Jennifr

Super Duper MA Dissertastical!

I’ve started working on my dissertation now (I’ve always been working on it, but this is me actually commiting that statement to writing.) So, working title - as follows:

Social Networking and Identity: A case study investigating the relationship between social networking software and the online and offline identity constructions of University of Leicester students.

Aims and Methodiddly?

Observe small-world network structures and collect data from facebook (groan - I didn’t want to use facebook, but the time and accessable problems, it is going to have to be I’m afraid - virtual ethnography - innit?) from student participants’ profiles - compare it with focus group discussions with the same students in an offline context. I’m going to find students to participant by handing out my daft little business cards about and offers of free beers. (Here, I’m more ethical than most!)

What I want to know?

The perceived effects that social networking software - such as facebook - has had on the way in which students at the University of Leicester have arranged their personal, work and university offline networks and establish any apparent benefits that can be used for any research I do for my Ph.D.

What will I do with the results?

Write them down on a piece of paper, soak them with flammable liquid and set fire to them in Vicky park on the 11th of August. You are all welcome to join me. BYOB.

And I have to say - this is exciting. I want a labcoat!

Chicken Straight Doooon!