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This week we delved deeply into digital ethnography, a research methodology that enhances our understanding of identity and representation. Through studying...

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This week we delved deeply into digital ethnography, a research methodology that enhances our understanding of identity and representation. Through studying "Digital Ethnography: Principles and Practice" by Pink et al. (2016) and "Ethics in Digital Research" by Tiidenberg (2018), I gained a comprehensive insight into conducting online research while safeguarding privacy.

Our task involved conducting a small-scale digital ethnography to explore our own social worlds. I was particularly interested in how we define ourselves through digital tools and platforms, and how these definitions shape our social interactions and personal identities. In our workshop, we first discussed the concept of social worlds. I understood that social worlds are not only the spaces where we engage socially but are also networks interconnected through our digital media practices. These worlds are filled with complex interactions and are dynamically evolving, as described by Pink et al., existing as "relatively bounded—but never completely sealed—domains of social life." Our first task was to identify and describe an online community we participate in. I chose a Weibo comic fan forum, a community that rallies around comic enthusiasts. Through this activity, I attempted to analyze how community members strengthen their sense of community through specific jargon, emojis, and inside jokes. This led me to reflect on how these forms of interaction and shared knowledge constitute a distinct collective identity.

Furthermore, we employed Sumpter's (2018) method to categorize our friends' social media posts, which helped me understand how algorithms subtly shape our online interactions. This method, while revealing the structure of social media data, also exposed how algorithms limit our access to information through filtering and recommendations. In addition, we discussed the ethical issues involved in this type of research, especially the challenges of obtaining informed consent and ensuring anonymity. Tiidenberg's discussion made me aware that as researchers, we must carefully handle participants' data to ensure transparency and protect their privacy rights.

In conclusion, digital ethnography allows us to explore the social worlds of the digital age more deeply, understanding how these worlds are constructed and maintained, and their significance for individuals and society.