Bias

The testing of assumptions was of particular concern here as my role and regular use of social media makes me an “insider”, in anthropological terms, in the practices examined. Although the authenticity of the concept of an “insider” can be disputed (see Cerroni-Long, 1995), the related idea of acknowledging “multiplex subjectivity” (discussed in Narayan 1993) is helpful here, echoing the complexities associated with performance of multiple roles (Goffman 1959). As an existing user of social media sites I bring a range of existing experiences and expectations to bear on my research. There are advantages of “insider” status such as understanding some communities and interactions, jargon, technical affordances and limitations of specific social media spaces. There are also disadvantages, particularly as subjective experience of a community, space or experience could influence or distort my understanding of others’ experiences.

To understand this research it is important to understand these subjectivities, these factors that feed into the framework (Eisner 1992) that I use as a researcher. I am, for example, invested both philosophically and financially in reinforcing the relevance of social media in everyday life and working practice given my role as an enthusiast for such technologies. As a user of social media I may be biased towards or against particular spaces based on personal experience. I have, however, taken conscious steps, to attempt to reduce the impact of any of these potential biases, and to represent the evidence gathered fairly.

Some participants in this research were known to me, either through personal or professional contexts, prior to the beginning of the research process. I have endeavored to be fair in my analysis of their responses, achieved partly through anonymising responses prior to analysis. I cannot know to what extent these participants may have been influenced by our existing connection to provide responses that would particularly engage or appeal to me, an issue which can arise in volunteer recruitment (Rosenthal and Rosnow 1975) particularly as close contacts were part of this volunteer cohort.

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