The methodological affordances and challenges of using Facebook to research study abroad
Date
2019-02-28
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
John Benjamins Publishing Company
Abstract
Some study abroad (SA) researchers use Facebook as a tool to reach participants or as the site or context of research. In Dressler and Dressler (2016), we examined the linguistic identity positioning of one sojourner in Facebook posts over two sojourns. In this paper, we determine the methodological affordances and challenges of the social media site as both a tool and context of research. We conclude that for the original study, using Facebook enabled us to download large amounts of observational data and study the identity positioning over time. Throughout the data collection, analysis, and writing, we encountered challenges regarding ownership of data, the dynamic nature of Facebook over the two time periods of the study, the use of photographs, and our focus on the textual aspects of posting. From this analysis, we provide recommendations for the use of Facebook in SA research moving forward.
Description
Keywords
Social media, Foreign study, Education--Research, Facebook (Firm)
Citation
Dressler, R., and Dressler, A. (2019). The methodological affordances and challenges of using Facebook to research study abroad. Study Abroad Research in Second Language Acquisition and International Education, 4(1), 126-144, https://doi:10.1075/sar.17017.dre