ONLINE RESEARCH 2009
ONLINE PANELS AND BEYOND
CHICAGO / 26 - 28 OCTOBER
Bloggers as research partners
Nick BuckleyJosephine Hansom
Alison Palmer
Abstract
Bloggers pursue their practice to varying degrees, act with widely differing motives, express their identities quite distinctively, connect with their readers in diverse ways, and observe different conventions one from the other. In spite of this diversity, we believe that bloggers have something in common, some kind of innate blogging DNA. This paper will expand upon conventional methods of online interaction by engaging with bloggers, in order maximise the potential for carrying out research with them, and to determine what issues need to be taken into consideration by anyone wishing to explore and interpret the views of this particular sub-group of the online community.
Nick Buckley
Nick is Director of New Social Media in GfK NOP and is responsible for maintaining the Company’s understanding of new web2.0 developments and for developing new platforms and techniques to exploit these. He is active in encouraging a social networking culture to improve collaboration and knowledge sharing throughout GfK NOP. He holds a PhD in Philosophy and a BA in English Studies/Philosophy from the University of Nottingham. A former Whitehall civil servant dealing with social policy, Nick spent several years in internet product development and delivery with agencies, broadcasters, major UK retailers and at UpMyStreet, before moving into market research.
Josephine Hansom
Josephine is a Research Manager at GfK NOP Social Research with a keen interest in qualitative online research methodologies. She has worked in social research since 2005, managing projects on behalf of Government departments and agencies. Josephine is a dedicated qualitative researcher coordinating policy evaluations, stakeholder consultations and communications reviews. As well as regularly presenting at company events targeted at qualitative clients, Josephine presented a paper at the Social Research Association Conference in 2007, co-presented a paper at the General Online Conference (GOR) 2009, as well as co-authoring an article in the Market Research Society magazine ‘Research’ in 2006. She has a BSc in Social Psychology and is currently working towards a Masters in Public Policy at King’s College London.
Alison Palmer
Alison is Deputy Managing Director of GfK NOP Social Research, and leads a team of qualitative specialists who carry out research assignments for UK government departments and other public sector bodies. She has delivered presentations and papers both with and to senior government ministers and lectures on workshops. Alison is passionate about research and keeping pace with trends in the industry, including online developments. She has an MA in Psychology / English from the University of Aberdeen, a post graduate qualification from the University of Strathclyde and is a Full Member of the Market Research Society.