ABSTRACT
Observational studies have traditionally been tied to social anthropology, in which yearlong field studies in foreign cultures have been the ideal for good research. Observation can be chosen simply on the basis of having good access to this kind of data generation, such as being a participant in a situation being studied. One of the challenges in observational studies is choosing the right time and place. Observational studies are at times strongly characterized by an extreme closeness between the researcher and the environment subjected to the research. Observation on the Internet requires specific ethical considerations that are somewhat different from research ethics in 'real-life' research. The interactivity of observational studies thus becomes quite obvious and potentially unpleasant; finding ways to do covert observation and at the same time make notes becomes both a practical question about placing oneself and an emotional question of role legitimacy.
