Information and communication technology platforms as an experimental paradigm in cyber-bystander research: A critique of methodology

Abstract

The investigation of bystander behavior in response to cyberbullying is a developing area of research that is still in its infancy. To advance this area of inquiry, researchers can use information and communication technology (ICT) platforms, such as simulated social media websites, as an experimental paradigm to facilitate and measure the behavior change of cyber-bystanders in a controlled virtual environment. However, this is a method that remains under-utilized by researchers and it remains unclear why. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to use the '5 principles of cyberbullying research' as an informed and empirical framework to systematically identify the methodological shortcomings that contribute to the underutilization of ICT platforms in cyber-bystander research. The final section of the paper builds on these 5 principles by critically analyzing the unique features of ICT platforms to outline ways in which researchers can design paradigms that are informed by both theory and practice. Overall, this paper aims to further develop the types of experimental methods that are used in the field of cyberbullying to create new avenues of research.