Sorry, this entry is only available in Nederlands.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Nederlands.

Labeling is a delicate issue. A label carries specific notions and meaning about that which is labeled. It usually decreases complexity, for good or for bad. We often need to reduce complexity in order to communicate. However, the mechanisms of in- and exclusion that are at work can easily distort the way a person feels about herself, the way somebody is represented and the aspirations of people or a person. In this sense labeling is innately political. Everybody encounters this problem in everyday life. Just consider the label “moderate Muslim” which we encounter more often these days. What preconceived notions are carried along and who is excluded is clear: A bearded Muslim praying five times a day and wearing a long qamis or a woman wearing a headscarf are surely not eligible for this label.

…continue reading May I call you Salafi?

I am regularly confronted with questions regarding the ethically right way to interact with research participants within CMC environments. I guess that many colleagues and also research participants are faced with similar questions. I figured out for myself that an “ethics of care” is a good choice when doing research in CMC environments. This leaves enough flexibility since it is not fixed how “care” is achieved. However, it requires constant (re-) consideration of procedures since the researcher cannot resort to fixed rules. Care means above all to prevent harm from research participants, to respect and to engage. How this is best done differs from field to field.

…continue reading Doing internet research ethically

As I have indicated elsewhereClick to read more on my page about “Research Methods”. on this site, there are many terms for and understandings of “that space behind the interface of a computer”: virtual world, online environments, cyberspace and many more. These terms are not as innocent as they seem for they carry implicit approaches and notions of “that space”.

…continue reading Behind the computer screen