success of web-based discussion boards as an effective platform. Future netnographers should carefully consider the effort required to attract new community members and encourage participation. While SNAC is a unique resource, presenting an ideal platform to launch further initiatives, other more effective social media platforms that can support healthy eating in this key setting should be considered. If participatory netnography is to be successful, budding netnographers must be prepared to invest the blood, sweat and tears required to nurture emerging communities of practice.https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406918797796 |
| spellingShingle | Ruth Wallace Leesa Costello Amanda Devine Netnographic Slog International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| title | Netnographic Slog |
| title_full | Netnographic Slog |
| title_fullStr | Netnographic Slog |
| title_full_unstemmed | Netnographic Slog |
| title_short | Netnographic Slog |
| title_sort | netnographic slog |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406918797796 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ruthwallace netnographicslog AT leesacostello netnographicslog AT amandadevine netnographicslog |