Paper short abstract:

Based on an ethnographic study conducted on Facebook groups for Vietnamese migrants in Taiwan, this paper focuses on my reflections on the challenges of virtual ethnography and my attempt to suggest new paths that can assist researchers in coping with the problematic aspects of virtual ethnography.

Paper long abstract:

The growing importance of SNSs and virtual methods of communications opens up new and exciting ways for anthropological research while simultaneously presents numerous methodological challenges for anthropologists. The redefinition of the fieldsite proposed by internet-based studies and the expanded possibilities of conducting qualitative research requires a thorough examination of whether the traditional practices of anthropology are adequate for such research. By partaking in internet-based research, we choose to share and alter online spaces in which we research. Goodin (1985) suggested researchers are responsible for those who may be affected by our actions and choices, therefore, we must take into consideration how our participation in the internet-based fieldsite will affect the research process, the research participants, and ourselves.

Based on a virtual ethnographic study conducted on Facebook groups for Vietnamese migrants in Taiwan, this paper focuses on my reflections on the challenges and dilemmas of internet-based qualitative research. The paper describes the methodological issues resulting from Internet-based qualitative research. By posing the questions: how to position oneself as a researcher, how to deal with the identity of participants, how to manage data when anonymity is not enforced, and how to manage the boundaries in research relationships between researchers and participants, I reflect on the way in which researchers share and alter online spaces in which they conduct research and attempt to suggest new paths that can assist anthropologists in coping with the problematic aspects of internet-based ethnography.