You are here

Researching Digital Life
Share

Researching Digital Life
Orientations, Methods and Practice



March 2024 | 328 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
*DRAFT* 
This multidisciplinary textbook introduces you to the interconnectivity of digital space, technology, objects, people and data. It provides a theoretical framework for grounding your understanding of digital life.

You will be introduced to relevant methods for exploring digital life and, by explaining their benefits and disadvantages, you can select the most appropriate method to answer your research questions. 

The authors provide:
Non-Eurocentric perspectives and case studies from diverse disciplines 
Annotated further reading to help you situate your research alongside existing research in your field 
An outline of future directions for researching digital life.
 
 
Orientations
 
Introduction
 
Methodologies, Ontologies and Epistemologies
 
Research Design and Implementation
 
Research Ethics
 
Methods and Approaches
 
Interviews, Surveys, Observation and (Auto)Ethnography
 
Walking Methodologies, Walkthroughs and Audits
 
Arts-Based Methods
 
Participatory Methods
 
Historical Methods
 
Data Visualisation and Mapping
 
Data Analytics
 
Methods in Action
 
Apps and Interfaces
 
Social and Locative Media
 
Mobilities
 
Smart Cities
 
Digital Labour
 
Conclusion
 
Final thoughts

“The pervasive digital mediation of everyday life presents unique epistemological, methodological, ethical, and practical challenges for social science researchers. This text offers researchers a thorough and greatly-needed critical review of these issues, along with vital guidance for undertaking studies of digital life.”

Sarah Elwood-Faustino
University of Washington

“This book represents a pivotal moment in digital social research. By exploring a comprehensive range of questions, methods and means of data generation and analysis, it captures the present and future of social research. Thoughtful, thorough and reflexive, the text insightfully details how to make sense of our digital lives.” 

David Beer
University of York

For instructors

Purchasing options

Please select a format:

Order from:

ISBN: 9781529601657
£32.99
ISBN: 9781529601664
£90.00