it seems like that for the class project I have finally decided to look at the financial blogs and how they are used. I have become really interested in this topic in the midst of the financial crisis developing in the States and elsewhere. It was interesting to find a whole new nich of bloggers who just blog about finances. From my personal perspective, finances as well as health issues, are two taboo topics in the western societies. It is fascinating how it is different from my own culture, where people are more open toi discuss their health (especially if it is bad, the assumption is that maybe somebody will give a really great advice how to cure it), and finances (where to keep money, etc. ) Maybe now, with the advancement of capitalism :( it is becoming slightly different than before. But anyway, with close friends it is one of the topics to talk about. In the U.S. it is less popular. So, where do people get this kind of info or advicde or some insights. It seems like that from financial bloggers. Some of them draw a lot of readers everyday!
For the class project, and possibly for the final final project I'd like to look into that phenomenon of financial blogging. How bloggers use their blogs, i.e. what kind of advice they give, what sources they link to.
Possibly that for this class I could run a pilot study - to look just at one or two blogs to help me refine my research instrument. From my perspective, this project fits our idea of field research, since we are looking at how people express themselves online. So, we observe and analyze their online activity, as any other activity. For the method I will use content analysis, to observe the textual (verbal) activity of the bloggers.
3 comments:
I like the idea of using this class as a pilot study. Let's talk about what you want to get out of this research, though, and not what will be "easiest".
For instance, you mentioned that talking about finances was "taboo"....I'd like to know more about why you think that. (I don't doubt that you're right, but I want to know why you say that).
Are these blogs giving advice? What is their purpose? You might even start there, as you note, comparing several blogs: what is their purpose? Who is their audience? How do you know?
I wonder, too, if you might try to interview the bloggers?
I'm eagerly awaiting new posts, Svetlana! :-)
Svetlana,
I really like your topic and think it will be fascinating to see what you uncover. Like Becky, I'm not completely sure about finances being "taboo," though you may be right. I think a lot of people go to "financial planners" who help them make investment decisions--maybe because it is not something we feel comfortable talking about with friends and family. I suspect there are regional and socio-economic differences between who does and does not talk about finances with friends in the US. Also, it does seem to be considered bad form to bring up the topics of finances with anyone who may be making less money than you--especially at work.
Anyway, I'm intrigued with your research and look forward to learning more about why these blogs exist and how they operate
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