Researching online dating: Instant messenger and email in consideration

In this chapter the authors discuss two different online interview methods (IM and email). The chapter is based on the authors' experiences in conducting a qualitative research project online, with a particular focus on online dating and sexual health. They also provide discussions on the benefits and challenges of each interview method and how the methods compare to each other. They provide examples from their interview transcripts and from the field notes they took during the project. The authors argue that there continues to be an expansion of Internet usage and increasing uptake of high speed broadband in various places. This may mean new populations become accessible for online interviewing and also increases the possibility of researchers moving beyond text-based interviewing to online video interviewing. Yet regardless of these changes, it will continue to be important for researchers to make an effort to determine which method is most appropriate to the environment, users' preferences, and research questions.