The mind over the Web: The quest for a method for Internet research

Risultato della ricerca: Contributo in rivistaArticolo in rivistapeer review

13 Citazioni (Scopus)

Abstract

Psychology is increasingly interested in understanding the characteristics of the Internet and its effects on people, groups and organizations. However, studying the Internet is not a simple task. First, the Internet is a medium that can be experienced in many different ways. Though a computer and keyboard are usually the mediator of our Internet experience, there are different ways in which users can explore the Internet, present themselves, and communicate using it. Second, the Internet is a social and cognitive space. The handling of information is linked to the activation of psychosocial relationships in which cognitions are elaborated. This happens inside a rather special kind of container--Cyberspace--which tends to rarefy the structural and process features of communication. Third, the Internet experience is always situated in a specific context, even when we are chatting alone in a room. In this sense it can only be fully understood through detailed analysis of the social context in which it happens. Starting from a general three-level model of interpersonal interaction in the Web, this paper tries to define a model of data analysis (Complementary Explorative Multilevel Data Analysis--CEMDA) suited to the constraints of Internet research. The main characteristics of the model are: the focus on different frames and objects for each considered unit of research; the mixed use of quantitative and qualitative tools; and the final integration of results in a general framework.
Lingua originaleEnglish
pagine (da-a)7-16
Numero di pagine10
RivistaCYBERPSYCHOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
Volume4
DOI
Stato di pubblicazionePubblicato - 2001

Keywords

  • internet
  • internet research

Fingerprint

Entra nei temi di ricerca di 'The mind over the Web: The quest for a method for Internet research'. Insieme formano una fingerprint unica.

Cita questo