Thread by @block_science

Discover the unique dynamics of #web3 communities thru Computer-Aided Ethnography #CAE w/ @kelsiemvn @mZargham @ElinorRennie.

link.medium.com/LhxAOCnjAxb

🔍 Explore how we can participate in decentralized communities on their own terms using digital tools & infrastructures.

📚💻 Computer-Aided Ethnography (CAE) is a research method leveraging digital tools of the field being studied to enhance traditional ethnographic practices by integrating researchers into practices of communities they are researching to improve accuracy & efficiency of research.

🔍 We can trace the roots of #CAE to the traditional method of ethnography in cultural anthropology & Computer-Aided Governance. #CAE is about how we can use computers to better understand and research the dynamics of complex systems that incorporate digital components.

💻 #CAE takes a new approach by not just observing, but engaging & processing communities' subtleties in digital spaces. A “Digitally Curious” method that integrates human-machine collaboration throughout the research lifecycle 🔎💬.

#CAE uses & extends computational tools of communities in digital spaces, following a participatory approach. This new extension to the field of traditional ethnography brings together community members & their digital tools to data collection & sense-making. 💡💻

Integration of new technology & ethnographer's presence affects the complex interplay between people & technology in the sociotechnical field-site. Although this improves data collection it also makes it harder to distinguish tech-created phenomena from pre-existing ones. 📊🔍

1️⃣st principle: Leverage digital tools & infrastructures used by research participants.

Utilize their tech to observe & gather insights. Become a participant-observer by using community tools to enhance research practices & findings. #ComputerAidedEthnography

2️⃣nd principle: Enhance research w/digital tools through community participation.

#CAE leverages computational methods for data collection, management, & analysis w/consent & benefit to community. Researcher must consider ethical implications before introducing new tools.

3️⃣rd principle: Techno-reflexivity in CAE is crucial.

It involves reflecting on both social & technological experiences in research practices. Researchers must consider their own role as participant-observer & “infrastructurers” when introducing new tech elements.💻🧠💬

4️⃣th principle: Utilize the digital tools used by participants.

Communication💬 & dissemination 📢 of research insights must align with community practices. Leverage digital platforms & culturally relevant approaches for effective communication.

Want to learn more about the impact of technology & ethnographer's presence in sociotechnical field-sites? Check out this article titled: "Towards a participatory digital ethnography of blockchain governance” by @ElinorRennie @yaoeo @joshuaztan 👀👇🏼

papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf…