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Accepted Paper:

Ethics of Internet ethnography  
Aleksi Hupli (University of Tampere)

Paper short abstract:

The aim of this paper is to reflectively evaluate and discuss Internet Research Ethics from an ethnographic standpoint. Recent online research concerning drug user experiences is used as a case study to reflect especially on the ethical issue of informed consent.

Paper long abstract:

In any scientific research involving human subjects the issue of ethics has to be thoroughly considered. Researchers have to conduct their studies in a manner that respects the autonomy and integrity of individuals involved. Online research ethics should follow much of the same general ethical principles as offline research when it comes to research with human subjects. Their application can however differ to some extent. I will provide reflections of some of the ethical concerns I have encountered in my own multisited ethnography that includes both online and offline field-sites. For instance during my observation at AD(H)D peer support groups I discovered that internet plays a major role in the lives of adults with AD(H)D in Finland. I discovered that the peer support groups had formed non-public Facebook groups where they discussed issues concerning their life with the diagnosis. I will particularily look at the ethical issue of informed consent in this research setting.

Panel P49
What is the future of the field-site? Multi-sited and digital fieldwork
  Session 1