Reflection on method

The request to view online materials, focusing on particular group, had an overall response of around around one third, with a better response from currently active students. The older groups only garnered one or two responses. The documentary group of 13 produced six positive and two negative responses, with the remainder not replying. This is enough to gain a good overview of the group. I will describe the group’s interactions generally and use the consenting members’ posts to illustrate.

The documentary group can be placed within a general description of the types of interactions and purposes of the other groups in the site. To quote or reference particular posts from these groups will require another, possibly vain, attempt to gain permission for use. With the initial response to the request to use online materials plus the permission from interview subjects to use their posts, I will have a good number of individuals that I will be able to examine and quote in detail.

It is difficult in an interview to strike a balance between not imposing one’s own ideas and maintaining a relaxed, conversational atmosphere. I think that I have been reasonably successful in allowing the interviewee to choose their topics and responses. However, I did find myself adding some leading phrases, usually based on what the interviewee had mentioned; in trying to ‘reflect’ the interviewee’s ideas, I may have re-phrased them in a way that was not necessarily meant, evidenced by hesitant replies such as ‘yes, I suppose…’ The tone of responses guides analysis. In addition, I have caught myself jokingly referring to some discussions as 'begging letters', producing disapproval in the interviewee and breaking the cardinal rule of impartiality.

Five interviews have now been conducted and at least another four are planned, two with lecturers and two with members of the documentary group. With feedback from my supervisor and a work colleague, there will be a chance to improve interview technique, although I have been pleased with the overall results of the interviews, which have been fairly relaxed and conversational.

Asking about expectations rather than barriers or obstacles seems to be an easier way of eliciting information. Expectations that were or weren’t realised are an ‘in’ into people’s sense-making processes.