Gathering data on the Internet: Qualitative approaches and possibilities for mixed methods research

This article outlines the range of possibilities for conducting qualitative interview, observation, and documentanalysis data-gathering procedures in an Internet-mediated research (IMR) context. It considers the range of approaches, tools, and technologies for supporting such research, as well as the advantages and disadvantages incurred in using the different techniques. The article argues that mixed-methods approaches are valuable, and that these may benefit particularly from being adapted to an IMR environment, since the cost and time savings that IMR affords may be especially useful in supporting research which is typically high in resource demands.