Abstract
Observation of online forums is a relevant methodological approach for researchers in several disciplines. However, ethical guidelines on such observations challenge the ethically concerned researcher. In this paper, I reflect on how I carried out my observation of an online weight-loss forum, and how I could have conducted it differently to meet ethical standards and the demands of high-quality research. After receiving approval from the forum administrators to observe the forum, information about my project on obesity was posted online. Some of the participants reacted negatively to my presence in the forum. This paper draws on the evolving discussion between researcher and participants on the complex issue of research ethics, particularly informed consent, in studying closed forums on the Internet. It is suggested that evaluating whether participants are harmed is more important than the public/private divide when considering whether informed consent is necessary.
Highlights
Through the Internet, web-based communities can appear and exist beyond the limits of time and space (Szmigin & Reppel 2004)
Huge amounts of data are accessible, but ethical guidelines differ on three main issues: (1) online spaces as public or private, (2) obtaining informed consent from participants, and (3) assuring anonymity in published research (Knobel 2003: 190)
I suggest that a more pragmatic approach may be more ethical than an approach that requires informed consent
Summary
Through the Internet, web-based communities can appear and exist beyond the limits of time and space (Szmigin & Reppel 2004). Huge amounts of data are accessible, but ethical guidelines differ on three main issues: (1) online spaces as public or private, (2) obtaining informed consent from participants, and (3) assuring anonymity in published research (Knobel 2003: 190). My experience from earlier studies (Tjora, Henriksen, Fjærli & Grønning 2012; Grønning, Scambler & Tjora 2013; Grønning 2014) is that people are generally positive towards participation in research projects in real-time, physical space. In these projects, the participants consider that contributing to research is important and the chance of being harmed or having their identity revealed is minimal. I suggest that a more pragmatic approach may be more ethical than an approach that requires informed consent
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