Online Research Methods in Psychology: Methodological Opportunities for Critical Qualitative Research

Abstract

This special issue showcases the contributions of mostly early career researchers to illustrate the methodological opportunities and challenges that arise in doing critical qualitative research on the Internet. As we discuss, the articles included in this special issue demonstrate innovative qualitative methods that can be applied to Internet research and the steps that need to be taken to conduct rigorous and ethical qualitative research, from a critical psychological perspective. This special issue focuses on a range of methodological issues that can arise while conducting qualitative research online. The authors are seen to acknowledge the power relations that shape online spaces and relationships, and to reflexively and continually consider their roles in data collection or generation. The articles presented in this special issue also highlight ways in which critical qualitative researchers can innovatively negotiate the ethical issues that can occur within a dynamic context, and challenge the status quo through conducting this type of research. Online spaces continually change and present ongoing opportunities and challenges for researchers, yet, this special issue illustrates how critical qualitative researchers are well equipped to continue developing this line of research.

Keywords:

• online research
• qualitative methods
• reflexivity
• ethics
• Internet research
• critical psychology

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tracy Morison

Tracy Morison, PhD, is a Senior Researcher at the Human Sciences Research Council and an honorary Research Associate at Rhodes University in South Africa. Her research interests include sexual and reproductive justice, families, qualitative methodologies, and feminist theories.

Alexandra Farren Gibson

Alexandra Farren Gibson, PhD, recently obtained her PhD in critical health psychology from The University of Queensland. She is interested in social constructions of health and illness, cancer, women’s health, gender and sexuality, and using critical, qualitative methods.

Britta Wigginton

Britta Wigginton is a PhD candidate in the School of Psychology at The University of Queensland. She is interested in stigma, motherhood, reproductive health, and gender.

Shona Crabb

Shona Crabb (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Adelaide. She is interested in qualitative and critical approaches to gender, health promotion, public understandings of science, and risk communication.